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where it really came near to me, to my own heart & feelings. I was not old enough to feell my father's death much. The death of Almeda's husband did not seem to come very near to me or affect me much, not so much as it ought perhaps. Joseph's lameness has seemed to affect me more than any thing else in my experience. It is somewhat sickly in this vicinity nowadays. Fevers are prevalent. My business might perhaps claim for me an exemption, but I have thought best to offer my services in taking care of the sick. Circumstances have never happened to require me ever to watch with a sick person; but I have thought it my duty enjoying health as I do, and with the perfect ease of keeping awake any length of time without fatigue, to accustom myself to such services, as I have opportunity The Autumn here has been of the very finest, very long continued warm & pleasant weather, which I suppose has helped the short crop of hay very much. The first snow was not until less than a week since. For two or three days there has been some sleighing, but I believe it rains this evening. You ask if I correspond with any of the Warwick friends. I do write to & hear from Cousin Joseph frequently. He is doing finely on the Rail Road, Has charge of Depots, Freight &c on the Branch. I do like him & his wife very much. I have also written to Warwick occasionally & receive answers from Maria, who is the only one who writes. But I have understood that Aunt Esther hopes I shall not marry Cousin Maria !!! wherest I am greatly frightened. It is really amusing how people {the great foolish many} I suppose having nothing in their heads to think of, will keep thinking & talking of that subject of matrimony. Nine out of ten seem to have no other idea in their heads. Sometimes it is amusing, sometimes ridiculous, sometimes vexations. A young man in my situation it seems cannot speak to a lady without it being town talk & I verily believe if I should break my leg it would not excite so much feeling or curiosity as if I should order my horse and ride off of an evening, without telling where. It is quite amusing to witness & feed such curiosity