dear life, that I may not have come entirely in vain. I didn't mean to
groan about it; but my lass and I must tell some one our trials, and so
it becomes easy to confide in one another. I never let mother know how
unhappy you were in S. till Uncle wrote.

My doings are not much this week. I sent a little tale to the Gazette,
and Clapp asked H. W. if five dollars would be enough. Cousin H. said
yes, and gave it to me, with kind words and a nice parcel of paper,
saying in his funny way, "Now, Lu, the door is open, go in and win."
So I shall try to do it. Then cousin L. W. said Mr. B. had got my
play, and told her that if Mrs. B. liked it as well, it must be clever,
and if it didn't cost too much, he would bring it out by and by. Say
nothing about it yet. Dr. W. tells me Mr. F. is very sick; so the
farce cannot be acted yet. But the Doctor is set on its coming out,
and we have fun about it. H. W. takes me often to the theatre when L.
is done with me. I read to her all the P. M. often, as she is poorly,
and in that way I pay my debt to them.

I'm writing another story for Clapp. I want more fives, and mean to
have them, too.

Uncle wrote that you were Dr. W.'s pet teacher, and every one loved you
dearly. But if you are not well, don't stay. Come home, and be
cuddled by your old

Lu.


_Pinckney Street, Boston_, January 1, 1855.--The principal event of the
winter is the appearance of my book "Flower Fables." An edition of