Blackwell Family Lucy Stone 1884 Blackwell, Alice Stone It seems as though there was a great deal more to say to you. but I can't think of what it is. So with a kiss and a hug, and a heart full of love, Always MammaI suppose you are just beginning to feel that you are off. I hope papa will have a good long nap on the way down & you too - and then when you are arrived. rest. rest. rest. I should not have written this [?] letter [yarn?] - Kiss Emma for me. Love to Agnes and Ethel and the other two. I do not think you took a napkin ring. But you can pin down the corner and so [know?] [you] [?] When you kiss papa for yourself you may always kiss him for me too- With much love to both L.S. To HBB + ASB OFFICE OF The Woman's Journal, No. 5 PARK STREET. Boston, July 5 1884 Dear People I came in today, as I had given Miss Wilde leave to stay away, but I found her here - a letter private came from Miss Becker who hopes the franchise bill will not be returned to the Commons. Also a letter from an irate democrat who returns Jun circular, saying he thinks it "cool for an organization which as such tried its best to defeat the Democratic Party in this state last year. Edith and I sat up till 9.30 to see the fireworks, from the top of the house. She had a letter from her mother, who reports all well. I am intending to go to the Vineyard when you and Geo. are there found the welcome letter of Alice and one from Agnes when I got home Saturday*]Mrs. Blake has sent her letter. And Mrs. Julia Dunn has sent a good article "Women and Mules." It rained all night last night and is clear and cool today. No letters from any of you yet, unless they have come to the house today - - - - We have no news. All goes on well at home. We shall have no guests tomorrow, though I meant to invite Miss [V?], that she has not been in town. We are permitted to have a sign by vote today. The Woman's Congress goes to Baltimore - We hope you are both better for the change. Edith sits in your place and flowers in that of Alice. With love to all and Especially to you two - L. S. [*Glad the pups got disposed of.*] Lucy Stone OFFICE OF The Woman's Journal, No. 5 PARK STREET. Boston, July 7 1884 This being Monday, my dear people. Edith and I are at the office - It is a cool lovely day. We rode to the [wagons?] last night. Miss Bernice Morrison went today to Mr. [Bowditch?] [and a] [man] to make her will. And a man has been here today to find how he can make his will - for us. Mr. [Bowditch?] has $2513.76, so I must call the committee before long. I sent you to New North West. and sundry letters & Woman's Journals. With Much Love L. S.[* ...Mr and Mrs. Herbert B. Cushing and Mr. Thomas Cushing are at North Scituate Beach for the Summer. *] OFFICE OF The Woman's Journal, No. 5 PARK STREET. Boston, Wed July 16 1884 Dear Alice We are still having cool weather. The thermometer is at 56 every morning. The pinks are out in great profusion. The perennial pea is red as t blossom and very pretty. The row of candy tuft around the floral bed is white with blossoms, and the Escholtra blooms with the lovely shades of yellow - There has been so much rain that every growing thing thrives. There was a great [Bl???] meeting last night that papa meant to attend. But when he came home he did not want to go back. But he means to send you a [report] Herald with the report. And especially desires you t read Mr. Hoar's speech. I should like to see the old [altick?]. No doubt I should know every one of its articles great deal of care, as you would know if you had ever tried it. I think you had better stay part of the time with Ellen. We have heard nothing from E.O. all be off. Mamarescued the dried beef. Lizzie is sewing for me today. and Edith is picking currents for the jelly. Young Browning came out and took the both of us Monday Evening. He was a classmate of Edith and Mrs [Vogle?] is invited for tomorrow. Emily writes that she goes to Vermont today and will be here early next week. The Franchise bill is still in limbo with the Lords. Yours of the 14th telling us of the rain storm and the drenched victims has just this moment come. Poor Emma! She will all the more not care for a house so far from the beach. We have sent you a good many papers. The New North West & several others. Shall mail some more today. We are all well. The paper is coming on well. [Do?] [?] you do not stay in the house and work. and be sure t find from Emma