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so glad! as I said in the begening [[beginning]] of my letter times here in the way of painting's, are very very dull, and you may hear my [[?]] made a good deal of, still it does not do my purse a single bit of good, for [[strikethrough]]am[[/strikethrough]] as I work for the love of my painting, and with the whish [[wish]], of excelling my self in every picture I do, I spend more time and expense upon them, than I [[can?]] posibly [[possibly]] be paid for, in the present state of public taste, and the depressed condition of the times, and my as yet but partiale [[partial?]] reputation. I shall have to work a long time yet, (as it where under one third pay) for my reputation, before my reputation will begin to work for me. I am not complaining because it is to be expected, and  know that with perseverance in the right course it will all come out right, but it will take time, so we must [[strikethrough]]be patien[[/strikethrough]] have patience, every business has its troubles but New York expenses are terrible. as I was begining [[beginning]] to say in the begining [[beginning]] of my letter, we are thinking, of trying to buy a little home, in order to be out from under rent, as our familly [[family]] is growing more expensive every day. it may not be the very best move for my painting, but still it is the best opportunity of getting a home, that has ever presented itself to us; as there is no money to be paid down, [[strikethrough]]for[[/strikethrough]] and as we have not the first red cent to pay, it is quit [[quite]] a considerations, but I will not say much more about it for we may not attempt it atall [[at all]], but if we do, we will do as Shakespeare say's in his lady Mcbeth [[Macbeth]], screw our courage to the sticking point and we will not faile [[fail]]. and if even this attempt should not be successfull [[successful]], another time, we may be more so; do you know dear mother and father that your dear words of approvall [[approval]] and encouragement, do more to brace me up and give me faithe [[faith]] i myself, and make do something great, than the sale of twenty pictures. I only whish [[wish]] the times would get better, but never mind that! I hope they will. if they did we would be able sometimes, to make you a little present which would make so happy. We send you five dollars dearest parents as a little New years present. I am allmost [[almost]] ashamed to send to little, but you must accept it for the whish [[wish]] that sends it, and not for what the amount is worth. Someday or other we will be able, to send you something more worth while. Benjamine [[Benjamin]] is writing a letter but he has been interrupted, and he has to wait for Angelo says he must let him say something in the letter too. Charlie says he is going to send half a pin to grandpa and the other half to grandma, and a whole lot of sweet cakes, which he calls round heart's and peanuts to both, but unfortunately, like promissed [[promised]] in generall [[general]] they are not likely to be fullfilled [[fulfilled]]. but poor little fellow he means with the best intention, he talks about you as if [[strikethrough]]you[[/strikethrough]] he had seen you, [[strikethrough]]he ask[[/strikethrough]] I hope dear pa and ma that you are well, and doing well you seemed to be doing about as well as usuall [usual]], in your last letter, I think that business will improve for every thing in the spring. I sent a large picture which has taken me two years to paint to Washington city D. C. at an exhibition that was there, in hopes that it would sell, or at least get me orders, but it has done