William Smith 1878-1881

Andover Sep. 29. 78.

My dear mother

Thy letter of the 26th arrived yesterday, also the Bible for which I wish thee would tell father I am very much obliged to him. The beautiful new stockings for which I am also much obliged came the same day in the parcel with the drawers and the cravat. The sun comes in one of my windows very nicely and I have a wood stove in

my room now. We have three recitations two in the morning and one in the afternoon on 2nd, & 3rd Days, two on 4th, three on 5th and 6th and two 7th. On 4th and 7th Days school brakes up at twelve instead of half past and there is no afternoon lesson which is some recompense for not having 7th day for a holiday. The lessons are Latin, Roman History and Grammar which I have to make up, Greek in which there is a little back work and Algebra in which I am all

right. Yesterday afternoon I took a walk of 6 or 8 miles over some beautiful country in the hopes of seeing some grey squirrels and although I did not see any I flushed several partridges and fired at a red squirrel. Please tell Edward I enjoyed his letters very much and hope he will be encouraged to write again. I have been to Chapel twice today and this is my third letter. I feel well a hope you are all so. Thy affectionate som

Wm W. Smith.

Mr. B. R. Smith No. 4717 Main St. Germantown Phila.

Andover Oct. 6th. 78.

My dear Mother

Since last writing I have received thy three letters and the Japanese pictures which are very pretty and a great ornament to my room which still looks rather bare and for which I am very much obliged to you. The only societies here which I know of are two debating societies to one of which I think I shall belong. I am glad you found so much fringed gentian and also that the