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to use his leg fully; think it will teach him a good lesson, learn him to lay aside his exploits, keep away from the water & other dangerous places. Out of the five months and half that I have been here two months have been spent in the sick room of Myron and Jesse. Mr. Weaver has been like a father to them and better than most fathers for he has been so handy and active in helping take care of them. They surely should be very grateful to him and ever strive to carry out his wishes as regards them - selves. Jesse will be through on the railroad in a few weeks then I think the plan you proposed for him will be just what he will like and best for him. We are determined he shall get into some other employment for he is becoming very rough and slovenly in his dress and rough and careless in his appearance, has no opportunity of going to church or into good society but associates continually with coarse irreligious men. We expect Myron as soon as he is able will go to Hannibal to live with one of our universalist friends there and learn to engrave upon marble and sculpturing. this is the only trade among all the trades he is willing to learn and this he wishes to learn and Mr. Dean's family he likes (he has visited them) and they like him so we think it best for him to go and that we cannot do better for him than to give him a good trade. He is so young now he will have time enough to study a profession after he is through if he chooses. Will it not be a great relief to us to see these two boys permanently and use- fully situated.

P. S. I was about to say you cannot imagine the care and anxiety and unhappiness they have given me since I came here but I think you can for you know their peculiarities. Am glad Lydia is liked at Marietta, is to remain, and be with Mr. Holden's folks. Cannot bear to have that school go out of our family hands. Am glad Erasmus is prospering so well - is he still dealing in liquor? Feel as if I could not have him make his money in such a way. Had a letter from Mrs. Lord a short time since.