I presume you are expecting to hear from me but until now I have not been situated so that I could conveniently write & beside I wanted to get a place to work before I wrote. I have seen so many things that I hardly know what to tell you first.
     I am stopping with Mary, expect to board with her while I stop in this vicinity. I work in Boston commenced two days ago. I was too late to get a desirable place. there was such a rush of young men from the country as soon as harvesting was over & the shoe business taking a downward turn has left but a small "sight" for me

My work is not such as I desire we are obliged to keep the gas burning nearly all day & then the air is impure. I am in hopes I can endure it until the draft & that will vacate some more pleasant chance. Dont fear that I shall forget my home I have no such idea as that I tell you. my present intention is to stop at home a part or all of the summer still I may get so good a place I shall not want to leave it.
     I am determined to go out west if you are unwilling for me to go further than that, I went out to Middleboro, a week ago yesterday & returned last Tuesday I had a grand time I don't know as I ever saw a place where I should like better to live. I felt almost vexed that there ever was a remove from there I believe I should have enjoyed living there.

but then I suppose if grandfather had not gone to Maine there would not have been any John & perhaps I can live out there if I want to so I guess it is about as well. Uncle Joseph has a splendid place & he went all about with me & showed me where he & the rest of them were born.
     I went with George & Mary to the Boston Museum one eve. I liked it first rate. I was so sorry that Delora [i.e., Delora Jackson] gave up coming with me, every one asks "Why didn't Delora come? I thought she was coming with you." I visited Mount Auburn [i.e., Mount Auburn Cemetery] the other day but couldn't half enjoy it because I was alone. I hope the time will come when I shall not have to go alone every where I go. Yesterday, the foreman sent me to do a little job at Buckley's Aquarial Gardens & after I got inside I thought it would be as

good an opportunity as I should have to look round so I was in no hurry to get away. I shall have a good chance to learn something this winter & certainly there is need enough of it.
     Wont it be so that you & Father can come up this winter? I know you would enjoy it. I hope Father would fancy Middleboro so much that he would want live there. but I suppose you would not like to be so far from your folks.
     I feel rather dull today & my turkey dinner has not served to make me any more animated. Sorry to write so stupid a letter to one I so much esteem & one to whom I am anxious to write pleasantly but you will pardon this. My love to all the family Write soon

Your aff. son
John

I have not received my recomdation yet & it will make no difference if I dont

It rains today so I dont go to church

Direct to Cambridgeport Mass