Transcription:
5 but after a long struggle in the rapid current we were fairly beaten and our dream of water travelling at an end. We disembarked
on the sandy shore took our gear from their illegible places under the illegible , then uncovering our heads we made a speech
in turn to his boatship then directed it to a friend in Dubuque, and after placing two postage stamps upon it to make it go,
pushed it into the current and marched slowly away through the tall grass for the hills. Dogo always saluted us with more
than ordinary energy, and frightened children, when they caught a glimpse of the queer looking strangers, darted for the house
whose windows were lined with faces, we once alarmed a whole village - but I must halt, I was at Davids Wedding - he evidenitly
thought that his illegible was the most perfect piece of mortality this side of the new Jerusalem We of course wished him
happiness I dined at his house in Portage a few days ago, but Dan you I must not on any account permit our- selves to think
of marriage for five or six years yet, and I give this as a very grave hint, for if your permit your self to fall in love
illegible illegible . When you write next tell me particulary about your health and studies and what you expect father to
do for you as respects giving you education, or money, or farm I have worked hard in harvest this summer and built John Reids
house over the hill from fathers, also I plowed for John about two weeks, I am splitting cordwood and rails for stove this
winter and studying French Latin and Anatomy also Scottish history and manners? , as I intend if not