Poe Archive

Milton
May 21, 1865

Friend Alfred,

I was again in MIlton and will answer your letter today, that is if the Musqitoes will let me but that is doubtful for they are biting like everything and singing in my ear so I don’t know what to do with myself. I suppose you are coming home!!

I am glad that you are. I want to see you and so do your folks. Hope you will come before my school closes so & visit it. It commences tomorrow. I suppose I shall act as awkward as possible until I get used to the business. I dread it a very little. But I think I shall like it well. The school will not be very long, not more than 8 weeks.

Well have you got enough of soldiering or could you stand it another three years. I should thing the boys ought to be contented to stay at home a while after they get here, but I suppose they will not want to settle down into a quiet life but will be wanting to roam around over the world as a natural consequence. I suppose it will be hard for them to settle down. It would for me if I had been over this world as long as you have and as much.

Dear Ma is playing on the Bass Viol. & I must go and sing with her afternoon..

I will now finish my letter. II expect company tonight from Rumford Center, Florus Bartlett and his sister are coming. We heard from Mell a short time ago. He was well. Jeff Jackson [Jefferson J. Jackson] and wife are here today. I suppose you know that Lizzie Jackson is married to a Mr. Pulsifer and that Aurintha [Aurintha J. Jackson} died last June, nearly a year ago.

I hear you have a little baby sister up to your Father’s. That’s grand ain’t it—the more the merrier.

I hope you will excuse this lead pencil but the pen is in the other room & I’m too lazy to go after it. Amanda is at home. I have not seen her yet, but would like to.

It is very warm and pleasant here today. It seems good to have summer here once more. Edwin & Edson Spafford are in the army, also Hiram Merrill. Joe Casey, Orville Sessions and Lyman Lovejoy are dead. We shall miss them all when the other soldiers come “marching home” which I hope will be soon.

I must close now. Please write soon & send your picture. Direct Rumford Corner.

From a friend of yours,
Rose A. Andrews

Rosie to Alfred J Penly

Old Friend Alf