re
to eat it I shouldn't hear the last of my wastefulness."

"Ay? is that the way she does?" said Mr. Landholm laughing.

"Something like it. A tight grip, I tell ye!"

And with these words Mr. Underhill took himself out of the
house.

"Where's your mother, Asahel? call her and tell her what's
here," said Mr. Landholm, as he broke one of the seals.

"Shagarack, Dec. 3, 1810.

"My dear parents,

"I take the opportunity of friend Underhill's going home to
send you a word -- I can't write much more than a word, I'm so
busy. I never drove my plough at home half so industriously as
now I am trying to break up and sow the barren fields of mind.
But oh, this is sweeter labour than that. How shall I ever
repay you, my dear father and dear mother, for the efforts you
are making -- and enduring -- to give me this blessing. I feel
them to my very heart -- I know them much better than from your
words. And perhaps this poor return of words is all I shall
ever be able to make you, -- when it seems to me sometimes as
if I could spill my very heart to thank you. But if success
can thank you, you shall be thanked. I feel that within me
which says I shall have it. Tell mother the box came safe, and
was gladly received. The socks &c. are as nice as possible,
and very comfortable this weather; and the mittens, tell
Winnie, are like no other mittens that ever were knit; but I
wish I could have hold of the dear little hands that knit them
for a minute instead -- she knows what would come next.

"You bid me say if I want anything -- sometimes I think I want
nothing but to hear from you a little oftener -- or to see you!
-- that would be too pleasant. But I am doing very well, though
I _do_ want to know that ma is not working so hard. I shall
relieve pa from any further charge of me after this. I
consulted the President; and he has given me a form in the
grammar school to take care of -- I believe pa knows there is a
grammar school connected with the Institution. This will pay
my bills, and to my great joy relieve my father from doing so
any more. This arrangement leaves me but half of the usual
study hours (by day) for myself; so you see I have not much
leisure to write letters, and must close.

"Your affectionate son,

"Winthrop Landholm.

"I don't forget Asahel, though I haven't said a word of him;
and give my love to Karen."

Mr. and Mrs. Landholm looked up with pleasant faces at each
other and exchanged letters.