just in what way you can be of most use t her. She has a large family, and it is a [*July 8, 1884] I sent to [Sq???chet] the day after you left a letter with darning cotten in it. I have sent a card or brief letter Every day since. Also Nos. of the last Woman's Journal. [and] of the New North West. and today I send this day's Herald with the [roar?] of the beginning of the democratic Convention. I also send today some elastic for Alice's hats. I am sure she will need it. One piece is silk, and strong. the other is good cotton elastic. I hope the white leghorn hat wont be used too much, as it will be nice for fall. Shall send the other black one, with the flowers that were yellow. A.S.B. letter telling us of the arrival, and the events at Geo.s and [?] has just come 10.30 July 8. We have had a good laugh over it. it gave us a vivid picture, and will be good as a journal bye and bye. I hope Emma's burns are notserious. if Agnes does not give her [health &] help Enough, you had better stay till her hand is better and relieve her. - I Expect to hear of a rail road laid from Cottage City to Gay Head with H.B.B. for capt. in chief. Alice had better not write letters or any thing. Best let her brain lie dormant - glad Flo looks so well. It is all due to physical Exercise in good air. We had peas from our own vines for breakfast and the black caps and white raspberries are beginning. Edith has had one letter from her mother, one from Agnes and one from Grace. We are all well. It rains today between whiles, and is cool. Thermometer at 62 - Maggie got a photo on the 4th which she does not like and she can think of nothing Else Office of The Women's Journal No 5 Park Street Boston, 88 Dorchester July 31 - 1884 Dear Alice Yours of the 29 telling us that you should move to [Slla.?] and that E. O. would go home for her teeth came [yesterday] today We are vexed that you do not get the things we send you. These Journals are sent to you Every week and other papers many of them and a card or a letter Every day The Journal this week has in it a lot about the Cleveland scandal. We had a family council including Emily and we all agreed it was right and best to put in what we have Nothing is said publicly about Blaine but the tale against Cleveland is shocking with names of persons and places and particulars confirmed by Baptist Clergymen of Buffalo, and other witnesses if needed. The press generally Excuses and evidently thinks such an offence isnothing against a candidate for the presidency. It shows a shocking state of morals - It is clear the women are needed in politics I [mean] mean to go to Gardner tomorrow (Friday) and stay till Monday - Emily has been here since last Friday - she meant to have gone to the Vineyard early next week. But she cant go [well] while Ellens male guest is there, and is very sorry, as she wanted the month of Aug. there - I will remember about the dried beef and the thermometer. 2 letters came today one from Marian, and one from Anna But I have not yet read them. Marian and all her household are going up to Hastings. Lizzie will go home [now] tomorrow or next day. She is pretty well now. is at this moment out with Edith picking currants and raspberries With much love Mamma. Office of The Women's Journal, No. 5 Park Street, Boston I88 Dining room Sunday 6.50 o clock A.M. July 20 - 1884 Darling little Hubbe. I think of you as at Flo's this morning. and with a day with E. O. before you. It must be such a treat to come to the clear head of E.O. with its active human interests. as a change from the other kind. Letters are here for Dr Emily. and we had a card from her saying she should be here early this week. Lizzie is half sick with a bad gathering or something in her Ear. Her cheek is red and swollen. and she [fells] feels miserable. Edith went to the Art Museum yesterday. and with me in the P.M. to see Miss Whitney's Theodore Parkes. It is a sitting statuette figure, very good. but a marble bust of dear old Mr. Sewall is perfect. We have had three committee meetings about a general agent. without a definite result. We are to have another on Monday at 1 o'clock. Mr. Hopkins has been asked to take it. The jelly is made. There are plenty of raspberries & currants & black caps. Maggie eats the little red as tractor applesand now the details are being discussed. Harry Stafford has moved back to Washington. He lost a great deal by Mrs. Villard's case. His wife