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[right-hand side] Isaac 1845 Richmond I received at Turner exactly $60.00. The school could be be limited to 50 if the teacher chose. I turned out some when the house was too crowded, but concluded it was not best to do it. One's reputation is all the better for a great school, and it is not necessarily harder for teacher with 90 than 40 scholars, schools of that class. One can but be busy, and in either case is not obliged to be but so many hours. But the Wages are fixed, it is not Tuition, but a Trustee'd fund supports the school, just so much per year.
It is hardly fair to tell the $20,00 per month though. Wages are so low here. $60,00 per term is more than &75,00 would be in Penobscot, for such a school. As I said I got $60,00 at Turner.
$25.00 sent to Joseph for borrowed money "18.00 paid J. Carey for my watch, paid 2 dolls " 2.75 Boots - thick stout ones, keep my feet dry " 4.75 Balance pay for my coat etc. last fall " 2.25 Postage Bills two last term " 2.75 Stationery etc. " 1.50 Washing Bill. " 3.00 Travelling Expenses __________ $60,00 Total paid out. Written on the left hand side and bottom of page] Of course, as you may suppose, my Pockets are not much heavier for the $60.00! However I have never been entirely without and I now have $2,50. I shall get $36.00 here. Which is not a cent more than seem to must have without paying, any of my term bills. The different Society bills, I must I will pay whetherorno. probably some 18 or 15 dollars, ought to pay more $20.00. Some to clothes I must have at any rate, books, furniture, incidentals. etc. I do not know what they will do if I do not pay my term bills. they can but turn me out. they cannot sue my bondsman for I have never given bonds. and wont if they turn me out for it. I suppose there is some $50.00 or 60 against me on the term bills. $25.00 or 30.00 I shall never pay and I told them so. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ However I ought not to complain or to worry. I have a good success in whatever I undertake, and am blessed with health & strength above others, most others in my circumstances. I weigh about 170 lbs am stout and rugged, capable of enduring fatigue & exposure to cold & wet. I never take cold, dress & sleep with half the clothes others use, always sleep with my window raised etc. etc. to the fright & astonishment of all the old women. I like to work beside, unlike other literary men my indolence is entirely mental. If I get to work threshing or chaffing, it is difficult to stop. But, I have to keep school, & worse yet have to, or ought to study while teaching! I do not know as this long mess of nothing at all is worth the reading, in fact I know it is not. I do not know but it will be tiresome to you, but if it is I hope it will provoke an answer if it cannot coax one! Do write to me. Affectionately Son I.S.