ANNA DICKINSON FAMILY CORRESPONDENCE [Dec. 2, 1872-Dec. 19, 1872]1710 Locust St. Phila Dec. 2. 1872 My dear and precious Sister, I snatch only a moment in the midst of the many demands crowding into an hour or two this ev'g, to say that we laid our darling little Florence away among her kindred this afternoon; with an intense feeling of thankfulness that we had not to leave her elsewhere, & as it were cut off from us. The idea of laying her anywhere else was very painful to us all. Mother is tired, but otherwise better than when I left home. John & Martha I hope will both be better after a good sleep to-night. Edwin bore his journey well, is in good spirits with his prospects under Smedley's treatment of renewed health. Will return there in two or three days by the direct route. Maria has been a great comfort to mother, and Louis Weichmann kindly attended tothe adv. &c. for her. To-morrow I hope to write thee in full about Florence. I know it has been a sore trial to thee to be away from J. &. M at this time, & obliged to go on with thy work with a heart aching with love & sympathy. Thee has felt very near [for] to us all through all the time. Poor "papa Greeley". Yet that too is wisest - must be best. And the nation will be his mourner. With dear love from all, Sister S. I find thy letter here enclosing draft, & one to mother. Have had no chance to read them yet. Will before sleeping. 1710 Locust St. Philada Dec. 3. 1872 My dear Sister I made a promise last night which I am not able to keep. People today have left me not an atom of time. So I can only say we are getting on fairly, and thee shall have all items and information as soon as possible. With dear love from all -- (& Martha says, with their love, they are counting on seeing thee when thee comes through N.Y.) Thy loving sister S.(read alone) Christmas: —————— Oswego N. Y. Dec. 4 1872 Dear Dickey, The enclosed — open letter will explain itself.— Have my letter, & her ring put together in a little package.— (the ring had best he placed ina box) & forwarded to her. — at once. I'm sorry to take the ring off thy little claw if thee has grown to like it.— but it can't be helped. I don't know how the package ought to be addressed.— Thee sees how she signs herself. —Her name is Lusie, & she has been divorced, so whether it ought to be Miss or Mrs. I dont know. As I think of it,— perhaps the best plan would be to have the Express man direct it, & direct it just as she writes it, & to the "office of Supt. of Public Instruction." (which office she holds)Topeka. Kansas. I have stirred my brains to find an idea for Mother's Christmas present, — & at last, the only satisfactory thing I can think of is a small Afghan for her sitting room naps. She gave away her little quilt; & has now nothing nice to put over her. A little Afghan— of the same size as the quilt, in beautiful colors, with M. E. D. put onto it, is what I should like. Please see Miss Constance above, & ask her if she will put it in hand. Thee was to give me some Christmas suggestionsbut has made none. — Did the last check for $150, sent from Amsterdam (I think) reach thee, & the little hat-bag from Whitehall,— & what are the state & condition of thy finances. Has John any seriously added expenses at this time,— & of what amount are they.— How long did they stay at home, & do they come over at Christmas time, & what is the word with Edwinns. Thee has forgotten to send me Charlotte's address, & so I have to send another of her letter to 1710. Please see that she has it. What is the wordin Phila.? I want thee to please send to Noah Brooks (Tribune office) immediately on receipt of this, the "Springfield Republican's report of "Things Hoped For." Art well?— & comfortable? — I hope so, & am always faithfully thine AnnaPhilaa 12 mo 5" 72 Dearest daughter Yes the remains of our dear little Florence, was committed to the bosom of Mother earth, on 2nd day afternoon, the hour for gathering, was published to be at 2 oclock, they did not arrive here from N Y until about 1.30 an hour later than was anticipated, dinner was in waiting for them and while we were at it the company to meet for the funeral, had assembled in the parlor which was pretty well fill'd Joseph Pulman one of Jhon's clerical brothers came with them and gave a nice little discourse chiefly relating to Florence and her last sickness and death, and the love of Johns parish’ners to him and Martha and the great sympathyfelt for them in their loss She was laid in the parlor in a very handsom casket,very beautiful flowers brought with them the gifts, I think of friends, the cofin lay open She look very natural and as if in a sweet sleep. I and M feel it much the lattr more deeply and no doubt will be of longer duration, we had six carrages, a number here did not wish to go to the ground, among those who could not go was cousin Mary Harris and Lizza McCabe. I of course did not go, Susan and J Pullman went with J and M Edwin and Mary went together cousin W and RH together with