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Isaac Feb. 2, 1857. DuQuoin Elyria Ohio DuQuoin, Mon. Eve. Feb. 2d 1857 My Beloved I did not get any letter today. None Saturday. I wrote a slight letter to you yesterday Sabbath P.M. Mailed this morning; but I believe I must write some more tonight. I did intend to work outdoors today laying off lots, but it is rather colder, & the ground still frozen so much that we concluded to put it off. So this forenoon I spent in Keyes & M's office, Mr Keyes being absent. I only sold one Town lot for $50.00 and did not get the pay down for that. This afternoon I mounted "Old Jenny." You remember Mr Keyes old mare that you & Mrs Keyes used to drive' - and took a ride. Stopped a spell at the Upper St John's coal mines, Mr. Ashley's place originally. Had quite a conversation with Mr Tuttle one of the Proprietors, who happened to be present. They are evidently quite afraid of the R.R. Company commencing to mine here for themselves; and no wonder. I do not know but it is to be hoped they will not, - for the interests all around. By trying to monopolise they might injure the business all around, and themselves in the end. Tuttle thought the R.R.Co. had much better attend to their freight business. You know the business of the road has