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                                                                                                                                                                                Milo May 25 1844.

Dear Brother Joseph

                                 We rec'd your letter Thursday night, and as Charles is going to Bangor Monday, we will get your trunk ready to send by him.  You write for all you papers, books, manuscripts. etc. but I supposed you would not want your Temperance Tales, old Journal, Herbarium etc. So I have not put them in Nor any papers & books except those which were already in your trunk. I could not find the mate to your mitten, so I put in a pair of striped ones that Mother knit last Winter. They are rather small, - I am afraid too small for you, but I guess you can wear them. Charles says yours is dangerous business about cutting hands, and getting them torn to pieces by the machines. You must be wonderful careful. I will put in some finger rags as you requested, but I hope you will not have occasion to use them. Issac went back to Foxcroft last Monday. Charles had rather a serious time with his foot for a few days, but it is better now, although he cannot wear a boot. He thinks the nail will come off before it gets well.
              The same day you went away I believe, there came along an Englishman & an Irishman this way, said they had had no money since the Sat. before, were in searchg. work & could find none. Charles took them in, gave them a breakfast and set them to work.  They both worked the remainder of the week for two dollars in money, digging well, making mortar etc., which when they recieved, they went off to Bangor to redeem their clothes which they had pawned there for their board. The Irishman agreed to come back this week & work for C. at 7 dolls. per month, but he came not, I know not why.

[left-hand side] I forgot your other mittens, so we put them in. I don't believe you will be away 7 months without once coming home. I suppose if you want anything, if you write, we can have opportunities, occasionally to send a bundle to you.