arisen to the dignity of two sleeping apartments and a dining-room (alias, kitchen)!   
     There were five or six Ladies present; 20 or 30 gentlemen, and 10 or 12 Indians.  We got up a right good dinner, for the prairie; and every thing passed off charmingly (I Hope!!!).  O was kept very busy, being the prime minister for the whole "out-fit."  I had been out of bed but two days and was so weak I could scarcely stand, yet I think I did my duty to people and things that day - even to prompting the bride at the all important moment!  Standing a little behind the bride I had a fine opportunity to hear the congratulations!  The styles were quite varied!  Our humorous Judge [Samuel F.] W[atts] really surprised me with his rhetorical eloquence!  Wish I could remember just how his congratulation was worded.

     What a wide gap there seems to be in my existence since I left off journalizing!
     May 4^th was the date of the last jotting in my old journal.  And now it is July 2^nd -two months, lacking two days!.
     It seems two years!  Mon Dieu!  It has been a life-time of pain and suspense! 
     I  had every thing packed and was dressed myself, expecting to go West to my friend, as promised.  It was a mistake.  I will not go at all now.  Enough about myself!  Let us see if we cannot find a more pleasant topic.  I hear the North Platters are in preparation on anticipation of quite a brilliant commemoration of the 4^th of July.     One year ago today and we were getting ready to start into the Post on the morrow!  Ma foi! What has one year done.
     [John Y.] Nelson, of [George Pfouts] Belden fame called to see me a weed or so since.  I was quite anxious to meet him; nor do I find myself disappointed in my expectations.  He is an original of no mean order; and on the whole, a kind hearted man, I think. 
     What must I do with myself today?  I have been chopping weeds in the yard.  A wild turkey comes every morning to fight the Dr.'s [Carver] tame one.  He, the wild gobbler, has proven himself master, and struts about the corral in fine style.  We will not shoot him.  Day before yesterday, Pa called me out to see a beaver quietly feeding on the bank of the creek.  I went in about 15 feet of it.  The sleek pretty creature did not seem at all frightened; but went on pulling and eating the weeds and wild roses, as though no interloper upon his primeval wilds was near.
     Made a fine shot at a rabbit this morning, as I was coming from the field.  I have made twelve shots at rabbits this spring and killed eleven.  I wounded one, but  as I did not get it, I count the shot lost.  Two of the number I killed at 100 yds. and four or five, between 75 and 80 yrds.  Killed one on the jump, which is reckoned right good for rifle shooting.