Do not let me ask in vain for a good long letter narrating all your local news since I left your hill regions. Mr. Emerson will inform you of William’s movements and convey any letters or messages to me. I suppose Dr. Thomas has made a pretty handsome fortune by this time in setting people’s mouths in tune and that he will retire to Fruitlands to make sure of it. Yours faithfully, CHARLES LANE. * * * * * LONDON, Sept. 16, 1851. _To Dr. Thomas Palmer_, _Fitchburg, Mass._ DEAR FRIEND:— As I am not so certain of reaching your father through the post-office as you, I enclose this note to say that I should feel obliged if you would have the goodness to discharge my claim. Some two or three years have passed since I thought I should no more trouble Mr. Emerson on the subject, which is one among the reasons for urging a settlement. Your business I am sure has been too successful to make it needful to go out of the family for the cash, or at all events for much of it. The farm has been prosperous, and though your father does not aim at commercial profits, yet his industry and integrity bring them to him. I feel it is but as yesterday I and your father went from Harvard to Fitchburg with the cattle. Oh, how hot! I am differently employed now, but I still desire the field and the garden. If I had such a spot here as Fruitlands I should not quit it, but enjoy a life fruitful in all good. Pray, in this matter of the mortgage attend to the request and give my best regards to your father, from whom I should much like to have a letter. Yours truly, CHARLES LANE. XI TRANSCENDENTAL WILD OATS BY LOUISA MAY ALCOTT ORIGINAL CHARACTERS OF TRANSCENDENTAL WILD OATS TIMON LION _Charles Lane._ HIS SON _William Lane._ ABEL LAMB _A. Bronson Alcott._ SISTER HOPE _Mrs. Alcott._ HER DAUGHTERS _The Alcott girls._ JOHN PEASE _Samuel Bower._ FOREST ABSALOM _Abram Everett._ MOSES WHITE _Joseph Palmer._ JANE GAGE _Anna Page._ A CHAPTER FROM AN UNWRITTEN ROMANCE