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2. The notation [sic] is used to indicate a misspelled word if needed for clarity.

3. A blank space, i.e. ________ indicates a word in the document that is not dicipherable.

4. The capitalization style in the original document is copied.

5. Square brackets, i.e. [ ] are used to indicate an addition by the transcriber to clarify meaning in the original document.

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-Mary D. Edwards Summer 2000

1856-1861 16 items Letters of John P. Lightner to Amanda C. Armentrout Brand #11332

Jan 29th 1856

Dear Schoolmate,

We take this opportunity to write you a few lines to let you know we are well at present & are enjoying ourselves very well over here at the Seminary & wish you were comeing over here too; I expect if you would come we would enjoy ourselves much better.

We wrote this note so that we could send you a present ‘piece in return for the nice presents which you gave us at singing one night [.] we gave you a present the next day in return but we did not consider that sufficient & we send you these two pens also; & hope you will accept of them; if not send them back; the large one is from J. Lightner & the smaller from my self.

We are sorry we had no better presents to send you in return but hope you accept of these. We also send you these two kisses[?] verses the one about the china cup is from J. L. & the [other] from J. P. with our respects.

C. C. School Yours etc

Jan 29th 1856 J. Pilson &

J. Lightner

P.S. You must excuse all mistakes blots etc. Yours etc.