and mighty, never speaking' to him only to order him

round.

Well, I told him I would write the letter, and I walked up to the mantery piece agin and took down my pen and ink, and got out a sheet of paper. He told me while I wuz makin' my preparations that he couldn't write yet, but he said proudly he could read, he had read a little book all though, mighty good readin' in it, too, he said.

Well, I read it out as I commenced it, "Jonesville, July 17th," but he stopped me and sez: "I don't want that on, anyway."

Sez I, "Why not?"

"Oh, my folks won't know nothin' about Jonesville; begin it Chicago; she's got a brudder dere."

"But I can't, Pompey; I must begin it where you are; it isn't proper to begin it Chicago."

"Well, den, c'mence dat lettah Bermudy Islands; she's got a uncle dar."

"Why, I can't. You don't live anywhere nigh Bermuda Islands."

"Dat makes no diffunce, Miss Allen; I want dat lettah from somewheah they will know about. She's done got folks in both dem places, and she'll know about 'em."

Well, I couldn't persuade him to have it Jonesville, so I comprimised on New York, for, thinkses I, it is in New York, and it won't be lyin', anyway; and I sez, "Now, Pompey, what shall I write?"

"Begin it, 'Strong drink is ragin'.'"

"Why," sez I, "you don't want that in a letter."

"Yes, I do; I read it in my own little book. She'll know jest how high learnt I am when she sees dat."

Well, thinkses I, it is good readin' anyhow, so I put it down. And he went on: