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Cowan Tenn Apr 17^th 1864

Dear Wife & Daughter

I will now write you a few lines in answer to your letter of Apr 5^th  I received it Thursday but have neglected writing untill now for I though that I should get another letter from you this morning then I could answer boath of them at once but it did not come so I thought I would write a few lines to let you know how I am getting along your letter found me well and I still remain the same, and hope this will find you all the same.  It was pleasant here this morning but now it is cloudy and chilly  we dont have but half of a day pleasant weather now at a time.  I wrote in a letter before that you nead not bother about painting the house this spring but if you had made preperations to do it you can go a head if you are amind to shall let you be boss of the business at home and see how well you will manage it.  Shall you have money anough to paint the house and keep along with your liveing without getting in debt to deep.  You say that the folks are not very well pleased with the Teacher that is hired to keep the school this summer.  If there is a school up town any whare I should be in favor of Georgies going to it but if there is none she must go to the district school  I presume that girl is a fair teacher she was a good schollar when I was at home. I have received all of the postage stamps that you have sent me got seven in the last letter.  I should think that Molasses and other things generaly was getting well up. You said the boys was going to cut your wood of cours they must do it. they are old enough and large enough now to do all such worke they ought to cut all the wood that you use through the year after this.  And if Edgar does not live away from home all of the time at one place this summer he must try and get worke somewhare every day so to help earn a liveing these hard times. You say Ella wants some things to weare this summer but you tell her she must go with out them now I guess that she must have some thing or other to wear for I think that little silk sack must be rather of a slim concern by this time for girl of her size you must buy something that you think will answer for her not be to extravagant buy use judgement I getting what she wants of course she has got to have somthing to waire and if you have anything to doe she must take hold and help do it and I presume that she is willing to doe,  
Wal Georgia you wanted me to write you a good long letter  I will write you a few lines  I have to be rather spairing of paper just now for I am about out and no money to buy any more with until I get paid off have got but one sheat left now, hope shall be paid off soon so that I can send home some more money for mother to use for herself and you when this month is out  I shall have four months pay due me  I wish I had lots of money to send home to you,  last year I sent home considrable more money than what my wages come to but this year I guess it will be the other way for I dont see any chance to make any money out here  you wanted to know if you couldnt have a new mantle  I guess you must have something to waire if you are a good girl and mind your Mother she will get what she thinks best for you if I was at home I could have my say about it but now I have not much to say only be prudent as you can for it is hard telling when the times will be eisaer on a fellow.  I must close so good day  My love and lots of kisses to all of you  From your Husband & Father A.C. Smith

Copyright © 2009 Bruce E. Leandro. All rights reserved.