time, I think that Mr. Smith will use his influence for me.  I told him that I would teach for 15.00 a month & board, there is but one person that has made application that I think will stand in my way and that is Miss Clara Tuttle, she asks 20, & board herself, if you will excuse me for saying it, I think that I made a favorable impression.  The old gentleman told me that he would give me fifty apple trees free of cost, he is generous isn't he?  That will be as many as you will want, will it not?  Smith says that unless your grape-vines were dug or covered last fall, will all be dead this spring.  I told him that I thought you left orders to have them covered; O my how it is raining & hailing, I pity the soldiers that are out in this storm, I suppose that you are at St. Genevieve by this time, & possibly on your way to Vicksburg; I noticed in yesterdays daily that Dr. A. G. Hull had received dispatch to that effect, Stuart saw him yesterday in town & he said that he wanted to see me & that he would be passing by fathers to day & would call & see me, but it has been storming so that I did not expect him.  I knew several days ago that he was in town, but I did not care about going to see a man of his stamp of character; & I did not suppose that you would send any special message by him.
 Yesterday was the anniversary of your fortieth birth day.  I wonder if you remembered it, I thought of it several days before & Mother said that she well remembered what feelings thrilled her bosom 40 years ago yesterday morning, sometimes I fear I shall never know by experience what those feelings are, but we will hope & pray for the object of our desire, & if it is not granted we must not murmur.  Cyrus received your letter written at Thomasville, I read it today to him & the family, it brought the tears to all our eyes, even father & Stuart; O you don't know
