Letter, Horatio Read to John P. Darden; 06/09/1854

              Franklin College June 9th/[18]5?    Dear Uncle,    I now seat myself in the little dungeon which you left a fiew [sic] days ago, to comply with your request. The cholera has broken out in Nashville. Though it is not very bad yet. There has been some 50 or more cases there     We have some sickness in College yet, as you know. There was some here when you visited us. Amid all the sickness of the Country, Thad and I have enjoyed very good health, but we do not know how soon our time may come. It is about three weeks ^now till ^our session ends, and then we will have the hot months of July and August for our vacation.    Mr. Fanning says he does not intend to graduate but two of his Senior Class. As He thinks the others has not done themselves justice. I am very sorry to tell you that Mr. Fanning has not got my violin yet. He and I went to town the day after you left and I told him to get it but he did not[.] He has been to town several times since and has not got it yet. Therefore I do not think it worthwhile to say anything more to him about it. But if you will send me 10 or 15 dollars I can get me a very good one myself. We have had a great deal of rain since you left, and the river is very high for this time of the year. Tell me about your trip to Georgia, and what accounts you brought from there.