A South Hadley Dec 4th '69
Dear Cousin.
I believe you wrote last so I owe you a letter; so I will endeavor to write a little. You knew I started from home last Wed. it was a very cold day but I did not feel it much until I crossed the Ferry and had to ride a mile and a half in the stage the wind blew almost enough to take a body's head off but I happen to have a little left just enough to write a little nonsence. [sic]
I was very much disappointed that you did not come up home while I was there I should have come down to your house if it had been so that I could, but as it was I could not and had to come away without finishing my sewing. I dont believe I ever saw two such short weeks as those were while I was at home I have now got to stay here 15 or 16 weeks I do not know which. it is a little longer than ten. I believe you go to school to Mr Clark how do you like him? what do you study and how many scholars do you have? Ralph and Frankie commenced to go to school while I was home Frankie got rather tired at first but he had not lost but one day and then it stormed.
Today has been a cold sour day as the saying is, it has snowed and blowed I was very glad I did not have to go far to school.
O I must tell you what we had for supper tonight before I forget it it was hasty pudding and milk an article which I didn't suppose we had here. Professor Young is here giving lectures to the Philosophy class but as I do not study it I do not attend. I wonder how often you have to write compositions we have to spend 3 1/2 hours every week on comp. shouldn't you think that four years here would almost exhaust subjects? I should. I cant hardly see what girls find to write.
It is most time for the retiring bell to ring so I must close, my love to all and accept this with all mistakes from
Cousin Clara
In haste write soon
C.J.A.