Curtis Fawcett - 1840-03-17

Miss Virginia Fawcett               St. Charles  Missouri  politeness of  Mr Itarley

Phila  March 17, 1840

Dear Ginny
                I received your letter some days since; by the kindness, of Mr. Itarley: and I avail myself of his offer to take a letter to answer it.  I am glad to hear by him; that, Pa, was getting better when he left, and hope, as the weather has now become, much more pleasant; that he will speedily. and perminently recover.  I suppose by this time, the pure, air of Missouri with the healthy exercises; of riding, hunting, fishing, and skating, if perchance you have practised the last; has fattened you so, as to make you equal on a seesaw; across, a fence; even to Barbry; unless it should turn out, that your salubrious clime; has had, a corresponding affect upon her also; in which case I dont know how you would do, unless you should come across a lot of fifty sixes; and tye them on to your end, for ballast.  And as for Lucris if she has continued the progress; which you told me; sometime ago; she was then making upward; it would be but reasonable, to suppose; that, by this time, she can save her friends the price of ferryage, by taking them, upon her shoulders; and wading across the river.  If it should all prove so; I have no objections to make; and as I admire good health; but I would just caution you against letting, the vanity, which personal, prowess creates, lead you into too many pugalistic; encounters; lest by some strange maneuvre of fate; which sometimes makes even the strongest loose the day; you should not only get the worst of the bargain with your antagonist, but also be taken before the mayor; of the place; and sent by him to the watch house.  And by some good poeple; that would be considered, quite a disgrace. -- But this is a free country; so you might ourself think it what you pleased.
            It was but, afew days since that, we had the pleasure; of selling; a bill of hardware to Mr. Shaklett; of old Harrisonburg;  he was introduced by a friend of Mr Ellison, who is also a virginian.  He could not recollect me, nor me him; but I suppose you do; for if you did not know him before we moved from therel; its probable ou heard of him during some of your visets to the old place afterwards; as he sees the principle; merchants they have, now; from what Jewett Gray; has told me when talking about the business of the place.  Mr S__ told me that. a few days before he left home, one of Uncle Bywater's boys was in town, he did not recollect which; and informed hijm all were well; he also says that Uncle; has purchased, Millers place; somewhere about the Ironworks; and was doing bery well.  From what he and Mr Effinger, (If I spell his name right) tell me, the business; of Hearrisonburg, has and is improving, a great deal, and the con[tem]plated turnpikes and rairoads , in that [vicin]ity; they think will materially; benefit the town.
                Jewett Grey has left Phila, and I have no doubt; as he thought; for home to quit it no more; as he told me he expected to have a teacherl to come there; and which he was very much pleased with. for of all others he likes home the most which is but natural, for one in his situation,  But I have been told lately, that he was in Staunton; at the institution, which has lately been opened there for the instrution, of the Blind.  I hope that the path of hislife yet to come may be as smooth as his great misfortune will alow and that none will be aded to it for merciful heaven knows it is enough in its self.

I have just received Pa's letter, wich I am sorry; is of such a nature as to convey byt little pleasure.  I shall endeavor to write soonl; in answer,
        With my love to one and all, your Brother

Curtis