takes one a month, and I
am to see Mr. B., who may take some of my wares.

In the afternoons I walk and visit my hundred relations, who are all
kind and friendly, and seem interested in our various successes.

Sunday evenings I go to Parker's parlor, and there meet Phillips,
Garrison, Scherb, Sanborn, and many other pleasant people. All talk,
and I sit in a corner listening, and wishing a certain placid,
gray-haired gentleman was there talking, too. Mrs. Parker calls on me,
reads my stories, and is very good to me. Theodore asks Louisa "how
her worthy parents do," and is otherwise very friendly to the large,
bashful girl who adorns his parlor steadily.

Abby is preparing for a busy and, I hope, a profitable winter. She has
music lessons already, French and drawing in store, and, if her eyes
hold out, will keep her word and become what none of us can be, "an
accomplished Alcott." Now, dear Father, I shall hope to hear from you
occasionally, and will gladly answer all epistles from the Plato, whose
parlor parish is becoming quite famous. I got the _Tribune_ but not
the letter, and shall look it up. I have been meaning to write, but
did not know where you were.

Good-bye, and a happy birthday from your ever-loving child,

LOUISA.

[_Journal_]

_January, 1857_.--Had my first new silk dress from good little L. W.;
very fine; and I felt as if all the Hancocks and Quincys beheld me as I
went to two parties in it on New Year's eve.

A busy, happy month--taught, wrote, sewed, read aloud to the "little
mother," and went often to the theatre; heard good lectures; and
enjoyed my Parker evenings very much.

Father came to see me on his way home; little money; had had a good
time, and was asked to come again. Why don't rich people who enjoy his
talk pay for it? Philosophers are always poor, and too modest to pass
round their own hats.

Sent by him a good bundle to the poor Forlomites among the ten-foot
drifts in W.

_February_.--Ran home as a valentine on the 14th.

_March_.--Have several irons in the fire now, and try to keep 'em all
hot.

_April_.--May did a crayon head of mother with Mrs. Murdock; very good
likeness. All of us as proud as peacocks of our "little Raphael."

Heard Mrs. Butler read; very fine.

_May_.--Left the L.'s with my $33; glad to rest. May went home with
her picture, happy in her winter's work and success.

Father had three talks at W. F. Channing's. Good company--Emerson,
M