No news but drought; keep up studies

                                                                        Wythe Va 30^th of June 1839

Dear Samuel

            I feel anxious to write to you something as I know that you are anxious to hear from us all, but not having anything that is very interesting to communicate makes me feel the more careless about writing

            We all enjoy a tolerable portion of health at this time except your old Grandmother her health is about as it was when you left here.

            Our season here is remarkably dry our oats crops & meadows are spoiled in consequence of the excessive drought, corn looks tolerably well, rye & wheat is fine  I have just begun to cut my harvest

            I hope that you are a progressing with your studies well, and that you will not think any time spent at the college in education badly spent, I frequently hear from you though not by letter but by persons who visit that place all of whom speak very much to your praise on being studious.

I hope that you will in your next letter let us know when the examination will take place or I expect that if no providential answer takes place your Mother & Wythe will be out to hear the examination, and I hope you will prepare yourself well against that time, in order that you may acquit yourself with credit as well to yourself as to the institution

            The children all sends their love to you and often speaks of you

                                                                        Your father
                                                                        J. T. Gleaves
Saml. C. Gleaves