I now take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well and hope that these few lines will find you the same I have had had two letters from Alie and I have wrote to back to him but I am afraid that he don’t get them and so I thought I would write to you and have you tell me how you directed your letters and then I could write so he would get it if you will please write and tell me how I will tell you what books I study at school this winter we had a good school Master this winter our school let out a week ago and I was so near through my arithmetic that I didn’t want to give it up and so I went to another school about a mile from here and I study grammar and read in the Fifth Reader the master that I go to now is a cross old fellow he makes us toe the mark if we go a skating we have got to get back by the time school calls or he will play the bud on us write all about the old school house if you go there and what you study if you want to write to Gary write it in the care of George Neass and he will get it Gary is well I went and staid [stayed] all night with him last wensday [Wednesday] I cant think of much to write this time for I wrote to you last I think and if I didn’t this will do just as well write just as soon as you get this and tell me how [won?] your letters to Alee he said that he got letters from you tell me the name of the Post Office and just as you direct yours write as soon as you get this for I want to know how to direct then I have a cousin Benjah Knight that goes to school with me every day he is big[g]er than I am and he is only 14 years and I am 15 years old write and tell me how old you are I cant think of anything more this time and still remain your cousin my hand trembles so I cant write no more so good by [bye] still remain your af[f]ectionate cousin John Van Riper To Henry Van Riper Now don’t forget to write as soon as you get this good by [bye]