is in Philadelphia and will be there this summer, while he will be in Washington. So he wrote me the other day. I believe I have told you that [Jimmy?] Browning came out to tea. Col. Clarke came out to look at a lot below Mr. Mott's, and Mrs. Clarke and the little girl came next day. The Concord school begins tomorrow. Mr. and Miss Channing are to go. Col. T. W. H.'s poem was in time for this week. But the other one was set up before hand. So I told Mr. Simonds to let the one already set, go in next week. You can [?] [?] what to do next. But I should think we had better just skip one of these you had selected. Nothing has been heard from Mr. Howard, except Lissie. We are all well. The perennial peas are a perpetual joy. The flowers are doing well. [*Winston has sent the year's subscription to the W. J.] [*L S 1884*] OFFICE OF The Woman's Journal, No. 5 PARK STREET. Boston, July 21, 1884 My dear child I have today written my will - I have given you the bulk of what I have. There are $4,000 in stocks as you will see, which you can do as you please with. The house in Claremont Park I have given to you, but papa to have the use of while he lives. The Montclair place you are to have the use of. But if you have no children, I have divided that property or its proceeds as you will see. I have made you and papa joint owners of what Mr. Eddy left or to which ever of you survives. Now as we may both die suddenly, you should make your will: E.J. can will $2000 in Kansas Consolidated [?ail] [Wood?] [Bonds?] $2000 Oregon Im-provement bonds. and the fee of the Claremont house. in addition to your Iron Mountain stock - A letter saying what you wish to have done with it would be binding as a will. Upon papa if he survives us. If you survive me. I advise you to keep the property a good deal is real estate. Mortgages, or houses to rent. Bonds or stocks are always liable to be stolen they can be stolen just as a dollar bill could or made away with but land stands, and houses can be kept insured- The Montclair property is a good investment. But it may be sold as the opportunity comes to do well with it. and the proceeds had better be put into real estate - It may not be well to sell the Montclair property for some time. It is rising in value, and is safe to keep-dont get entangled with the project of Geo._ There are good men like Mr. Bowditch who will advise you as to investments. I think in case of your death before papa, you should give 2) him the Claremont-Park house. i.e. in case you have no husband or children. Whatever from the investment of the Montclair place takes. You have only the use of it. I have done this to ensure you an income always - you will have about $12,000 besides the Montclair- I wish you and I had more knowledge of business. But it comes with experience. Dr. Emily will be good to advise. But it is better not to have business relations with [the] ones own family. Have your [propety] property clear by yourself. Mrs. Ames says the house her father left her has done her more good than all her stocks. She has an agent who rents it for her or gets it rented. and she has a clear income over taxes, repairs, insurance - Learn to file your papers. and label i.e. "July 1884". or Aug 1884 or tax bills 1884. or receipts 1884 and have them tied strong. What a pityyou have not always had the habit of this. But begin at once with the tax bills - I hope we may live on together, a long time. and I hope I have not in trying to ensure you an income, limited you in the comfort of the property. But whether here or there darling little child of mine. my heart will always be warm to you - Be sure you are right and then never fear -Try and get an intelligent conscience. I fear you are giving into bonds, that reason would let you out of if you would reason Ever affectionately Mamma I shall put a copy of the will in the safe. July 21- 1884 OFFICE OF The Woman's Journal, No. 5 PARK STREET. Boston, Friday July 25th 1884 Dear Alice I came in as usual t look out at the printing office for flaws but by some whirl or other I could do nothing and I left. and came here, Where I found Miss Turner's sister, as Hattie is sick. Your father had invited Governor Warmouth of Louisiana, and his wife to [tea] dinner_ but luckily they could not come. The govenor is a very pleasant man, but Lizzie is still sick, though much better, the weather is hot and close. And Emily is expected. So I did not care