.NTI.MTI5NQ

Eve. Sept. 21. You may settle for your board with your own money, if it be necessary to pay before I shall be in Boston, and I will replace it in your wallet [phrase underlined] in a very short time. You must pay double pos-tage on your letters when you send 2 sheets unless you obtain lighter paper, as I have to pay 5 cents extra, here [underlined], on your letters that weigh over 1/2 oz. I send you inclosed a few letter stamps. I will be very glad to furnish as many as you need to use on letters you send home. I am very much pleased to receive your letters. You write well. You may not undervalue yourself, I think, + have always thought, you would ripen into something better than a "thistle." But I presume you don't need to be praised. Do the best you can at the desk, but never feel nervous lest you should make mistakes [phrase underlined]. Guard against mistakes by all proper attention to your business [phrase underlined twice], + that is enough. If you allow yourself to be fidgety you will be the more likely to commit errors. My old pen does really go hard. I must get a sharp knife (a thing not to be found in this house) and square off the point. Mr. Neale [?] will hand you this letter + will tell you many things about us + the place, Railroad [?] Yours truly Z. Long