I dont know how closely you have been posted as to current events, and am not going to violate the rule by even telling tales out of school, to you, but having had the pleasure of reading the pretty holiday story that you sent to Irving, I am going to follow an impulsion to write you a newsy, or if you please, a gossipy letter, just for auld lang syne.

But first let me say, that the magazine story takes me back about twenty years or more when I went home to my little country village boyhood's As Written: boy--hood's home;--Whew! Yes it is 30 years, and took part in an escapade which with some variations might have been the very incident related.

Now as to matters here, in which I am sure you are always mightily interested. Things have changed perceptibly and perhaps as much as in any other particular our dear friend's own manner of spending the days. But little reading and scarce any writing, a quieter and more peaceful day by all odds than ever before, with far greater serenity, and contented reliance upon others to do, at least, as well as may be. All but one may and usually do retire in the evening and are seldom ever called during the night now. +++++ does not breakfast nearly so early as of yore, and the drive comes at one or as soon thereafter as convenient, generally before half past, but sometimes lasts a full hour, oftener about three quarters. Musicals comprise a frequent means of divertisement and entertainment, sometimes we are all asked to join, but oftenest it is a solo or more by one of the ladies who sings and plays well; the victrola is now in the pink parlor and is frequently brought into requisition. An unusual innovation is a sort of formal informal Sunday morning service consisting of some hymns, remarks by herself or anyoneAs Written:any one upon whom she may call, or upon anyoneAs Written:any one of us as the spirit moves, then an audible prayer by each one in turn, only one on a given day, however, and the benediction, usually by herself and the Doxology. You will understand that if any of this is new to you, it is to be for your own information only, for if ever the field got hold of it, it would render famous the one who first told it.

Perhaps as great as the sort of thing I have related is the increasing release of pressure upon those in attendance; Calvin is quite another person, having, as you doubtless know much less to do, he is very much more affable, and tractable, more communicative, and far less querulous. Then the folks disport themselves in manners and fashions unknown in days of yore. For example right after breakfast we usually go into the library and look over the daily BostonEditorial Note: Boston, Massachusetts papers until about 8 o'clock, then each goes his own way, or sometimes two or more go together, one day recently several of us found ourselves in the woods opposite on a chestnut hunt, again Irving took me out to a golf club some miles away with the Ford Runabout, and we spent an hour very agreeably on the links, returning to the house about half past nine.

The RathvonsEditorial Note: William R. Rathvon and Ella S. Rathvon take the Ford one Noon hour and Irving the next; they all go to the neighborhood libraries, and I am now appropriating the new horse Nellie for a drive either morningAs Written:mornig between half past seven and 9.30; or at noon- often I go along when they have the Ford out, it accommodates three.

At Noon no one but Calvin and Laura go upstairsAs Written:up stairs and the rest usually go out somewhere for a walk, ride or other means or recreation, seldom returning before two, o'clock. As you will guess I am here at present helping out while Mr. Dickey is out home, I believe the first demand upon him there, wasAs Written:wsaa a lawsuitAs Written:law suit that he had to attend personally, but while away he arranged and has held his AssociationAs Written:Asscciation.

Mr. & Mrs. Rathvon, were a real find; they have made good in all that that implies and signifies. Laura is still the steady horse she always was, only more so, now than ever, M+++++ depending more and more upon the lady members of the team, but Mrs. R. is proving a good second and doing wonderfully well.

There is a splendid corps in the kitchen at present, Oh by the way we had a social call last evening from Miss Minnie Weigant, and after their supper, seven of the help went in the big white steamer touring car to the Wednesday Night Meeting at the M. Ch. another innovation and As Written: ane one much appreciated by the help. The maid is an angel, but her duties have been so reduced that the position is scarcely a reminder of what it used to, be.

Laura was in just now and wishes to be very kindly remembered both to your mother and yourself, and so do I.