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                                                                                      July 9

Dear Joseph

              you are truly a real good feller

you are an excellent brother to me

                   Just as I was going to school this morning, word came to me that a man wanted to see me at the door! I went and behold Mt. J. Hatchkins. he brought me a letter from you. You is a coot boy. Mr. e.c. ought to be ashamed you schold about "fault finding" but you must remember that I wrote that a long time ago, when you did not write.  one letter staid at C. et H. about a week before I -d it you know.

You have been an very excellent boy lately, but I have not heard from Mother or Eliab for some time. I should like to see your E.C. Barnes letter! I be greatly lament your fine boat, I had hoped to give in? I told ye to hide it in the bushes, why didn't you? Go and steal it from him? It is generally too bad, bad, Bad, Bad, BAD! or Rope, Anchor, paddle, everything at all.

This is the way I make a J with a J a C this G to. [upside down here] Mothers If it will plase ye I will make them better the way it dont look so well though

 I has a very great hope to see you face to face, in a spell, it is so long since I only converse with you, that I have almost forgot how you look! not quite  good boy  

We are just commencing Greek now I am a good mind to apologize to you for scolding so as you say! but I was got rather impatient you see, besides I had nothing else to write, hardly! I have not had time to send your H. on P. though yet. I meant to have sent this yesterday but found no Chance. I guess this page looks! }out it} to [written across letter] June 1839 Mr. Isaac S. Metcalf

                                                               Bangor
                                        At Mr. Asa Walker