Merrick's Letter to Catherine

I've come across a letter that my Great Grandfather, Merrick Luther Smith wrote to his wife.  He appears to be living in Mitteneague, West Springfield, MA.  This letter gives us a glimpse into his personality as he wrote it as a poem. There are a few places toward the end that I had a difficult time transcribing the words.  I put down what I think it says, but don't know the meaning.

Mitteneague July 21, /97

My Dear Wife

1

I now set down with pen in hand

To write you a letter as long as I can

Which wont be very long you can bet your old hat

But you probably already know about that

2

A I am writing this letter I've not much to tell

Only that I am getting along nicely + feeling quite well

I do my own house work + feed my self

and I am living up on the top shelf

3

For my supper tonight I has a squash frye

With a pan of Bonnams sitting close by

And the Biscuit was fine that I got at the start

and this isn't all but I wont tell any moor

4

For you might think I am living quite a fast life

Down here all alone with out any wife

But you know I am alone + can do as I please

And I don't I live on crackers and cheese

5

Now I will try to show you the house as it looks

With my cloths on the floor instead of the hooks

The coal hod is full + the lamps are all black

and I am going to leave it like that until you get back

6

The flys + cob webs are on windows + wall

The car dust is all over the floor in the hall

The stove is heaped up till it wont hold any moor

And now it falling all over the floor

7

And as I was looking at the floor tonight

I had to acknowledge it was quite a sight

With the greese spots all over + the dirt an inch thick

And I though if you could see it it would make you sick

8

But don't get scart beforr you hirt

For I am going to dig out all the dirt

And I will clean it all + make it all write

But it does look like the very deveal tonight

9

Now this letter I close for I can't write any morr

So I put out the Fuiter + lock up the door

And to bed I will go as soon as I can

And I think of you sleeping without any man

10

But never mind dear I make it all wright

For we sleep together the very first night

And bring that along you said you keep

For without that I know I could not sleep

11

So I bid you goodnight + go off to bed

And wad up my pillow + lay down my head

And sleep the sleep of the happy + free

And dream all the night that you are with me

Give my love to all + kiss the little Dincks for me

Your mhast

M. L. Smith

The Old Man