The livin's no better, it's flitch every meal; they haven't had
pie or cake since we came. Palmer says when they get the thing
going we'll live on the fat on the land. His wife don't say
nothin', just sews and cooks and wears a sun-bonnet. They've got
two children somewhere. I heard Palmer say they'd have to stay,
that they'd be too much trouble on the road. This seemed to make
Mrs. Palmer more quiet, I reckon you'd call it sad. She ought to
say somethin', then a body would know what ails her. I don't
think it's newralgy. I told her mustard plasters always helped
Aunt Susan and she just looked at me.
I hope he gets her goin' soon, I'm hungry. If this show is good,
as he says she is, he ought to make enough to buy something to
eat besides flitch, corn meal and potatoes. He's got two more
scenes to paint, then we're ready to show her up.
Tom tried to help Mrs. Palmer wash the dishes, he broke two
plates. Palmer says he's all thumbs and mouth.
Your affectionate son,
ALFRED GRIFFITH HATFIELD.
P. S. Was the gun gone? The pup's a hound but it's bound to be
pretty, the children will like it. You keep it till I get home.