Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-04-17
CHOOL-MARM AND SCHOLAR.
BETsEY SIMpkrSs.
MARsHMEDDEns, March, 1851,

DedT .Iuh betsey:-l m oOleeged TO you
for your friendly and pious epistle and am
rejoiced to hear that you are so much bet
ter o! your rumatiz. am glad you warnt
afeared TO write to me. I'm only man
arter all, and desire not TO be pulled up by
worldly prosperity. | remember you par
fectly well, as one who taught my infant
idees how to shute. But its my opinion
that nobody larned me to read. | suppose
that reading was born with me, for cam
recollect the time when couldn't read
the New England Primer-and the very
fust thing ! was heerd TO say was
s:In Adams fall, we sinned a.''
think that granny Sims was my fust
schoolmarm, probably when was a year
or two old. Then came Aunt Betsy.
remember your old motter-"spare the
rod and spiie the child" and you did lay
on the birch. But spose it was all for
my good.
You boarded round, you know-some-
times with our folks, and sometimes with
Deacon Cephas Billings, the bow-legged
man. Mos, Of the families in that dres-
trict is broke up, and changed SOME way.
Mister Jedediah Billings, son Of the Dea-
con, is alive yet, and somewhere nigh
yes, should say, jest abont as old as you
be. Mister Hiram Stebbins, who marri-
ed one Of my fust wife's relations, has
gone 10 Californy. In East Parish is Mis-
ter Jacob Bigelow, and in West Parish IS
Mister Jacob Hubbell. l can't think of
any body else you'd care to hear about,
except it be Your old bow, Cap'en Leggit.
I believe you broke his heart, for he is a
single man to this day, and keeps groce-
ry store down on Pickerel Pint.
You've lived humble sort of check
ered-apron life, and hope you have been
able to bare adversely with pashence. As
for me hars come on in the world amaz-
ingly. Since l have ben Jus,iss Of the
Peas, Providence has been most marsilnl
der my own grape.vtrtes ahar d. SCI u,
own carryall. These things are ordered
for us far better than we can order them
for ourselves. l have larned to watch and
prey. The people provide for me. They
are my green pastures, and shall not want
Perhaps, my dear marm, you may be
surprised at my quotin' Scriptur at sech
rate, for you ,nayn't remember me as
given to religion, in any particular way.
But I've larned that piety is becomin' to a
ruier-and then, was always orthodox.
make free TO send you, herewith, nine
pence. Don't have any scroople about ex-
ceptin' it. The fact is, I've lately decid-
ed an important case in different way
from what ment TO in the fust place and
this is a part Of the considerations kind
of a parquisit. We read that the 'slabor-
er is worthy of his hire" But who cares
for ninepence, anyhow! you no never
was stingy.
thank you agin, my school marin, for
your kind letter. II has walked up many
sleepin' recollec,ions. Do you remember
Wattses pious cradle-hymn, and the ex-
ssNow I lay me down to Sleep"
NV compliments to Mister Simpkins,
your worthy husband. lam glad 10 hear
that he and bis noble sons stand by the
Constitooshan. l may be induced to be a
candidate for some office little higher
than Justisship. But on this subject
silentio profundo-which means; keep
dark
Hopin' that you will continue well, and
wishin you good corn, rye, and tatar crops,
| remain, -s... .. s-a
Your friend and pewpil,
JEREMIAH SWANSON. J. p.
P. S. Have you read my letter on the
agricultural interests, TO the great Onior
meeting? 1t actually drew tears.
J. s. J. p.