Friday 17 Sept. 1812

aving collected Miss Waterman from the coach she had been placed upon by the Hegwoods, I transfered her belongings into MY carriage for the trip out to the Farnsley-Moreman Estate along the Ohio River for a relaxing weekend among friends.

In the morning, I demonstrated the Art & Mystery of Surgery to an assemblage of pupils from the local schools. They seemed to be quite taken with my lecture, but I have discover'd that children are usually eager to learn about my 'bloody' profession.

Between groups, Miss Waterman took notice of my things, strewn upon the table, namely, my recent correspondence.

"Is that a letter to you from my Aunt Elizabeth?" she queried, her slender gloved finger extended toward it.

My heart leapt in my chest, "It is." answered I.

"Whyever do you have a letter from my Aunt?" she continued.

I offered her no excuse, choosing instead to distract her and move on to a more agreeable subject.

After my demonstrations, it was requested of me to stay in the pavilion and wait for a reporter who was desirous to speak with me about my profession. I do believe that Miss Waterman had grown weary and asked if she might stretch her legs down by the river's bank.

"And leave you unchaperoned?" asked I.

Says she, "Do you not think Doctor that you will be able to see me plainly from here?"

I could not argue it and released her to go on her way.

Once the reporter had gone, I packed my instruments away in their box, and looked down the hill to espy Miss Waterman seated on a bench along the path that lead down to the water.

Miss Waterman and I took a stroll by the river and made the appropriate comments on the weather, humidity, the unkempt state of the dock and so forth. We also briefly discussed the nature of the local birds and beasts.

In the cooler portion of the afternoon, Mrs. Cooper had planned to have archery practice for any of the ladies that might wish to participate in the competition that was to be held the next day. I escorted Miss Waterman to the front lawn where they took their exercise, taking aim at a target I had painted for the occasion.

Mrs Cooper and Miss Waterman prepare for Archery practice on the front lawn.

The novelty target I painted for the ladies to make use of.

Miss Waterman keeps Mrs Cooper from browning in the sun whilst she takes aim.

Taking aim.

Miss Waterman was very pleased that hers was the only
arrow to strike cupid. I was QUITE amused by its placement in
the lower Serratis posticus inferior region.

Mr. Cooper came down the lawn from the direction of the house and we discussed plans for supper. A number of us gathered to take a meal of various types of fish and potatoes. In the party were Mr & Mrs Cooper, Mr & Mrs Dubbeld and a blacksmith by the name of Mr Aubrey.

A grand time was had by all. We had so much left over by meal's end that we collected it and carried it out to poor Captain Cushing, who seemed not to have a single morsel to eat.

The remainder of the evening was spent in pleasant conversation outside Capt. Cushing's tent where, I also shew'd Miss Waterman how to make use of my mechanical quill'd pen. She took great care in writing her name with it on a scrap of paper, followed by her letters and numbers.

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