Now, my dear boy, you have great talent; study that you may be one of the _great men_ and you will find those you think are "hard" upon you are your best friends and helpers. For your mother's sake, who loves you better than her life, make _pleasure your_ friend _for_ your hours of leisure, but let Brain, Heart and Hands work during working hours. Seek all the knowledge that you now have the chance of obtaining for the more you know of French, Music, Mathematics and general knowledge, the greater are your chances of success. I think I hear you say: "Why did this lady write to me? She don't know me." Oh, yes, she does, from your letters, and your mother's description of you. I love boys. I have had one of my own; I know all about their funny tricks. I used to wish I had been a boy myself. Once when a little girl, I kicked and yelled for an hour because I was not permitted to climb a chestnut tree, and set traps for rabbits and play shinney with the boys. Now don't you think I know something, having gone through all this. I think a letter from you to me would be a fine thing. We might have a tilt or two with the pen and brain, if not with the sword and lance. As your dear mother tells me you have a loving, kind heart. I send you a portion of the love I give her and ask you to call me, AUNT ANNA EUHLER. * * * * * L'ISLET, P. Q., December 8th. _Darling Mother_: Your sweet letter was received yesterday and my heart beat with joy on seeing it. Brother will let me have all the books and papers you can send. I would like to renew my subscription to Harper's Young People. I have read all dear Father Finn's books over again, and enjoyed them as I did the first time. I know you are under great expense on account of Papa's illness, so do not exert yourself trying to send me Christmas money, if it becomes necessary I will do without going anywhere or getting anything. There will be a few boys here to stay over Christmas and New Year, so I will have a little fun, although not as much as if I went to Quebec, St. Anne, St. Eugene's, Cape St. Ignac or Trois Pistolets. Brother Director has told the Brother who cooks to clean the butter for me, he will put it in water and mash it, thus withdrawing the salty taste and black particles. I now have a book called "Horsfield's Method of Learning French Language," and I think it will help me very much. It has the French on top and the English underneath, as: Il est fou, etc., He is fool. It also has conversation, as: Vous avez des cheveuz rouge, You have the hairs red. Don't you wish I could write as well as the fellow who addressed this envelope? The strongest boy in the school is Adolph Bernier, and he is one of my best friends. If he had the nerve of Dr. Carroll he could lick the world. His muscle is almost three times as large as Doctor's, and his legs about eighteen inches round.