1852 November 8, Peace Dale, to My dear cousin Clemmie

              Peace Dale Nov 8th 1852

I was perfectly delighted my dear Clemmy at the promptitude with which thee answered my letter & to tell the whole truth a little surprised. Now no misconceptions if thee pleases I was simply surprised because I thought, (or at least I was somewhat uncertain as to whether it would not be the case) that my claims would be lost in the multiplicity of thy correspondents & that a long time might pass over before they would be attended to. I am very happy to find this was not the case, but that thee made a point of answering me soon, a compliment which I fully appreciate. I should say an indication of regard (at least for my wishes) for which I am very grateful. Thy promptitude, however, I am much afraid thee will think, has met with a poor return. Indeed I am almost ashamed when I look at the date of thy letter and see that three weeks have elapsed since it was written. My only hope is that in the bustle of preparation for thy departure they have been as short weeks to thee as they have to me. The months of September October & November are our busiest seasons & in addition to the usual business we are putting in a new waterwheel & building an addition to the factory. The day time is nearly all occupied & the evenings are broken by the arrival of the mail & the necessity of reading & answering letters on business. So that, though I have been looking for a good time to answer thy letter ever since it came, I have not found one yet, so I have made up my mind to write it by pieces as I get the time. A proceeding I am not at all partial to, as I like to sit down when