[Paragraph marks added for ease of reading]Dear Lucy:-
There isn't much to tell you and still there is. We had a big snow storm Tuesday so there was no school. I tell you we felt awfully. Then we have Monday for a holiday because Washington birthday comes on Sunday. Do you get a day? I am surprised at the way you people carry on when other folks have company. If you should happen to have a young gentleman over from Amherst Agricultural College you had better hint to him when it is time to go home or you might get seranaded [sic].
Yesterday when I went up in town to the store library and market I said I hoped Carl would ask after you for then I would have something to write to you and sure enough when I got into the market, in spite of Mr. Parker being there, he wanted to know how you were, if you were having a good time and when you were coming home. I think this is getting serious as Cousin Arthur Newton said.
Division A went over to see the boys drill Thursday. It was perfectly elegant. Capt. Potter drilled the little company and Bates the big one. Bates looked fine trotting around there. He didn't have any uniform except his sword. The only trouble of going over to the armory was that we had to run from the school-house to the armory without our cloaks on.
Thank you very much for the valentine. It was exquisite! I got a picture from Auntie and when I got home Monday I found a valentin[e] from Arthur and one from Gardner which I think must be from Herman. I have been reading the Bale Marked Circle X. It is pretty good. About a Confererate [sic] Segeant-major [sic] & two companions take this bale to Nassau. They capture a Union soldier & get ship wrecked but at last come around all right & "he is made major & the other two first lieutenants.["] Linniehas been sick with a cold & had to stay at home for a day.
With love,
Mary.[The letter is decorated with flags and "U.S.A." penciled in the corners at the top and the bottom of the letter.]
[A second short note is written in Mary's hand.]
Dear Lucy.
Mary says that I must write to you so I suppose I shall have to. I have lots of fun playing with my ball. I scared Mary this morning by playing with it before she got up and she could hear me upstairs. Yesterday my "big missus" was putting away eggs and as I couldn't find my ball I tried to poke one of the eggs out of the basket but she wouldn't let me. We have had a big snow storm.
With Love
Amber Snowdrop [the family cat]