River Side N.H. Aug. 31st. 1847.
Dear S. Juliett,
I suppose you will observe that I have made a mistake to begin with but as it is you that is to have the perusal of it I will not throw this sheat [sic] by for perhaps I may repeat the mistake or make another. so I will let my pen drive and you may correct the mistakes as you read. I thot [sic] it was about time to let you hear from me again so that you may not think I have run away or got lost here in the woods or among the hills. Sister Ns. letter enclosing Raffs epistle came to hand in due time and was read with interest by all. I am much oblij'ed for the recipe. I don't think should like myself but I may want it when I come to practice. I expect you and sister N. [Nancy] have had a feast if not feasts. but I hope you have not put each others eyes out or pulled hair. I think N. ought. relinquish her claims to you and the content with one Beau man they being Cousins I should suppose it would make but little differen [sic] which one she has and as you are acquainted with but one and not much prospect of makeing [sic] the acquaintenc [sic] of the other
But I will not intefere [sic] in the matter for I trust you both have good sense enough to settle it wihout [sic] coming to any thing worse than words.
I I [sic] am glad Cousin James did not put himself to any trouble to think where he was when he was so near us for I expect he would have found but little to interest him here, and then if he had come he might have forgotten that he was here and we might have been as forgetful as he and und[er] such sircumstances [sic] I think it would have been rather an uninteresting call to all of us. If he goes to Philad this fall tell him not to forget what he goes for and come back wh without making his purchases. I would like to know how that Clamb [sic] bake came of and who went and whether our family got slighted again.
I suppose you will expect me to say something about coming home but as yet I have not decided when to set my face homeward. If I conclude to stick up my shingle in opposition to the Dr here or if their [sic] is busines [sic] enough for us both without oposition [sic] I may not come home a[t] present, but I fear the busines [sic] will not incres [sic] in proportion to the no number of physitians. [sic] Perhaps I may conclude to go farther north their [sic] are some townes above that have no physitian and I am afraid they will never nead need one, so on the whole I rather think I shall get home before snow flies. I wish I had come here a month earlier for I ride with the Dr which gives me opertunity [sic]to see practice which is worth a[s] much again as reading[.] The Dr is quite busy at this time some days a[s] much as he can do and something evry [sic] day his busines [sic] is constantly increasing and if he goes on prospering for a year or to [sic] to come he will have as much as he can attend to all of the time.
I think I am well paid for coming here for sin[ce] I have been here he has had several surgical caces [sic], one broken leg which helped him set and mad[e] an aperatus [sic] to put it in the one recommended by Gibson. the leg was broken yesterday week it seemes to be goin [sic] well. It is one of Curries famalies [sic], and therefore makes a good deal of talk among his friends. They have prophesied all sorts of evle [sic] to it but it seemes to be doing well, he has one other case of interes[t] on hand how but I want to get this of[f] by the todays mail so I will say nuthing [sic] more about it this time. I hope to hear how things are going at home soon. We had a fine rain Sat and Sunday and also cleared off warm evrey [sic] thing seemes to be going finely here. I hope our folks have got through with their y haying before this. I did think some of waiting till the fridays [sic] mail before I sent this but I will close where I am and end it off and you will be shure [sic] and get by sunday. [sic] The Dr and I went to Concord yesterday had a pleasant ride rather muddy some of the way. All join in love to you yours in haste
A.O.B. [Abram Ormsbee Blanding, Juliet's brother]