[Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading.]Mechanicsburg Nov Nov [sic] 23/77
My Dear Daughter
You will doubtless be looking for an answer to you[r] last letter I did write you on the subect [sic] of coming home but the matter appears to come up in a new form[.] I thought you wished to come home on account of your head and your back both of which were suffering and this of course should not be an inconsequence of which you feel like resting awhile now this being the case I say come home. but as for coming to take care of me in the middle of your school year this is unnessessary [sic] God is taking care of me and I am safe and happy. If you were well I would say stay since you have the money to take you through your interrest [sic] is the point and not mine but I trust you are in so far benefitted by the training and instruction which you have had in that school that you will never forget if my idea is not so much to fit you for teaching and thus making your own living so to prepare you to be a good wife and mother and a usefull [sic] christian.
You have been a great care and anxiety to me all you[r] life and sometimes a real trouble but then you are my own child and nonetheless dear to me for all that and when your education is finished should you be satisfied and contented to live along quietly with me I shall be most happy to share with you the last dollar of my income[.] I do not know whether it would keep us both as we would like to live or not but should it be nescessary [sic] for you to stay with me to take care of me as it may be before long we will not be allowed to want this I feel satisfied of.
I do not quite understand what you mean by a change when Calvin comes home he of course expects to return to China and I cannot see that his visit will affect us in anyway[.] One day this week my S School class five in number all called to see me a surprise[.] I had some nice apples to which I treated them Lida Staymen is one of them[.] I inquired whether they had a French teacher in the college here (Emma [...][)] she says they have a French Lady for teacher so you can study French or read history &c while you are at home should Johnie go away you would like to be here of course while he is here this matter will soon be decided but dont allow yourself to get excited over it if the master has need of him we must give him up cheerfully however hard it may be it will be harer [sic] for me as well as you as he is more thoughtful about me than any of the others but God will not allow us to be the loosers [sic] for this sacrafice [sic] I expect soon to hear the decision of the Board.
Yes you doubtless had a feast in hearing Miss Smiley you are having rare opportunities. Last Wed I had lots of company Mrs Wm Porter and daughter Mrs Williams from Thursday until Saturday. Mrs Smith formerly of Petersburg a good talker from Tuesday until Monday also Mrs Wilson from Ohio with two children daughter of Conn M Clarke also Fanny Clarke. They were here over Sabbath she and Mrs Zinn had dissolved partnership[.] She is going to keep house in her mothers house and board I assume her mother is taking care of a demente[d] woman three doors from me as you know she has [...] all along until last week I had it taken out[.] My head is better than it was when you left me. They are putting a new roof on this house, and if they paint the front of it I will stay in it[.]
Yesterday I spent in mending Horries overcoat he has not money to buy a new one so I am to send this one on he thinks the fates are against him lost his room his books and only a poor school. You may be training him for something he knows not of at present[.] A letter from Willie reports all well Robbi[e] also is well and happy. Our supper was a success. The next thing is to be a S School anniversary festival at Chrismass [sic] Mr Reigart is being very earnest indeed communion Sabbath week Mrs Smith is coming back to stay over that time Rev Mr Wiley is to be here[.] A dark wet day this is. Our prayer meeter [?] is today.
Now with only a mothers love M N Mateer