If your letters are delayed for want of a plain direction, please let me know. This is my business hand.
Lowell Dec. 31, 1868.
Dear Julia
I am going to write you a few lines to let you know I still think of you 'though I am in such a hurry I can't think of anything to say. The fact is there is to be a circle at the vestry to-night and I am going and have got a good Great deal to do to get ready; expect a nice time; Frances Webster and Ada Brabrook are going with me at least Frances is going with me and Ada is going to be there. I went to Ella Pray's yesterday and Ed Benner was there also Emma Chase had a very pleasant time. All the Pray family wished to be remembered to you also Emma Chase. The last-named inquired very particularly "why you did'nt answer her letter"? I have splendid times at school now, I like it ever so much. Tell Emma Kimball it is ever so much nicer than when she went there, tell her I say her leaving must have had some influence I think. Julia Leighton has'nt received the mat you sent her is'nt it strange? Will came in school to-day to see Mr Benner who has arrived at the dignity of school marster. Jennie Shattuck says "she's about dead flirting with Mr Benner." Yesterday at recess I was in talking with Ed when Kate Read and Alice Peabody came in and asked him for the keys (which they knew he did'nt have) and he told them "he had'nt any keys but Jennie Keese's brother"; they tried to get up a conversation but he didn't say much to them, but Will is going and I must close so he can carry it to the office.
Yours &c,
Jennie
P.S. This will be an [un]usual long P.S. I found on further consideration that I could finish to the bottom of the page. I am going to wear my black dress and pink ribbons to-night. I have felt as free as a bird (not a caged one) for the last week or so it is a pleasant feeling is'nt it? Mr McDaniels was in school Tuesday and heard our caesar [sic] class & there were only two that did'nt fail (Carrie Bacheller and myself[)]. The class never did worse. Please don't think I say this in a boasting way but I know you won't I only state it as a fact. You asked me if I expected 8.0 for rank & I answer no. I shall get 8.0 in latin [sic] I think but don't know about any other study. Good-bye. J.
[change in handwriting]
Dear Julia; Jennie has kindly left this page vacant, so now, why ma is scolding and at the same time petting Alice for tumbling down & spilling the milk, I sit down to fill out this sheet; my mind being as empty of ideas as Alice's pail is of milk. There is to be a social gathering, yclept [sic] a sewing circle, at our vestry this evening, and Sue, Jennie, & I are going. After I wrote to you this morning, I went to the P.O, got a letter from you, and then went on to the High School, where I visited Master Benner. He makes a very proper pedagogue, and succeeds, I guess, very well. Came home about one o'clock, met Frank Tebbetts, and have since written to Laura, read a portion of Lalla Rookh, been to the office, and eaten my supper. Julia, I am afraid you work too hard. You must not get so tired. When you feel so, go to bed, & let everything go. I tell you it will be best for you, and I know. How often do you write to Laura?
Respectfully yours
Wm A. Keese.