for other company_ Your last letter told of the escapade of th umbrella, out the back of the white herse and one card [* took dinner with us, day before yesterday_ Edith went with me t see a lovely bust of Mr Sewall of Anne Whitney and by herself t see the Natural History rooms Always aff. Mamma*]has come since - Got a letter from Agnes said you walked one day 3 times back and forth between the Serpent. and Flo Niles as your legs are your own. I have nothing to say. only that a time of resting is not a time for over fatigue - I wish dear little E.O. could feel that too. There are horrid stories about Gov. Cleveland given with names of persons and places. Papa is bound to put it in the Journal. I have decidedly objected_ and he has now gone to ask Mr. Bowditch what is best to do about it = I believe papa told you that Erysipelas was the matter with Lizzie - We are all well. shall I send the [cheomos?] that came from Prang just before you left. t honor Howard's birthday. We are all well. Expect Emily today, or tomorrow. - Constance Hooper is to arrive next week. and Ben [* Lucy Stone*] At Home Dining room- 8.30 o'clock P.M. Tuesday Evening OFFICE OF The Woman's Journal, No. 5 PARK STREET Boston , July 29 1884 My dear child, Your letter of the 27th telling us of the Extraordinary plan of Ellen to bring Mr. McKinnon there has come to us today - It is one of the wildest and most foolish things I ever heard of to bring a man into a house of barefooted half grown girls. Emily is vexed Enough. She says Ellen hardly knows him at all - and that he can carry back to N. York. among her circle or these who will hear from him of the rough and tumble slip shod way they live. and she naturally does not not wish that - Your father means to go to the Vineyard when Sam goes. and he does not want to go now. and he wont go. Emily had written Ellen that she was going next week Tuesday But she says [*=card - and there is great rejoicing. and [parade?] made over the [??inias] - Hotter is better. The Independents are in a quandry Cleveland is a very bad man and they have gone in for him! Always aff Mammashe shall not go while Mr. M. is there. It is a great pity Ellen should have done so foolish a thing- I hope you will stay over with E.O. and let Mr. M. make himself happy by walking and rowing & riding with Aunt Ellen. Perhaps E.O.'s mother has not the right P.O. and that is why E.O. does not get letters.- or your curious postmaster may have kept them to read himself- I do not advise E.O. for though she is very precious to me I know she will not heed(,) but I wish you would both take gentle [rowing?], and not too long walks. "take it Easy." and so rest. Of course you help Flo. and when you go to Ellen. you must help them. and try and get the little girls to take some regular part of the work. It is very cold here. We have a fire this Evening. and there are great islands of ice on Coast the The Greeley arctic Expedition has been found and res=Gardner Sunday Aug. 8 - 1884 Dear Alice All the family have gone to church and after trying vainly to write an Editorial I concluded to write letters instead. and this is the third one. First I want to say that if Ellen's male guest has not arrived that he should be immediately written to to defer his visit. Emily is longing for the Vineyard air. and for the Children. but she could not have any comfort while a male guest has crowded into the house. She had planned for August at the Vineyard - It is too bad that she should be cheated of it. Urge Ellen to put the man off- I found Aunt Sarah as snug and neat as possible - Uncle Henry was just selling $500. worth of land. And at his haying also - getting the hay in after dark and milking by the light of the lanterns. The girl Katie stands as Lyllia Danec does like a grenadier. very straight. She went to a Catholic picnic yesterday. and Aunt Sarah carried me all around the wonderfully growing town. Sarah says that people like Mr. Phelps. (Elisabeth [Stewart's?] brother Bret he has no courage. Agrees with Every body when he is with themHe does nothing Especial to help temperance or to hinder it. and lets himself float with current: Even selling is gaining in the town and ["shoddy show"?] increases. It seems a hopeless [art look?] - It is too bad that one who sets himself up for a leader. should not lead. Mrs. Stanton and Miss Anthony have come out with a circular. "Stand by the Republican party." in which they say suffrage has no hope Except with the republicans [?]