still try to be a horse—you must kiss him for Aunt Anna and tell him he must grow fast so as he can bring you up to see me, when he gets a big boy Has little Isabel learned any more cunning tricks, and have Cousin Jimmie, Richard & Walter—you must kiss them all many times for me — Uncle Tom [i.e., the author's brother, Thomas H. Holmes] came up yesterday evening, and I intended going down this morning to get you some of Mrs. [illeg] nice candy, but it has been raining so hard all day, I could not get out. Never mind Darling I will bring it to you when I come — You must go over to Grand ma's and give her a sweet kiss for Aunt Anna—and tell her I had to have her cups made, and they were not ready to send by Uncle Tom — I will send them soon — Darling how are you getting on at school? — Are you still fond of going—and do you leaarn fast? — You must try very hard to learn to write, so as to be

able to write me a long letter—but you must not let your not knowing how to write, prevent you answering this letter — You must get Mama to sit down immediately and write for you, Aunt Anna is so anxious to hear from you — Give my love to Mama and Papa, and tell them not to wait for me to write to them first, but write to me whenever they can find time — You must tell Papa Aunt Anne has been invited to two dancing parties since she came to Fayetteville and Uncle Jimmie would not let her go—he was so much afraid the boys would pinch my hands in the dance — Darling tell him I wish he could see how mad he gets with John Anderson, whenever he visits me wants to kiss me — Always says he should think John Anderson had as much as he could do to supply his own wife with kisses, and he would oblige him very much indeed by letting his alone.

I intended this part of the letter for Papa — It is nearly dark and I must close my letter — Uncle Jimmie sends much love and a kiss to Sister Brother and yourself — My Darling little Anniebelle must think often of her own truly devoted

Aunt Anne —