I wished you here very much on the morning when the Hen left her nest and came proudly down with six little chickens, everyone knowing how to walk, fly, eat and drink almost as well as its own mother; to-day (Sunday) they all came to see the house and took their breakfast from their nice little feeding trough; you would have enjoyed the sight very much. But this and many other pleasures all wait for you when you return. Be good, kind, gentle, while you are away, step lightly, and speak soft about the house; Grandpa loves quiet, as well as your sober father and other grown people. Elizabeth says often, "Oh I wish I could see Louisa, when will she come home, Mother?" And another feels so too; who is it? Your Father. I forgot to write how much _Kit_ missed you. On her eighth birthday, her father writes: For Louisa 1840 Two Passions strong divide our Life, Meek gentle Love, or boisterous Strife. Love--Music Anger--Arrow Concord Discord From her Father On her eighth birthday Nov. 29th. At ten, her birthday greeting from her father is this: For Louisa 1842 My daughter,