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                                                                                                           Brattleboro'. Oct. 30th, 1847

Dear Cousin,

  When I was at Winchester I believe I promised to write to you. I certainly intended to write as soon as I found my self permanently situated any where.
 I have been an Engineer on the Vermont & Massachusetts Rail Road for some five weeks; but I have been employed about in different places on the line, and have hardly been stationary any where. My time has also been pretty constantly employed; by day out on the line, in the fields or woods, and in the evening making calculations and so forth. Still I intended to write to you long before this time. I have felt so little acquainted with most of my relatives, that when I have an opportunity to see them, I feel disposed to prize, and to make the most of their acquaintance.