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"Maple Grove" Warwick February 19th 1858
Dear Sister Abby I will try and write you a few words - I am well. Mother and Mary are also well and here we are in the sitting room. Mary is sewing at the lightstand opposite me, and is looking thoughtful & happy - Mother is near us, seemingly in a cheerful mood, and is looking smart, but this cold weather makes us all feel rather pinched and we have to keep a good fire to be comfortable - Mother says some of us ought to write to Abby. She often says so, and this evening I have taken my pen to comply with her wishes and my own - I have been reading to Mary from the Waverly since supper but have laid reading aside wishing to write a few lines ere I retire so that I can send my tomorrow's mail. Chandler & Rhoda have gone to make a call at Mr. Jones - They are well - They desired Mary & I to accompany them but we concluded to stay with mother. Wednesday eve however we four went by invitation to Mr. Gilbert Stevens & spent the eve very pleasantly. Joseph Green & wife were there also N. E. Stevens & wife. We had a pleasant time. Twas very cold but good sleighing - We have had two weeks of severe winter weather. Plenty of snow for good sleighing here but little or now snow below at Athol - They are trying to get up a Sleigh Ride - I don't know who will go - Our folks think we had not better join the party and probably we should not - I was over to Emilys & Samuels a little while Wednesday P.M. They are well. Their school closes or rather has closed today - I guess from what I have heard that they have not had a very good school
[written on the left-hand side of the page] I probably shall go somewhere soon & probably to Boston - No engagements yet - I have just heard from Concord They are well there and all well in Boston & vicinity except little Sammy Belding at Mary's - I have not received any letter from A. since I came up, nor from any of the cousins except from Concord folks. If you write to me, send to Warwick & if I am not here they will forward to me - Charles