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is now at Noah Sparhawk's in Bucksford. Charles could not sell the Oxen. Hired 72 dollars of Jo Chase at 24 per cent interest. He would probably have been able to sell them, but there had not yet been any sledding - every prospect of another rain now - do few teams have gone into the woods, and a part of those have been frightened, or obliged to come out by small pox. Lumberers will make a poor winter's work unless there come snow and cold weather soon. Charles went to Bangor yesterday. Started with a sleigh. Will probably hire a wagon before he gets there. If there comes a bit of snow, I expect to go to N. next Monday. Stay only a week or two. Take a peep down to Hampden etc. In your letter was one sentence (ejaculatory apparently!) which we could none of us understand. viz. "Oh Hiram! my ears! my ears!" Please explain.

                  I can't help feeling glad that they keep you in the Office instead of making you trudge about in the woods. Do you like to have me glad? Oh, I forgot to tell you that Sarah Parker from Foxcroft teaches the school in the Hobbs Neighborhood. Won't she conclude she has got bit? Mr. Buker came and besought me to teach it, but I steadfastly  refused. I must'nt write much more or Mother will begin to make complaint again. Have nearly filled one sheet, but after all written nothing worth sending. Must say as Sip, Furber did was learnt to wrote nonsense when I'd nothing else to write. I forgot to tell you about Theodore Furber. He has been at Wisconsin two years. He & his wife have both been sick more than half the time. When they wrote last, he had been confined to the bed eight days with billious fever, Frost destroyed their corn, and to crown all prairie fir burnt up all their wheat while he was too sick to take care of it. They are pretty much discouraged I guess. Should think they'd wish themselves back to N.E. How many people there are in the world who have more trouble than you and I do! 
              'Tis getting late. Good night - Write again some, won't you?
                                                                                                                   Affectionately
                                                                                                                  Sister Lucy.

Please to observe that the lines of my paper are much nearer together than yours - consequently a sheet contains more writing. I speak not of the worth of our respective epistles, only the number of words! L.H.M. [left-hand side] Jan. 1st Happy new year to you brother. Intended to have sent this by yesterday's mail. C. got home from Bangor today. Folks are well- Another real rain storm to carry off what little snow there is.