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a black cat into the water, hang up a serpent &c. Likewise when they are sick they get one to blow and throw cold water on them and mutter over talk that cannot be understood. Every year when the green corn, beans &c are large enough to eat they dance one night and torture themselves by scratching their bodies with snakes teeth before they will eat any. When they go to each others houses they will stand and peep through the fence till some one goes out and inquires what they wish. Their living consist cheifly of pounded corn, sweet potatoes, and some meat. Their dishes are made by themselves of clay first hardened by burning then glazed by the smoke of meal bran, eight or ten will often get around one of these on the ground with one wooden spoon, one will take a mouthful and pass it on to the other. Many about this station are more civilized. Some come to meeting and appear as well as white people Others dress in the Indian manner with maucassins for shoes, and handkercheifs around their heads for turbans. But I have learned that the white people were once as degraded as this peoples and that encourages me to think that this nation will soon become enlightened. I hope. I feel thankful for the good that missionaries are doing in bringing the word of God to this people. I fear I am taking up to much paper. Please write to me when you write Miss A. Your Cherokee friend, Elizabeth Taylor

Miss Abigail Parker