This is Lucy Maria writing. The blacksmith sent word he was waiting to
sharpen the colt, and father had to go. He’s glad of it, because he
never likes to write letters. I’m glad you are going to dancing-school.
Learn all the new steps you can, so as to show us how they’re done.
Hannah Jane’s beau has just been here. He lives six miles off, close by
where we went once to a clam-bake, when Dorry was here. Georgiana’s
great doll, Seraphine, is engaged to a young officer across the road. He
was in the war, and draws a pension of a cent a week. The engagement
isn’t out yet, but the family have known it several days, and he has
been invited to tea. He wore his best uniform. Seraphine is invited over
there, and Georgie is making her a spangled dress to wear. The wedding
is to come off next month. I do wish I could think of more news. Father
is the best hand to write news, if you can only get him at it. Once when
I was away, he wrote me a letter and told me what they had for dinner,
and what everybody was doing, and how many kittens the cat had, and how
much the calf weighed, and what Tommy said, and seemed ’most as if I’d
been home and seen them. Be sure and write how you get along at
dancing-school, and what the girls wear.
Your affectionate Cousin,