P Sinking also went. They staid one day with us left yesterday morning for home Susan accompaning them. She thought it would be so desolate for them for a day or two expects to be back tomorrow, Maria with me at nights Edwin lift this morn'g for his home, I fear he is not very much improved, I have littl faith in the treatment Mary staid to tea 2nd day W and RH third day we were pleasd with Pullman and he seemd to enjoy his being here is soninlaw of Bella Cook. Thy letter of yesterday did not come to hand until [m]after they left that to me came this morning after E left I fear my dea child thee is not so well as would like thee to be, how is it? thee is not so strong as thee once was, and it behovs thee to take greater care ev'ry way of thyself, my cough is better tho, my old frame has been much shaken since my last summers sickness, thee has said nothing to my letter relating to christmass concerns certainly thee must follow thy own inclination with regard to Christmassmatters, I feel but little interest out of out immediate family except for the same children and same benevolent objects, the means for which i am indebted to thee for a sum of from 30 to 35 dollars if thee feels it right to afford it, have been out but twice since thee left, once to get my Minna dress and a few other necessaries and once to the Square shall try to go again if the weather permits. i think Annie Gibney would prefer a dress, not black Eliza Clark. just step'd in, sends love, do my dear try to arrange to go and see Mary and cousin Hawkins, when thee comes home lovingly thy Mother M E Dickinson what sad feelings does the death of H greely produce how desolate his children must feel poor things 2219 E 27th N.Y. 4 P.M. Dec. 6- 1872 Little Sister Susie came here with us Wednesday P.M. Thy loving letters have been received - we thank thee heartily for them and all they stand for - We have but little to say & do not feel like writing - I will write to Ed to meet thee on the 12th - We left him in Phila. he is now probably in Avon He can give thee fuller news of our sore loss and of the incidents, the funeral &c. Is thee to be here on the 17th? What is the lecture to be? & who manages it? Is not Oliver Johnson too much occupied to give it proper attention? Let us know when we may expect thee - Susie goes to Phila on the5 P. M. Train & must start in a few minutes, she takes this to mail as we have not thy address— with love I am Brother John Darling Sister I haven't anything to write, only that thy tender words of love have been a comfort and I shall be so glad to see thee. This heart is more sore and sad than I can tell or need to, to thee, but my heart goes out to thee. [O]our dear Sue is so good and has helped us much we will miss her sadly, she goes home soon. With a great deal of love your sister Martha9 P.M Friday My darling Sister, Have just reached home, & found thy letters. I wrote acknowledging the receipt of the $150 before returning to N.Y. Will to-morrow answer questions in full, & send Mrs. 'Wright's ring & thy letter at once in the morning. The Sp. Rep. shall go over to N.Y. in to-night's mail. I could not let J. & M. go back alone & twas well I did not. Ma has still some cold, but I find her better. Maria has done her part well, & Dr. looked after her. We had a lovely afternoon Monday, but I have not time to write to-night, & do all else waiting, so must wait for the morning. With dear love from ma & self Sister S.1710 Locust St. Philadelphia Dec. 8. 1872 My dear Sister, I sent thy package of letters last night, without having time to write, and fearing to delay them. So many things were crowding for attention in-doors and out when I got home late Friday ev'g that I had to take them in turn, as fast as possible. To speak a word of myself, first, that may allay the anxiety thee feels and expresses, the demands of the last ten days, coming directly after a very busy fortnight, have taxed my newly regained strength pretty decidedly, but it has borne the strain admirably; and I find myself to-day in good condition. Mother's cold is certainly better, - and she has borne things better than I dared to hope. Our little Dolly had grown very dear to her, since lastspring especially; she had been so much more with her, and the dear child was developing so rapidly a very lovely character, thoughtful and tender for others, and very loving— and her mind was wakening as it had scarcely seemed for a time (as we know) to promise. but John and Martha— I scarce know how to write of them— they are so utterly desolate, so broken and sad. After the services in the church Sat. ev'g, (they were to be in the house, but the congregation came in such numbers it had to be otherwise,) he tried to say a little, and I doubt if there was a dry eye in the building as he told them that henceforth no weeping mother to whom he spoke of resignation and God's love could tell him he knew nought about the suffering, "I know all about it." He looks so old and so broken, it makes my