Mary sympathizes with Gershom because his regiment has been sent westward to join the Powder River Expedition against a coalition of Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Sioux Indians. She advises him against staying to try to find gold. She notes that the family farm ended up having good crops of potatoes and corn. Mary also recounts how George [Rolfe?] was promised his father's farm, but his father changed his mind, which Mary felt was unfair. She then thanks Gershom for sending her money and goes on to justify her plan to spend it on a new calico dress by describing her good behavior and her helpfulness with maintaining the household. Mary then states that she hopes to pay back part of her debts to him, though she is doubtful she can ever pay it all back.
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