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left side of letter Miss E. A. Rich Bangor Feb. 27th March. 1848
right side of letter March 19th 1848 Northfield
Bangor Feb 27th 1848
My Dear Brother I wish I could stop in upon you this eve, and see where you are, what you are doing, and especially what you are thinking of. I do not know whether to imagine you at some public house in Brattleborough or Northfield, or among the cousins at the latter place; you say so little about our friends there, that I hardly know whether to conclude they receive you into their hearts and houses, and take a cordial interest in you and your concerns, or not- perhaps you do not enough claim and respond to, that interest, in which case it would naturally be witheld: I believe I do but half like your situation, according to my impressions of it- wish you would write me a particular diary of a few days, in especial references to your social position, enjoyments and experiences. H ave you a definite prospect before you for the ensuing year or season and when can you, and shall you obtain leave of absence to visit this region? It seems a great while since I have heard from you,- it is longer than I meant it should be since I have written; it has been near the close of the term and that brought increases of labour and cases,- I said to myself- in my week's vacation, I will appropriate a day, and have a real good time in writing letters: but behold, my previous vacation in all expended to its last evening- the days have slipped away, I hardly know how-- the 'plying of the needle'- woman's allotted lark- engaged a considerable portion of the time together with calls connected with school- one half day & rather more I spent in reading one of Scott's novels- for me a strange & hardly justifiable employment: I have enjoyed my week much in my pleasant room, with nine bright fire in an open fireplace, instead of a light air?) stove. I shall begin my lark again with good courage,- my school is pleasant and flourishing: I have great reason to be thankful for my good success hitherto