heart ache to see him and think of him. And Martha looks utterly desolate. Yet they are neither bitter, not disposed to give way and slight duties pressing upon them. But the going back to the empty house on Wednesday told on them almost unbearably for awhile. Mr. Delamater and Nellie Soule' have been the greatest comfort to them that friends can be, also Joseph Pullman to John— I had not suspected Mr. P. to be capable of the fine feeling and deep sympathy he displayed. He offered to accompany them to Phila, gave all of Friday to making different necessary arrangements for them; and in Phila he spoke at the house of Florence and told some incidents of her illness in a very tender way, and offered prayers at the grave. It is an inexpressible comfort toJohn and Martha to have her laid beside our other dear ones gone before; John said "it seemed now as if she were 'snugged away' in the bosom of her family". The thought of laying her away among strangers was one too painful to all of us to be entertained for an instant. She lies with the space of one grave reserved between her and Samuel, which brings her at the foot of father's resting place. We had a lovely autumn afternoon to take her there. The sun was setting in faint crimson as we entered to graveyard, and when we drove away the new moon and the evening star were standing over the spot where we had left her. There were a number of friends at the house who could not go out to the ground— among others cousin Mary Haines & Lizzie McCabe, who both had to go home that ev'g. There were six carriages full to follow her— holding none (2 but those who really cared.— She looked in the casket in her full-waisted white dress, and surrounded by the beautiful floral emblems poured in in N.Y. with some added here, as if she had fallen asleep among the flowers. It was very hard for Mary, specially at the ground. Monday was the 2d, & the 3rd was the anniversary of Samuel's going home. Florence left us five years from the day that you all came home— Thursday, Nov. 28. 1867 That too was Thanksgiving day. Mother did not go to the ground with us— it did not seem safe for her to venture. What thee says of Martha's hopes and plans for Dolly's future is even more true of John. He said it seemed as if his part in doing for her were just beginning— that there was not a day for the coming four or five years that had not her in it. The books & materials for object lessons he had gathered for her are lyingeverywhere, and he was taking such interest in her music lessons and all that she was growing to take an interest in. Edwin reached N. Y. on Sat. morning, having travelled all night. The despatches sent him from N. Y. and Phila on Thursday ev'g were not delivered— through neglect at the Avon office— till 9 A.M. Friday. He bore the journey better than he or we could have expected, and it was well for John that he came. He is more hopeful for himself than I have seen him since he came from Cal. We left him here on Wednesday, as he had to go to the dentist's that day. Thursday at 8.30 he started for Avon over the North Penna & Lehigh Valley roads to Elmira. He was due in Avon at 10 that night. We have not yet heard from him, of course. John was to notify him Friday ev'g of thy wish to see him in Rochester on the 12th, which I shall also do to-day to make sure. He will have enough to go over. Owing to matters in the summer, which I will presently explain, when he came on the other day he had not enough to take him back. I gave him $30 on Wednesday, and John was going to send him a checque for some small amount on Friday ev'g. In the summer John, it seems, had but $25 to give M. when she started to the Wilderness with Edwin. E. never would give her any account, but her calculation was— as they found the trip so much more expensive than they expected— that she owed him at least $100. This they meant to return him as fast as they could through the winter, but the church is behind in paying salary, (as I believe Methodist churches generally make it a rule to be,) and the first instalment was to have been repaid Ed. on the comingquarter-day (to-morrow.) The heavy funeral expenses are of course all to come in yet. Neither the undertaker in N. Y. or S. Fogg will send in a bill immediately, but there were a number of minor matters to be paid for on the spot, and the coming over to Phila & return. One of John's members— one too from whom he had expected nothing, pressed a gift of $20 on John in such a way that it could not be refused, and I paid out altogether here and there and on the way about $40. That with $30 to Edwin, & $20 paid for mother at Stokes & Wood's where she got her new winter dress and various other matters for herself, have taken nearly $110 of what was meant for other purposes. Mamma said as thee had not yet been able to send what she wrote for she must have those things without waiting longer. 