. They do not allude to the scandals about Cleveland. It reached us too late for notice in the last Journal. and Wilcox telegraphs "Suppress it. It is doing us great harm here." Best we shall have to notice it - this week. The Union Signal does not come to us. so I suppose you have it sent to you. I sent you on Friday the "Christian Union". and "Register" But I imagine you do not get half we send you. Your perennial peas are very beauti- =ful. and the row of white candytuft around the oval in the flower garden is beautiful too. Aunt Sarah has curly white poppies (double) and hosts of white & purple candytuft - Lizzie Hooper was to go home on Saturday. She is not strong. but she said she is now as well as Ever. They mean to make a family change when Constance marries & goes. Emily & Edith want to go to the Vineyard Tuesday. They would surely go. if it were not for the male guest - I Expect to go back tomorrow at the usual time. With love to all of them and Much to you. L. S.Dining room Aug 14. 5.30 P.M. My darling Cubbe [*1884*] Papa will tell you the news but all the same I write to say. yours for the 13th reached me that day and was welcomed both for the affectionate words that came with it. and for the remembrance of the day-: Mrs. Sullivan (the old drunkard) has been up Every day to help with the work. The house is all swept. the beds neatly made. &c. &c It seems snug, quiet, and nice. Maggie is steadily improving. she goes down in the garden. And has a good hearty appetite - But her [feelt] feet and legs swell. and she is to take salts. Michael is making over the strawberry bed. But the cold wet drizzling days are not good for gardening. as they are not for you Vineyarders - I am sorry for you all. Tell Emily & Edith that we got their letters. You shall [roa] read them this to save special reply. I havethe medicine Dr. Emily wanted and the annual report of her college. Also some pieces of your dress. as it may need mending -all ready to put in Papa's satchel- I wish you could have some of the fruit. black berries, peaches and apples. I had two old ladies one 73 years old, the other 63. in Tuesday - to lunch. Mrs. Woodman and Miss Limist - We took them to Uphams Corner on their way home. Mrs Livermore writes that she and Mr. Higginson are in a "furious correspondence. he beginning it. on the Cleveland matter. He says Mr. Blaine is "vulgar". and ought not to go to the White House - Mr. Crewell has sent a letter. which we are to publish Mrs. Cheney has her say. and I have add one is a short Ed. We are all pretty well. I am entirely so - Give my good will to all of them - When is Ethel to come here? [*Will you send me Lizzie Hopper's address.*] Never mind about the rejected articles. Geo Wm. Curtis found it difficult to get his first book published - L. S.[1-031.] 3:30 P.M. Office of The Woman's Journal No. 5 Park Street Boston, Aug. 18 1884 Dear People This day at the office has been very interesting. The professor of Greek at Kansas University Miss Stephens and Miss Finch have been in and the young Russian who is very intelligent. Mr. Livermore, Mr. Ford, Mrs. Haseltine with an article, and most of all a Mrs. Marguerite Moore fresh from Ireland, who is a lecturer and worker for the land league. She seemed very docile. But very earnest for her Country--and we had a pleasant talk. It is very hot today. Clara staid at home. But she founda great snake this morning in the blackberry bushes--Michael went to kill it, but it got away. I suppose letters went to the house today, and as I come in early I have not had them. This is written so it may be sure to go by tomorrow's mail. I am to come in tomorrow early to meet Mr. Howland, and I have asked Mr. Bowditch. Mrs. J.W. Smith and Miss Sereqie to come too to advise, and see what had best be done. All well--no news. smell pistols. just to say how you are. The feather bed has gone off. I suppose you expect Cushier tomorrow. Love t all L.S. Dining room Sunday Aug. 24/84 My darling child. THE WOMAN'S JOURNAL No. 5 Park Street. Boston, I88 This is one of loveliest of lovely days, cool and fresh like a September day. It must be charming on the beach - But I suppose you went to church. Papa went to the P.O. and on his way back stopped to see how Michael had tied up the sorghum, the dried [that] had blown down. He found it all done wrong, so he has worked away at it