My brother Ben has gone to sea. He has gone in a big Ship. Mother packed his trunk with nice clothes, and put in his and some good books, and I put in my picture, and we went to see him sail. I felt bad enough, for mother says he will be gone a whole year.  
What a long time to be on the water! He says, when he comes home he will bring mother a nice shawl and me some fine playthings. I hope he will not get lost at sea, as some poor sailors have been.