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Danville, Ky. Jan. 19th 73 [January 19, 1873]

Mr Henry B. Allen

Dear Bro. [Brother] in α.α.π. [alpha alpha pi, with a chain linking the letters]

Your favor came to hand sometime ago, but on account of the Christmas holidays coming on soon afterward, and since then being busily occupied with my studies, I have delayed answering.

Was truly glad to hear that the majority of your members are taking interest in the society, wish I could say the same for the Mother Chapter. About half of our members take no interest whatever in the meetings, and to this I principally attribute our want of success.

If we can arouse them to the

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sense of their duty, we will stand a chance of getting some additions in February.

You wished to know something about those badges. I intended to send them long ago, but what we had, got displaced some-how last 22nd of Feb. the only time that we wear them, and therefore we have none on hand, and what is worse, not the "wherewith" to procure any more. There is no satin ribon [sic] in town of the color we want it: and as it is seldom used the merchants will not order any without we take a whole bolt which cost 10 dollars, and it will [cost] two dollars to have them stamped. If you can get the ribon [sic] there and will send it to me I will have it stamped. Be sure to have it the exact width of the old

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ribbons for if it is any narrower it will be too narrow for the stamp.

Do you all have any pins or not; I have never heard any person say any-thing about them. If you do not have any, we can order them for you, if you wish them. As I understand the constitution they have to order them through the Grand Order. By taking several they can be had for six dollars a piece. By you wanting the badges, I have taken up the idea that you do not use pins.

Hoping that we may ever think of each other with feelings of love, purity and fidelity. I remain yours. Write soon.

T.K. Boner [Thornton K. Boner]
Cor. Sec [Corresponding Secretary] of Grand Order