Dear Mother,—We got here all right. We came in a sleeping-car to Clayton, and there we took a boat and came here. On the way we had a good time, only a woman was mean to Fred. I paid her up, though. I will tell you about it some day. I liked the porter on our car. I think I'd like to be one. All you have to do is to make beds and bring drinks to people and get them tables and black their boots, and most everybody gives you a dollar. We had ours, supper, I mean, on a table, and it was lots of fun. Have the rats eaten any more chickens? Island Den is a lovely house, very large, and it is right by the water. There isn't any other house on the island, but on the next there is a great big hotel. There are lots of islands. To-morrow cousin Alice says I may go fishing at the end of the island. She isn't as nice as cousin Bess, but she is pretty good. I don't think Fred likes her much. They have a tennis court here and a boat. Has Phil come home? Puck liked the book you sent her. She has written to tell you so. I think it is a good letter for a little girl only five years old. Fred is in the hammock with Alice. She says, Don't you fink boys is naughty? I hope you don't forget the worms for my turtle. He wants five a day every day. I think this is all I can think of now. Fred sends love, so no more now.
Your affectionate son,
ROBERT MACMILLAN ATKINSON.
P.S. I forgot to tell you that the box under my table has a worm in it that I want to have spin himself up, so don't move it. R.M.A.
P.S. Number 2. Tell Ted I forgot to give him back his bat. It is in the corner of the closet in my room. ROB.
P.S. 3. The best worms are in the bed where the verbenas are. R.
Folded inside this letter was another, written in large letters on a grimy sheet of paper.[[1]]
Marian C. Rogers.
New York City.
Dear Aunty
Bess I want
to thank you,
for those nice
pctires you sent me.
In the cot oer the hill,
Lives little Jennie Gill.
She is but a tot,
As big as a dot,
How do you do?
I hope that yur doll is well.
And that your dog tray is well.
[[1]] A genuine letter, written by a child of five.