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4 I am sorry you have not nicer companions in your boarding house Am glad you are not deprived of the privilege of meeting
with your flower companions and there are a great many more privileges that we are not deprived of no matter where we roam.
Am very thankful John that you do not forget us. I love to be remembered by my dear friends and I don't forget them. You are
not forgotten for a single day, and I know I will always remember you, and I ask the same of you for I need very much to be
remembered and cheered on to duty, unworthy though I be yet One is worthy - guide thou me May health and prosperity be yours
and Heavens choicest blessings rest upon you is the ardent wish and prayer of your very affectionate friend Hattie Trout
1 Meaford May 10th 1866 C. R. Sing My Dear friend John I have taken my seat to have a real cozy old chat with you. I
have selected a large sheet of paper for I don't feel as though paper of any size should contain all the things I would like
to speak with you about, and in trying to get my rambling thoughts collected on paper I fear I may lose track of them altogether.
The first thing and that which is freshest on my memory is about the darling hollow. I have not to minutes ago returned from
visiting it, and you don't know who I wished wished again that its old inhabitants were there. But not one face was there
to greet us. Who do you think was with me? why Duncan. He came down here this afternoon and I saddled one of those little
ponies of Sing's (I can ride them when I like) and we rode out there together - now you fancy yourself with us and I will
tell 00374 I have put off speaking of my progress in botany till the last I am sorry John but I must tell you the truth.
I have not got a manual yet, so that I could not try to analyze those sweet little flowers you sent from Ind. I sent for Wood's
and it could not be got and the money was spent for Maggie, so I could not get it since, but I hope before you hear from me
again I can re- port better success - not much of the season has passed away yet and I hope I may get one soon In the mean
time I am deriving a great deal of pleasure and profit from the Structural which I am sure you will miss very much - it surely
is an excellent work. I have not heard whether Mary Harcus is able to analyze or not I told your S. S. class you did not forget
them and they all looked up as tickled as could be. they all seem to attend very well. Peter still teaches them. Johnson came
back and took Charlie's class again Wm's class all vanished. The school is increasing and great need of more teachers. I am
sure you can give me some good hints in your next about conducting a Sunday school - 628