Sumter S. C.
July 3, 1868

Dear Fuller;

On the eve of the Glorious 4th!--we are going to have a great time tomorrow, satisfying the doings of the Chicago Convention &c. Mr. Whittemore is to be here, and I don't know how many more. If you could only hear the mocking-birds! By the way I heard a fact about those birds the other day which was new to me. The people take the young birds as soon as they are hatched, nest & all, and put them in a cage, putting the cage where the mother-bird can come & feed them. But they have to watch, and take care that as soon as the little ones are fledged the cage is removed where the mother cannot get to it; otherwise, finding her nestlings cannot get out of their confinement, she will kill them by feeding them with poison-berries, preferring for them death to slavery.

What wonder if the unhappy slave mother sometimes took pattern by the sweet-voiced freedom-loving mothers around her?

I do so much enjoy my whole house, with nobody in it who hates me. Peaches are ripe, and loads of delicious ones go by every day. I almost live upon them.

The people are very unwilling to have me go home--they are afraid I won't come back! It is astonishing how their hearts twine about the first people who came among them after "freedom came." I don't suppose they will ever think any teacher however good or devoted will know as much or be as good as Miss Breck and I. All points of difference will be noted to the new-comer's disadvantage. It is affecting to see old white haired (Query, wooled?) men and women who were old when I was born, begging me so earnestly not to "lef us." What good they think they derive from my presence I can't think, but they seem to suppose that if I go they'll lose their freedom again.

Our Legislature convenes next Monday, and our Governor elect, Gen. Scott will be inaugurated. I would like to be there very much were it practicable.

With love to Mrs. Fisk. I am truly your

Jane B. Smith.