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The Mother to her own Dear Son Aug. 5th

 you want to know about Charles's Haying - he went down after Boobar once before you went away I believe- well he did not come & didn't come - So last monday he went again found he had hir'd out with another man for money and he promis'd Charles should have the money soon. I expect it will be good when he gets it. Mr. Ricker has not help'd him any till today- he has had no help but John. It has been dull cloudy weather most all the time since you went away 

a pretty good hay day today only a shower about middle of the afternoon, & wet the lot of hay so they could not get it in so the hay is to wet to rake up etc.

   we have had hot weather a remarkably good time for things to grow the corn and vines etc. My Tomatos in particular look finely I expect to feast on them by & by - the early peas are ripe & gone we sav'd them along for Josie the others, and string beans are now. I have been writing a letter today to Mr. Dole for Joseph with this same pen & ink do you think he can read it? wont it be nearly as legible as his (Doles) last letter.

9 Aug you see I've got some better ink now if I was only a penman and had some good ideas to write however it is not as if you was not going to have any thing of the kind from Joseph. You didn't perhaps call on Antoinette at least you give us at least some slight reason to suppose so as you did not say a syllable about her. Dont you think I feel interested in her welfare in every respect - one beauty Elm that in the corner of the dooryard is dead. The garden dont look so neat as when you were here but the things grow finely. I hope you will do your duty carefully to Alfred he will bear being a favorite a Confidant / i.e. he is faithful I guess I guess but of course you may not have such an appearance much [left-hand side] you say you are not going to kill yourself I hope you will not only not kill yourself but be very careful of your self