e a pile of
clothes to make. He asked me if I had read "Pilgrim's Progress."
He knows the book backwards, so I have to read it and learn it
too.

The way he talks this is a regular show, but he won't let you
call it a show. The painting looks awful to me but Palmer says
it looks all right under the lights. He is about done and wants
Pap to come over to see it. If he comes don't let him bring any
money.

Tell Lin to get my shotgun from under the feed trough in the cow
stable. She'd better get it quick. Turkey Evans knows where it
is and he'll steal it. Answer and let me know if he has stole it
yet.

Tom White is too short. If Cousin Charley was a few inches
taller I could get him this job. It takes tall people to be
characters in Pilgrim's Progress, especially "Christian," "Help"
and the "Evangelist." Jake's goin' to be somethin' in the
panorama.

They don't live very well; maybe Mrs. Palmer didn't know we were
coming and didn't fix for us. They have had no meat any meal
yet, only flitch.[B] Palmer works all night and sleeps all day.
He talks the rest of the time. His wife don't say nothin'; just
wears a sun bonnet. Maybe she has the newralgy.

Give my love to all. Your affectionate son,

ALFRED GRIFFITH HATFIELD.

P. N. B. Don't forgit the gun. Turner Simpson promised me when
Queen had pups to give me one. If he brings it you'll keep it,
won't you Muz?

MT. PLEASANT, PA.

DEAR MUZ:

The livin's no better, it's flitch every meal; they haven't had
pie or cake since we came. Palmer says when they get the thing
going we'll live on the fat on the land. His wife don't say
nothin', just sews and cooks and wears a sun-bonnet. They've got
two children somewhere. I heard Palmer say they'd have to stay,
that they'd be too much trouble on the road. This seemed to make
Mrs. Palmer more quiet, I reckon you'd call it sad. She ought to
say somethin', then a body would know what ails her. I don't
think it's newralgy. I told her mustard plasters always helped
Aunt Susan and she just looked at me.

I hope he gets her goin' soon, I'm hungry. If this show is good,
as he says she is, he ought to make enough to buy something to
eat besides flitch, corn meal and potatoes. He's got two more
scenes to paint, then we're ready to show her up.

Tom tr