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number intermediate I write this because I know it will give you pleasure to hear that others are happy although perhaps you
don't at present enjoy much of their peculiar happiness yourself, as for me I feel and like freedom too well to have any notion
as yet of being tied up to anything however holy comfortable the bands might be, It may be fun getting married but it seems
that life gets to be determined in ernest after that, just from what little I have seen of it. I am afraid James' project
of taking a tramp through auld Scotland will be scattered to the winds before the time arrives for putting it into execution
like many other young fancies He says he is going when he acquires a certain amount of money perhaps when he gets that he
will be far going into a very different state than where store? is naught but bannocks and leeks and long legged callants
a watin the Breeks that is yet alongside of dome. Scotish girl or other and then all thoughts of the glens hills lakes
etc of the lands cakes? will be swallowed up in how to provide grub and clothes for the rising generation. Our ja illegible
down South terminated just when the sick time had commenced so we got through all right. Some were not so lucky We left Sam
Mahaffy sick at Pittsburg on our way home, he did not live to proceed andy further. A Maitland took some lung disease and
wasted away till a few days before we were discharged and W. Brown lately filled a consumptives grave. don't know whether
his exposure down south helped the disease or not, all well hope this will find you the same. Shall be happy to hear how you
get along in that far away place Yours A. Reid