.MTIxNw.OTUxODc

                                                                                                                                                       Bangor Dec. 20th / 46

Very dear Brother

               Your last letter was joyfully rec'd Thanksgiving eve, as also one from Tip Furber. I know not whether Mother or any of the folks have written to you since that time or not. For my own part I have found no time to write before, and am writing now Sabbath day between meetings when I ought to be better employed! My pen is also poor my ink not good and fingers cold, so you may expect an interesting letter.
                 If you have not had letters from home recently, you will want me to tell all the news, and if you have, you can hear it over again. Ann and Eliab went home to spend Thanksgiving week, and "Sister Albina" spent the day at our house too. A busy, confused week. Worked hard of course to get a good dinner, & harder still to eat it! Ann went home determined to take me back with her. 'Cordinly' here I am. She needed my assistance in school, and I board at a place (Sidney Thaxters, Houlon St.) where half a dollar per week is paid in tuition - three children go to Ann's school - and I knit & sew evenings to pay the rest.
               The oldest child, a girl nine years old, is lame by nature - can with difficulty walk, and one reason they wanted me to come is on account of helping her to school. I have a very pleasant situation - will be very beneficial to me on many accounts. Very clever people here I guess. Open hearted, generous sort of folks. My greatest source of uneasiness is for Mother.  She wants my company as well as help. She must feel very lonely. Do try & write to her often, won't you, also to me. We are very much indeed obliged for Proverbial Philosophy. I like it exceedingly. No book you could have sent would please us better. I help Ann some in school, & some I draw & study French. I don't know as a knowledge