Received a letter from Harriet in Nashville, saying that they were leaving for St. Louis that evening; Fontaine's accident on the Memphis R[ail] R[oad], he will probably recover well from the accident; Matthew and his family will return to Tribridge for good on Tuesday; they will have a lot to be thankful for this year at Thanksgiving, since the family will be all together; has not heard from James since he left but expects to hear from him tomorrow; expects a letter from Harriet tomorrow, saying she is safely at home; heard from Rutson in Louisville, and he is doing well; the new porch is finished; Mr. Simpson will start painting on Monday morning; Mr. Fitzsimmons is working on the new fence; their neighbor claimed the fence encroached 3 or 4 inches on his land; he finally agreed to let them put up the fence but stated he would want to use the land if he ever wanted to build onto his house; their neighbor's mother was concerned about a tree which is now dead; the fence was completed yesterday; does not know how much these repairs will cost; hopes that the smell of paint will be gone by the time she returns; was surprised to learn that Walker did not want to go to school anymore and had asked her to approve of this; paid the money for the term as she instructed in her letter; Walker seemed disappointed at first but now is studying deligently; the painters have begun to work; nan informed him of her engagemetn to Cousin Lewis; wrote a letter to her saying that he did not expect any obstacles to their marriage to arise; Lewis may resign his commission; will meet her in Boston; nan will probably join him. 9pp. ALS