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note: right hand side cut off in places Field is First Assistant & in fact has almost entire charge this end of the line. I have, as I said, been with Field abou[t] since I came on; have aquired his confidence, respect & [edge of page missing]ship. He has come to consider that I am always in the [edge missing] can succeed in doing whatever I undertake, and [edge missing] my opinion is one that can safely be followed, in fact is so {edge missing} to rely upon me in things he does not himself understand, whic[h][edge missing} know is considerable for some men. My advancement [edge missing] to myself almost surprising. A friend of mine, who graduated [edge missing] Bowd a year before, with highest honors, President of a College Society went into Engineering St Lawrence Lewiston Falls & Waterville. He has the Nod for the year almost it is usual I expected it; should perhaps have been all the better, to acquire by long practice & habit a minute acquaintance with the minor details, as the foundation of a thorough import[ant?] and valuable profession. But I have been on the road about three months, and I believe have already carried the level self about as many days as I have the Rod hours! I been in the office perhaps half the time or more for the past ? months. I am not of course an elegant draftsman: [that] requires long practice and careful training but I have co? curate in calculations, quick and clear sighted in [onometry] &c. You spoke of my wages being low. Wages lower here much than in Maine. Common wages here for R.R. asistants is $1.00 per day, boarding themselves, they may work 30.20? days in the month. Those engaging in the business permanently intending to become Engineers, usually receive about $30. per When I commenced I made no sort of stipulation about wages.. how asked for a chance to work went straight into it, ready willing to do anything and everything to make myself useful to my supcut off and Employers. I happened to be thrown in a poor party where I was best able of any one to assist by my knowledge or skill, calculations any one; and also the most able bodied if a tree was to be c[ut] or a log moved. I told Edwards this. As it happened he had never ? with me. But his answer was simply "I know it." He paid me at first Pay day at the rate of $33.00 per month boarding myself.