ever since trying to tie it up. He is there now at 9 o'clock. He took Ethel to the Natural History rooms, and to Bunker Hill Monument, and the Navy yard yesterday. Today she is busy reading, sitting out on the shed roof under the grapevines. She seems a strong, sensible, healthy child, full of force, and capable of something sometime--The plumbs are ripe and the pears are ripening--Mrs. Pratt ran over bare[beee] headed yesterday to call. Mrs. Codman and her son came up the evening before--Maggie has a plan to go with Mrs. Cahill. (I believe I told you) to sell bread [*answered a letter that came for her. Hope she got there safely--Love to all of the kith and kin. And ever so much to you Mamma*]and other things. But nothing is decided only that I must look for someone else-- The Advance, and the Independent are out strong against Cleveland. I have had an 8 page letter from a Mrs. Walsh in Buffalo taking Cleveland's part, and saying he was seduced. That he was very fond of the Halpin woman till he found she had a number of men besides himself, &c &c. I have not yet answered it--old Mrs. Newell, an old anti slavery woman came into the office to thank me for what I said in the Journal about Cleveland. The N.Y. Suffrage Society, the Polk Co. (Iowa) Society, Mrs. Haggard & Mrs. Gorogar. all resent the advice of Mrs. Stanton, Anthony and Livermore to stand by the republican party--Lilian Clark has written me, not excusing Mr. Cleveland. But saying how sorry it is to have a person [?] a bad story, and how hard to take it back. I sent a roll of old lines to Emma when I heard there were boils. I hope she got it - We are anxious about Sam's foot. But suppose he has to go today I sent you the Harper's young folks and the Compaion this week. We are all well. I have written Clara and Pope's Hill Office of The Woman's Journal No. 5 Park Street Boston, Aug. 31, 1884 Dear Alice Yours telling us of the blueberry party &c. came yesterday. You must have had a merry time--We are rather more than usually busy. Mrs. Howland is staying with us, planning for suffrage work. Ethel too makes one more. Aunt Nettie has sent word that she may stay 2 or 3 weeks longer if it is convenient. The coal is being put in, and the cows broke out of pasture yesterday. And the Cleveland case stirs up. I wrote a note to T.W.H. and asked him to take a second thought & not just put it in. I said if that had happened to his little daughter which happened to Maria Halpin he would not write it. But he sent back word that we might put in as it was, or drop his name, and he would as soon be dropped altogether. So we put it in [*10:30 o'clock another letter of yours just came also one from Emma by which I learn that Clara has gone to I sent to each by same mail to ask Emma to come home this way Tell her so if you see her*] communications fairly rain down upon us from all directions and on all sides of this nasty matter Two more cards have come from the library here saying books are over drawn. One is on my card, and one on yours. The first one was H.B.B. and not A.S.B. Tomorrow is Sunday, and we shall be by ourselves I hope, and we will take a look--I have not heard a word from Clara since she left though I wrote her a letter that required an answer. Has she gone back home. I sent a card to Enid to tell her the horse was better so she could have some rides. I hope she got it. This is my mother's birth day. no it is tomorrow. She would be 105 years old. Miss Wildes bird is dead. It took cold last monday. Dont spend too much time reading. Sit on the beach and see the waves, & the breakers, and just doze and rest. We are all well. Love to all L.S. [*I have sent the [young?] [Trotters?] and [Christian?] register this week I am very glad indeed to hear you seriously intend to learn housekeeping ways. In the present state of society it will fall to the best conditioned women to make bread or to know how to make it, and to order a house, and she is at dreadful disadvantage if she cannot do it--She may at the same time be in a "family way" and then the disadvantage.is double. Wont you find from Ellen just how she makes her pie crust; papa liked it very much. Dont take so many and so long walks, your M.P. will be sure to give you pain in that case. Take more exercise with your arms. Tell Emma we expect her and her household. She must let me know when so that we can secured[?] their arrival. Dorchester Sunday morning Dec. 