Danvers Centre, May 10thDear Clara.
As I have a real good opportunity to write a letter and I owe you one I will write to you. It is real fun to write to you. You are so thankful for your letters. I never thought so much about the value of letters, as since I have heard you speak so often of it. And when I imagine myself off to school, anxious to receive a letter I am ready to pity you and write a letter a "mile long."
Friday I passed near the place where we dug that Sweet Sicily. Oh! Clara if we carried on now as we did then people would call us wild. Oh! I love to think of these days.
Did you know that Butler (Elias) was out West? out to Indiana? Have you forgotten when he rocked us in the boat? I was telling Abbie about that Friday night. I s'pose Abbie and Al have gone to ride to-night - they were intending to go - Not a very pleasant night - rather cool.
I think I shall take your advice about studying Botany. I have already studied about 12 chapters - as far as they usually go, to be able to analyse flowers. I have analyzed some easy flowers. I should have analyzed more but I had Sarah's book at first and then she wanted it and so now I am without a book but I guess I'll have a book of my own and not like by borrowing. I was studying it when you were home but I didn't think to tell you. Oh! I admire it. I am very much interested in, although at first I got sepals and petals, pistils & stamens all mixed up.
It is a pity you could not know the name of that young gentleman. I should like to have seen you.
Did I tell you that Mary Wolcott had gone to school? up to New Hampshire some where.
May Day I went down to Amos Prince's. Went into the Green-house. Oh! Clara I wish you could have seen it. They cut off a bushel of flowers that morning. and there was enough left. As many flowers as one would wish to see at a time. I saw a Century Plant. you know the Botany speaks of it. Primroses, all kinds of Geraniums, Petunias, (double & single), Verbanas and a great many Forgeign flowers whose names I do not remember. There was a Heliotrope all covered over a frame, 1 yd or more long, all in bloom. It looked real pretty. I can't begin to describe it.
Abe Peabody's house is a beautiful building. All the paths are laid out as nice as could be, they have a cold Grapery, a Flower Garden and the Park. There is a great deal to be seen on that place. I wish you could go down with me sometime.
I saw a new kind of a May Flower down there. I wish I could find out the name of it. Hannah's house stands very high and you have a real good view of Beverly & North Salem. Can see Beverly Bridge & the vessels on the water. Well! I've given quite a lengthy description if it is a poor one.
I had such a splendid time that day that I tell of it every where I go. There was no May Party this year.
Oh! I forgot to tell you George P- goes up to Bill's Commercial School. I am so glad he goes. I think it will be a good thing for him. - comes home nights -
Willie is coming home nights after this month. Hope I shall see him once a Dutch Month. Only think, Clara, we are almost 18 - young ladies - just think of it. Abbie is quite 18. Well! I filled up my sheet so I guess I've told all the news. Write as soon as you can & remember your true friend
Lizzie
Oh! dear, I'm sleepy."