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my notions,"you learned folks" ought to have something of more depth & value on which to depend for success in life. Am I right? If not, enlighten me. Well, having discoursed upon moral policy & sentiment at a great length, I will now answer some of your inquiries about my school etc. I got honorably through & closed up my business Friday Aug. 29th. Buchanan and some others desired me to stay & keep private school another month, but I prized my freedom too much to be again enslaved. I gave my scholars books the last day & every scholar in school save Oscar Whitcomb! returned some little trifle for me to keep as a memento. That was of course, quite gratifying to me. I could tell how well they like me you know, by the pains the parents took to fix up something to give. Mond. afternoon, before the close, we had a Pic Nic. Some 50 or 60 present including the scholars. Very pleasant time; principally under direction of Mr. james, who came into school two or three times talked to the children, found a Cold Water Army etc. Folks in that region, you know are very queer, remarkably unsophisticated etc. Did'nt 1/2 of then know what a Pic Nic was -never one of them been to one but me. I took the sole charge, making preparations, selecting a spot etc. Some called it "Pig beat," others "Pig mean," "Pit Nic, Pic Nit, and so on. Laughable business, I assure you. However, we got the table prepared in fine style, in a beautiful grove back of Mr. Edison's house, & about 3 o'clock Mr. James came up from the City. Parents & scholars, all who went, except a 1/2 dozen young ladies, Garmans, Lydia Giles. Emma Clark etc. who staid at the grove, assembled at the schoolhouse & marched in procession, shalled by the minister & school- ma'am to the grove, where we were recieved by the aforesaid young ladies with a spirited cold water song. We had a beautiful swing out there on two tall trees. We sung, laughed & talked eat & dranked etc. & Mr. James read my old Temperance Address , which I had new moddelled to render it appropriate, & then rendered public thanks for "Miss Metcalf's able Temperance Address."

    We had, in addition, sundry toasts by Miss Metcalf & the Misses Garman. It is astonishing how those Dudley folks have acted this Summer. They would'nt go to the Pic Nic by the way, I understood by way of Mrs. Philbrooks many lies they tell about you. Many thing they say you said about me  which I know you never said. They say you praise me up so much & said so much about me, my beauty etc. that when they came to see me, they were actually disgusted with me could'nt bear the sight of me etc. Query, which is the most disgusting in appearance, Mary Jane Dudley or I? For awhile I thought perhaps the fault was my own, in part; & finally overcame my feelings so as to call there, although they never called on me. I have an excuse as Octavia was sick. Mary J. & Juliett treated me with base civility. Susannah came into the room & sat down, her back almost towards me & spoke not a word. I inquired kindly after Juliett's health etc. and took my leave without being asked to stay longer or to come again. Mrs. Berry Dudley had a long talk with me the night before I came away.  She told me she was up stairs with Juliett when I first came there & heard all that passed below. - her feelings were much hurt, she could have cried for me herself etc. Said after I went away, & Mis. J. Dudley came up stairs she told her she did wrong, she feared my feelings were hurt; Mis. J. Dudley said she did'nt care, hoped they were etc. She said they were strange girls. She did'nt blame me at all for the course.