28/84 Darling little Alice Your letter telling us of the sixteen at the Christmas dinner came yesterday. We were glad the occasion had been so pleasant, and that everyone had a good time--James Jackson has been sending us tit bits. First he brought some white bell flower apples, then he brought some snow apples and some "Golden drips" This last is a kind of molasses which he especially likes. You will have a taste of each when you come home. Lizzie Maud was in the office yesterday looking very well. The reception to Miss Mitchell was very pleasant. Mrs. Cheney presided. Every one had a little dread lest the absence of Mrs. Howe should take away the social charm but it really made no difference. Mrs Hollingsworth told me she and Rose had lovely cards from you and though they did not know where you were, they remembered you. Those waited on the guests, as did Miss Channing, Miss King & Mrs Todd. Lucy Newbelland Miss Channing made the group with which I sat at lunch, while close by sat Mrs. Mosher and the wife of the governor of Mich. and Mary Dewey. So it was a choice little set and very pleasant. Mrs.Todd said Mr. Todd came home elated and asked them to guess who of his old scholars had sent him a Christmas card? And then he displayed yours with a whirligig of delight. After the lunch Miss Mitchell said that she always carried to her pupils for her Monday lecture the things that were said at this club: that last year they had been greatly interested in the account of the School of Technology--the fact that the meeting was to be reported to the Vassar girls made every one say better things-- Christmas cards & envelopes with something arrived for you, and are duly put on your drawer--Miss Lily Chace Wayman has sent her first article which is poor. Col. T.W.H. has sent a note to say we "shall always be friends". But his last article is characteristic. He says he has been devoting himself to educating women up to the franchise so when Miss May and Mrs. Howe are prepared he will no doubt see that the ballot is given to them! Geo F Hoar dined with the Massachusetts club yesterday and made a speech for the blacks, and said it was "the business of government to see that every human soul had his equal rights". H.B.B. was called on and made one of his best speeches. I was in the horse car that took Mr.Howe to the depot, and he seemed glad to see me and said he had heard my husband just before. He told me a good deal of Chief Justice Greene, who is his cousin, but I must tell you that when you come back. Mrs. Howe is not in paradise. Her department so leaks in the roof that the goods have not been opened. The southerners are so slow that northern peoples are fretted to death by them. We are all well. It is moist today and misty. The ground is white, and papa is in the barnwith his precious sorghum. He is at the chemists so much the Simonds sent to the office for him and said he "treated[?] him the worst way" But papa is taking genuine comfort out of it and that is worth a great deal. I have just put in pickle 46 lbs of beef to dry--papa went to the market for it-- I hope Aunt Enid will come this way with Cornelia. I shall write her so With much love MammaLucy Stone to ASB. July 29, 1884 It is too bad that E's little holiday is made a time of drudgery for so many guests, in addition to the three children. But a wife is like a horse harnessed in with the whip behind, and she has to draw. L.S. to A.S.B. Boston July 16, 1884 We are still having cool weather. The pinks are out in great profusion. The perennial pea is read as to blossom & very pretty. The row of candy tuft around the oval bed is white with blossoms, and the escholtzia blooms with the lovely shades of yellow. xx There was a great Blaine meeting last night. Papa means to send you a Herald with the report, & especially desires you to read Mr. Hoar's speech. I should like to see the old attic. No doubt I should know every one of its articles. Lizzie is sewing for me today, and Edith is picking currants for the jelly. Young Browning came out & took tea with us on Monday evening. He was a classmate of Edith. And Mrs. Vogl is invited for tomorrow. The franchise bill is still in limbo with the Lords. xx We are all well. The paper is coming on well. Be sure you do not stay in the house & read, and be sure to find from Emma justin what way you can be of most use to her. She has a large family, and it is a great deal of care.