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                                                                                           "Parker's" Goffstown N.H. Feb 15. 1850

Dear Brother Joseph

  I will take the time to write you a letter hereabouts. I had a very pleasant Journey on Monday, Only overset once in the Stage in getting to Waterville. The travelling was bad not frozen enough to bear over the old drifts etc. Got to Waterville at 2+ Portland at 7. Remained at Portland, Elm House from Monday Night till Wed. Morning: as I had some business there, wanted to see Alvin C. Morton Esq. and to visit the A.& St. L.R.R. Office. Mr. Morton had invited me to see some of their Plans etc.
Wed. 13th. I came around here. Wed. Eve at Manchester heard Lyceum Lecture by Harry Giles, Subject "Books" You have heard of the Hunchback? Have you seen or heard him? He introduced the subject with some old story bringing in three questions

"What is a book?" "Would you know a book if you saw one?" "Would you know how to read a book if you had one?" Yesterday was that miserable Valentine day which of course I have nothing to do with.

 Well I suppose you are all asking what I am doing and what I am going to do. I find a terrible lack of money here, but at the same tine great hopes for the future. They are very confident of being