[Letter W3008 was included in the same envelope as letter W3004.]

My own dear Mary,¹

I can hardly realize that the time is so near at hand when your school term closes, you must excuse my not writing much this time for I am so tired my arms ache & my hand trembles so with the heavy work of the [billding?] but I will be well pleased when it is done & so will you when you see my work. Pa has again set off with his fleet pen & said all & more than I could say in answer to yours. I was rather disappointed you did not tell me a word about the dress & I have been [making?] it such a long time. Met Mrs.[McCork?] the other [Evng.?] at a reunion, she was making very particular enquiries about you & your music, what pieces you were learning what kind of music. Said her daughter was taking lessons from this teacher here that they were getting some of the long opera pieces, that [Emma Hunter?] was wasting her time learning bits of short Gallop that she might learn her self. I hear he is to have a concert next month & Miss Hillary to sing, [Israel?] is going down to attend the Military school. Miss Gorham always sends her love to you but it is all change there I dont [sic] often see her she never comes out on the Sabbath Evng. & I dont like to go often then. I have not been out much lately I have been so busy. Last Saturday Evng. I went up to the Spencers & he came home with me I have got a neat little fine straw bonnet trimmed with white which looks very well & my brown striped [muster?], the fruit has me looking well loaded, I hope you will enjoy them, how do you enjoy yourselves these fine Evngs., lovely weather,

your own dear

Mama

¹ Date was determined by the letter enclosed with this one, dated 1867, from Rev. Thomas Baker, W3004.