my hard labor remains. I cannot get Guano off 
these days, and am placed in a peculiar position, 
but I am not discouraged, and if Guano can be 
boated off, I can do it. Capt. Stone can explain 
my position better than I can with my pen. 
What a surprise you were intending for me, 
but I’m glad you didn’t come, because you would • 
have a bad impression of Jarvis Island as it now 
is. Not that I wouldn’t love to see you, for I 
do indeed, when the right time comes. 
I have packed six boxes and two smaller ones 
with empty bottles and shells, which are a pres¬ 
ent to you from my people and myself. They 
were delighted with the pickles, and will have a 
lot more of curiosities for you by the return 
of the “Josephine”, if you can just as well as not 
send some more pickles to them. They all send 
lots of Aloha to you. I would much like to be 
enjoying the fine times you seem to be having 
in Honolulu, but yet if I had my choice I should 
decide to remain where I am at present Fm I 
am earning something, and until we hear def¬ 
inite: news from home will cheerfully do my 
duty. The M. R. will I trust be nearly loaded 
when next you hear from me. I am very com¬ 
fortable and have no particular wants. A good 
companion would however be a comfort. 
Akay behaves himself, and irons my clothes, 
so that I can have on a clean shirt every day. 
$ & 
m * 
vL' VsF’ ■ 
72 
ft- 
L 
You say that I must not neglect my person &c. 
I try to keep my hands clean, but its a nail here, 
and a nail there, this thing and that thing to be 
done continually, so that my hands are rough 
and sunburnt. I am very well off indeed much 
better than I might be. So I hope you will not 
be too anxious about me. I have just read over 
Fathers and your kind letters, how little I de¬ 
serve your compliments. I wish I did indeed 
merit them. I do enjoy the receipt of letters, 
and have been especially favored by these last 
arrivals. 
My bedbugs are not all exterminated, nor are 
the rats, but they are on the decrease I think. 
Everything you sent came in good order, and 
are very acceptable, especially the books and 
papers. 
It is a great comfort to feel that our prayers 
ascend daily to the Throne of Grace, for each 
other, and those absent ones upon the great 
deep. God has blessed us as a family, and I 
trust we have many happy hours in store for us, 
in the future. That we may all be permitted to 
meet again around the family altar is my prayer, 
if not may we all meet in Heaven. We have 
attractions there, and what shall I more say. I 
could talk for hours with you, but must close 
this short and poor return for your too kind 
letters. 
73 
