Kingsville Jan. 13th 1848Dear Caroline
I received your letter yesterday and embrace the present opportunity to comply with your request in sending an answer as soon as possible. I was sorry to hear that you had the horrors but not at all alarmed for what school teacher has not such feelings, especially on saturday [sic] night when half sick too. Corly [?] it is not strange that a school of forty-five should be somewhat noisy or should contain some "rude" ones so dont be discouraged, but I trust my advise is needless for saturday is past and those unpleasant feelings with it probably have fled. If you feel in any degree discouraged or think you are not. doing anything profitable for your school I will tell you one thing for your encouragement if you have not already heard of it. Mr. Tuckerman was here monday and was speaking of the reports of the county superintendent; he says he gave a more favorable report of your school than any other in Geneva except Mr. Ell[...]'s. Now if others think you are doing well you must be contented to go on with this encouragement, and if some do not learn as fast as you would like or if others are too rude and thoughtless you must think
this is athese are common faults in all schools and make the best of them[.]With regard to those questions in Algebra, I am perfectly willing to do anything to assist you in working them knowing the poor opportunity a person has for looking at anything of the kind and whenever you wish my assistance just let me know it and you shall have it without the knowledge of any other person save myself[.]
[long page working algebra problems 25, 26, and 27]
I have endeavored to make these examples as plain as I could but see after all that they are rather mixed up but perhaps you can by examining find out the substance of them - - - -
Things go on about as usual in K- - - and in the school. This morning the ladies of the school presented Mr Graves with a nice cloak which is worth about 25 dollars. They presented it before the school and Mr G appeared much moved with gratitude for their token of regard and sympathy, he expressed his thanks in a few words, but in a manner that bespoke an overflowing heart he was [...]ed too full for utterances. I shall say nothing about the old matter namely schools now but wait, until I can see you which I hope will be at the close of this quarter, next week. If it is good wheeling or sleighing probably we shall come otherwise not. I must refer further intercourse with you until then
Your own friend
Martha