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is far from society, too far for my social nature, there is not a young gentleman or lady in the place, save Sarah, unknown nor scarcely any for miles, in fact I know of but one lady & one gentleman in the whole town I would care much to visit with, thus I live, & have live, all my life. There were some young folks once though, but they are all married now. Do you believe Mary that we were born thus to live isolated & alone, & die, unloved & uncared for. No it cannot, cannot be, if so why were such strong affections implanted in our hearts. I fancy I shall not live thus always at least, I hope to live sometime where I can attend church - a privilege I have been deprived of entirely for nearly a year, - a privilege which above all others I prize the most. I love the means of grace, I love "the droppings of the sanctuary" I hope I have learned to prize these blessings more, by being so long deprived of them.

  How are you now, still improving? I really hope so Sarah wrote you were quite well & spending a short time with your brother Robert. Mrs Nevins wrote the same & said Roberts health was quite poor. I was sorry to hear this. I hope he is better now. Are you assisting R in his business matters? if so when you get your trade learned & set up for yourself may I not come & learn of you?

Pale writing along left margin: Monday morn. Am feeling very well this morning hope you are too. I'm so lonely when I do not have a letter from some of my dear friends. I think of them often I go to bed & wonder if they are sick &c &c or whether they have forgotten me. Please do favor me this once at any rate, wish me early safely? M.

Upside-down at top of page By "new years" I hope to hear from you.