fence; it seemed too bad to take that fence away, but Runnion would turn his stock into his field, and the fence being so poor, would not hold them; and Stuart says that they never stay in the field longer than they can cross it and get into ours and they destroy and eat more than all Stuarts stock; he turned them out a time or two, and Old Ike threatened to prosecute him if he did it again; so they concluded it would be cheaper to build legal fences; today they have all been at work at the outside fence, and if it don't storm or freeze tomorrow will have it all done up nicely.  Austin has rented the farm but I can't tell you much about it as I have not seen him to talk with him much since, he will write the particulars.  Wickhams have a new boy, you can guess how much work he will get done now.  Well I guess I have told you all I know about the work.  We have all been up to Austin's today to a quilting party, we had a real good old fashioned time, we all went but poor old Mother she staid at home with the children.  Our big preacher, Potter has got the Rising Sun school; won't he make young America know his place?  they have built a new school house there at last.  father paid your taxes on Monday, it amounted in all to $23.00 and some cts, if you need the money you need not be in a hurry about sending it right away, as he has a good deal on hands; and never mind the guitar I can do without it.  I must bid you good night, as my head aches badly tonight.  Friday Morn 4th  Good morning dear husband, this is a bright, mild morning, and contrary to our fears, bids fair for good weather.  We are all well this morning; my health is very good, I am a good deal fleshier than when you went away.  Emma and I are going to Desmoines today; There was a man down from Crawford county last week hunting teachers, he said they would give $30.00 per month and board, I wrote to him at Desmoines, but he had gone before the letter reached the office, I am going to write to Crawford county today, and if I can get a good situation I will go; what do you think of it?  James Smith was here to dinner one day last week; he says they have a Copper-head teacher and they won't send their children to him, he wants me to come and teach his children two or three month; I don't want to go a bit for he is so hard to please, but I suppose if I don't go away I will have to go there.
 They had a church meeting at Mr Birds church last Saturday, the vote stood 38 for 12 against, so the matter is settled, we are all so glad he is going to stay.  We had glorious news from the army last week; they had a hard fight at Chattanooga, Bragg attempted to out-flank Grant, Old U.S. took advantage of the movement and forced his, Braggs, center and cut
