Athens, Oct. 17th, 1871

Dear Sister Rose:

After weeks of (im)patient waiting, I received a letter from home this afternoon, and proceed to answer it this evening, with the hope of getting at least one more before New Year's. And as I have several things to say, I will say them at once, and then finish my letter off in the most approved rhetorical style, if I have any space left.

I received a long letter from Ag. day before yesterday. They were well, and doing well. Andrew Glasser, I believe is marr(i)ed. A shocking series of murders was committed sometime ago in their community. A Dutchman named John Herb poisoned his wife, and in a day or two afterwards, himself too. His daughter, who seems to have been an accomplice in the murder, also tried to poison herself, but failed.

I have heard nothing from Mr. Bumgardner, and I don't believe he wants Joe's horse. If Pa can get $35 or $40 for that mule he ought to sell him at once. If William wants that book (Yesterday, To-day, and Forever) which Mr. Reilly failed to get for me in time, he may have it by paying to Mr. Reilly what he asks for it. I wish you could find some way of sending me that little memorandum book I forgot, with all that is in it. I want it here. Let my saddle be well taken care of.

I think it is doubtful if you will see anything of me before next June. I have almost promised Bro. Griffith and several Coolville friends whom I have had the pleasure of meeting, that I would spend the winter vacation on that circuit. I can but ill afford the expense of going home for a couple of weeks, whereas, if I go to Coolville I shall be under little or no expense at all. Besides I want to get back there as badly as I want to go anywhere, and I don't believe any coaxing will get me out of the notion. I think about the people on that circuit every day, and sometimes lay awake at night for hours thinking about them. I know very well what you will say is the great attraction that Coolville Circuit has for me, and what it is that will take me there next December; but I will upset all your fine-spun theories at once by simply stating that Frank Tiffany is to start for New York this week, to spend the entire winter with her friends in the western part of that State. If you want to know how I know so much, I will simply answer that I have found it out -- and I haven't been at Tupper's Plains, either. Bro. Griffith wanted me to come down there, saying he would let me have his stable to stay in, if I couldn't get any other place, and I agreed to come. I informed the other friends from there whom I have seen, of my intention, and they expressed a strong desire that I would carry it out. So if nothing is in the way I expect to go, and indeed I am already beginning to look forward with pleasure to the day I start.

I am getting along here a little better than I ever did. I am as happily situated as I ever expect (perhaps) to be in this life. I enjoy myself physically, intellectually, and spiritually. My health has been good (my feet are getting well), and I have as much fun every day as I used to have in my palmiest schoolboy days. My studies are a source of great pleasure and profit to me, and I have no difficulty in maintaining one of the first positions in each of my classes. But the best of all is a comforting sense of the favor of God, who is blessing me so abundantly, and making my path so smooth and pleasant. There are about 80 or 90 students here, some of them the best fellows I ever knew, and

all of them, as a general thing, of good moral character. Kinnison still holds the pre-eminent place in my friendship and affection, and as he is just as full of mischief as a kitten, we never meet through the day without having a spar of words or a physical tussle. I think there is no kind of life that can be compared to life at a college. I enjoy myself here almost every hour in the day; and I am kept so busy that I scarcely ever know what a wearisome moment is -- except sometimes during a tedious recitation.

The preachers have not all returned from Conference yet. I am anxious to know all about the appointments. Bishop Morris's brother, Calvary, was buried yesterday in the new cemetery. He was a noble man, spoken of most highly, and an old resident of this place.

Now please write soon and tell me everything you can think of. Give my respects to everybody you see or hear tell of.