[Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading.]Mechanicsburg Nov 14 1879
My Dear Daughter
I will answer your letter promptly as you appear to be in the vally [sic] of [...]tration well it is a good thing to get just there sometimes though it is not just so pleasant as far as the opinion of those you are thrown with you need not trouble yourself about that as long as you attend to your business and do not give occasion for such treatment just be independant [sic] and go on your way attending to your calling it is a noble calling all the family before you have taught and they were not demeaned by and neither will you be. Cannot you engage a cheaper boarding place for after the hollidays [sic] do you get on all right with your teaching if so could you not teach yourself and let [?] [...] at Xmass it is not justice to either of you to be spending your time with so few schollars [sic] and realizing nothing you cannot well afford this. I do hope you will drop your correspondence with Mr Eckles no good will result to you from it but probably ill and the sooner you get out of it the better.
As for Jai he is too recent a widower and with regard to your New Jersey beau he may answer very well if he is the right kind of a man but I warn you to be careful about encouraging a stranger do be cautious he is quit[e] young I suppose keep your heart in your own care awhile yet at least until you know upon whom you are bestowing it you need not be in a rush to get married time enoug[h.]
I have a letter from Johnie he is in fine spirits expects to be on here all right on Xmass eve. Why not come home on Xmass certainly you will come home for that occasion I will be needing your assistance and then it is to be a reunion of the family and you are an important member. Anna was to start for Washington about this time. Johnie will start shortly. Old Mr Norcross and Mr Gregg of Monmouth are both dead Jennie is having hemalgia again Willie is not well either is staying out of school scarlet fever & diphtheria are prevailing here to some extent. Dr and Mrs Young are improving Auntie is to have another operation Miss C Porter is walking through the house. The teachers meeting is to convene here this evening. Your Miss Society had a festival at Mr Staymens on Friday evening last the young men turned out fine Miles Shearer was [...] after Jennie and I left. They mad[e] twenty one doll[ars] clear I believe. pretty good[.] The trustees have purchased the house adjoining Mr Staymans for a Parsonage are to build an addition.
Morning we had a good turnout last evening at Teachers meeting. My class is growing I have 9 regular schollars [sic] now[.] Why yes of course you will be home on Xmass certainly why not. Jennie was up last evening she is feeling badly quite discouraged. Now do you be careful to please your patrons use some policy this is necessary if you would succeed with your school every thing depends upon pleasing the people and if you try you can do it all right be carefull [sic] of your health though don't sacrafice [sic] that. I am about to make some hop bitters for Jennie & myself have been getting my feathers renovated and will make some new comforts and expect to have every thing in apple pie order, when you all come home. Write soon to your
Loving Mother
Love to Anna