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I am occupying considerable space with the story of mt planning for the future. Aug. 1} This is the morning of May day. It is rainy - but - the sun seems half shining, and I am thinking the clouds will all fly away before noon. The birds are singing very sweetly, as they do every morning. We usually open the doors for a time to hear their music more plainly. We need no caged birds to sing to us - for we have the "merriest trills" of the happy, free songsters.
I have been tracing out on the map, the various railroads you have mentioned. I should think it would puzzle you to recollect the names of so many, and yet they seem to be constantly multiplying. You ask if I should not prefer to be in New England. I should indeed. I hope you will be able to obtain the situation on the Hartford and Fishkill road, which you think would suit you so well. Perhaps this delay, which seems so unpleasant, will secure you the very place you will like best. I do hope you will not be low-spirited, and I think you cannot be very low, for I imagine you are one of those who "carrieth his sunshine with him." You say you do not wish to get upon another such road at the N.H. Central. Now let me whisper in your ear, that I feel quite happy that you were once located thereon. I think I was at Concord when I last wrote. I painted three pictures while there - two were quite large. Two were landscapes and the others a representation of a little boy "tired of play"- I enjoyed my stay at C. very much. I think it was a benefit in many respects. Father saw Mr. Tilley a short time since. He has much to encourage him among his people - a number are to unite with the church there next Sabbath. And there still continues to be a great deal of interest. Is there preaching still at Milo? I am glad your dear sister seems to be gaining at all. The spring weather is said not to be very good for those in feeble health. It seems to affect Mother somewhat, but I think she will be well as usual, when Summer comes. I need not say I should have been happy to see you at D. But I do not much wonder that you did not come, for I think Dunbarton may be as difficult of access as was the place you mention where you found your relatives in N.Y., and I do not know as there is any prospect of anything better. It would be very pleasant to enjoy your society for a number of days, or as long as you could stay, now that you are out of employ. This is a fine place to study. But I must stop. From your own Antoinette.