May 15th 1860

     Dear Sister  I take this opportunity
to write a few lines to you perhav
				     ps
you will not be able to
read it at all but our ink is
done gone up and consequently
I had had to write with a lead
pencil     We are all well at
present and I hope this will
find you the Same   Spring
has come & with all its beauty
once more the trees are clothed in
the green [garbage?] of nature and the
woods resound with the notes of the
feathered songsters - once more the air
is comes leaden with the [crossed out] [ritch] rich
perfume of the many blossoming trees
and plants but enough of this at present
[several words crossed out] gust finished planting corn
on [Mr?] [crossed out] [Rofes] Rolfes about 2 hours ago
we have a [crossed out word] [illegible] to fit at home now
Well dinner is most ready now so I
most leave now.     [May 24?]
you See that it has been more than
a week since I commenced this letter we
are drove with work this week we had a frost

[Written upside down in red pen on top of Scan 2

May 1860

[End]

last Saturday night that killed our beans
cowcumbers and some [illegible] corn in the gardon
we have not got our corn all planted yet
but I suppose I has got his all planted
Tell Edmond that I want him to come out
					      g
here wither he administered that whippin^
or not Although I presume I deserve it for
makeing [a bargain?] again and bucking out of it
as I did that for George said that if I
[illegible] out there he would be obliged to
hire someone else to help him come out of here
if you can about the 4 of July
Write as Soon as you as can and tell me
the news.     From your younger brother
			Gershom W Mattoon
P S if them package Stamp are all gone
I will leave to discontinue them as I
cannot send him any more now
and if you pleas I wish you would Send
me a receipt for makeing your egg cake
and your Soft cake in closed you will find
a Small note for Byron and one for [Milton?]
write as soon as you can and let me know
how you are getting along
			G   W Mattoon