University of Virginia Library

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Your expected letter was rec.d today (dated on 25th inst)
inclosing Bank check for 300$ which you loan to me at interest.
Above you have my note for the amt., made payable on demand, not
knowing when you may have use for it, so that you can call for it
at any time. I wish for your sake it were 10 or 20 fold larger,
but you are entering life now as an independent member of the
great human family & must begin to struggle for that respectable
position that you are so capable of occupying & must begin to work
for a competency for comfortable living. You have taken a first
safe & proper step by saving & investing a part of your annual
earnings. "Spend less than your income" is the true secret of
successful in life.

You say you have not rec.d a letter from us since you
left. The reason is obvious, you were on the wing, & could not be
located long enough to be reached by a letter. You speak of a journey
on foot, proposed by your friend. Be carefull not to tax your
strength too much. If you go make easy stages & if you find it
toilsome, take a carriage occasionally. I have no doubt but it
would do you good. Cant you get to Leesburg again? We should all
be glad to see you here, to spend a week or two. Take some pains
to get Edward well located. I have urged him to attend to it by
writing etc., but he will depend upon your good offices in that
behalf. Dont overlook it. It should have been arranged earlier. It
is important to get a good room & mate.

Your page of notions shall be amply attended to. In the
mean time write often. We will send you the papers. There are several
of your periodicals here which Ed will take out when he goes,
or if you wish it will send pr. mail. We are all as well as usual.
G. Mother us very feeble, still in bed, not able to sit up much.
Sandys Ed is in bed with measles. I left there on yesterday, came
by from Leedswood, where I found my cattle etc. satisfactory. Uncle
John, Mary & the 2 small children were here this week. They came
by Middleb.g & stayed a few days at Camp Mtg. It rained all the
time & is now raining, water high, wheat injuring in the stacks,
no sun except on yesterday for a week or 10 days, & looks as if
it w.d rain a week longer. Our love to you.