Lexington May 17th 1810
Dr Stephen
You must excuse my not writing sooner, agreeable to promise but
I must plead want of time as my excuse- I went to Shepherdsville
and Bairdstown after I left you at Louisville and returned home by
Shelbyville very much pleased with my trip- I met George Shannon
at Shelbyville and stayed a day or so with him. There is no news
here as usual except that I saw Eliza P. this morning, the little
girl you are so fond of, and I am very happy in letting you know
she was in a very good state of health; Mrs. Nat Hart has a Son
and has been very ill for several weeks but is now rather on the
mend. I got a Letter from Tho Butler at Massac this Morning he
intends Coming up this month, to see his friends and I think
probably he will resign at least I think he is wrong if he does not for
he is now spending his time for nothing: I intend quitting Mrs.
Bodley in about six weeks and turn in to studying Law like a house
afire, for I have already spent my time with very little
Consideration- I wish I had known two or three years ago the value of time
as well as I do now and I am sure I should have made a much
better use of it- A Young man knows not the value of time untill
it is past and then he sees his error.
I seen Betsey yesterday but she was so guarded by her Mother
and Sister that I Could get no Opportunity of speaking to her. I
however intend making a movement Some of these days that shall
astonish all of them, there is nothing like acting with decision in
those Cases and I am very much mistaken if they dont experience
Some of it shortly. I then intend Coming down some where in
the Lower Country and try my fortune I hope you will not neglect
writing the first Opportunity or as soon as this Comes to hand; All
your Old Schoolmates or a good Many are going to the University
again.
If you see any of my old friends down Your way give my respects
to them and believe me
Robt: S: Todd [Rubric]
Stephen Austin Esqr.
[Addressed:] Stephen Austin Esqr. St: Genevieve Louisiana.