3 That, I believe, tells how others are standing. I will presently give further financial statement. But first some other matters. Nearly two weeks ago a box came evidently containing picture. That I opened, and it is lying in its paper on bed in 3rd story back room— "Marguerite." Yesterday a package came from Boston which, according to request, is laid in that same room unopened. I have acknowledged the receipt of the Amsterdam draft. Don't know whether I did of the Whitehall trunk. It came, & the clothes it contained are washed. Mr. Robbins cleaned Susie Grantley Wright's ring yesterday morning, and himself put it and thy letter up; sealed, and started it prepaid, by Express yesterday— putting on the full address that I gave him. So her persecuter,her legal husband, is dead— and the old love has proved true and waited. I am very glad to take her ring off my finger for such cause, and hope there is much sunshine in life yet awaiting her. I am not so hopeful, not at all glad, for another engagement renewed— little Ivy’s! She writes me, "Now I have something to tell you, that I hope you will be glad to hear. All the troubles are smoothed, the crookedness all put straight, and "I am my love's, and he is mine." All the better my dear friend, for the terrible, terrible storm through which we passed, that so nearly made shipwreck of both our lives. There is no explanation of this new step, except that he came to me, repentant and loving, and I couldn't help taking him— and I am gladder every day that I did." I found her letter here Friday ev'g. but after what has passed, of which Fanny told us, I don't see where any guarantee for Sarah Ivy's happiness, in that young man's character, is going to come in. The Springfield Republican's report started to Mr. Brooks on Friday night. I never could find little Ivy's letter for Bernard. Charlotte had her letter yesterday morning. I surely sent thee her address— I thought at some time mother wrote three or more weeks ago. I hope no package has failed to reach thee. Her number is 922 Wallace St. Mother opened all thy letters while I was gone, and read them, notwithstanding what thee wrote at the top of the Oswego one. Well, she says with exceeding emphasis that she wants no afghan, and is going to make her a stripedsilk quilt. That she wants mainly money for her charities (some $50 I think she is desiring.) Beside that, the only thing I've heard her express a wish for is gloves. She is more than ever desirous of having Xmas kept with small excitement and sending out. Edwin, of course, will not and might not to be here. It is wholly uncertain still about John & Martha. By the 17th they will be better able to decide. At present the thought is very painful to Martha. If they do come Martha has specially put in a petition that the way may be opened for Mr. Delamater to come for a couple of days. I thought of thee, & thy dislike to visitors at such times, but he has grown into John's & Martha's very hearts, and Nellie Soule' will be in Phila at that time. And M's heart is so set on it if he can come that, at this time, I could but say we would make a way [*if he and they wished. Indeed, after this last few days he seems very near.*] 4 — Aleck, I think, is going to do very nicely. Of course he needs more training, as I have had small chance to give him much since he came. He will have to be supplied by Xmas with a strong, neat suit of clothes— must be made to look better. Mother suggests that whatever is given to Rebecca be chiefly in the way of clothes for the children, Coal— which thee spoke of getting her— she can get at reduced rates through some benevolent asso. For the rest, ma feels quite sure that the charge brought against Rebecca is not without foundation— that her breath is frequently strong evidence against her habits. For the young woman whom we like so much— I am sorry indeed that I can keep her only about three weeks longer. She told ma we would first try it for a month. But there is a young man in the question, and he has been down after her this last week, and I can't hold her.John's suit, ordered by ma, and Ed's pants & vest, likewise of her ordering, have come home from Wanamaker's. The one bill is $65. plus $2.50 for repairing old suit— the other $30. making a total of $97.50 Miss Maloney makes out two bills— thine, a hat in summer $10. & felt hat since $8. = $18. Mine, new bonnet $16. & making over old one $6. = $22. Total $40. Allen's bill has not come in. The little chair & the cushion have at last come home, and they have some chairs repairing. I think that will finish their work. I have to look after Marcellus to-morrow. The curtains have not been put up, nor— of course therefore— the papering bill sent in. Clark sent in his bill for cellar & dining room work $38.50 but the air box was left unfurnished with a valve, which they only got in two or three days ago, and there is still something about the damper left undone, which they promised to return for, and have not yet. I sent the Shakespeare's to Albert La Rue, but forgot whether the flexible cover was to be [green] black or crimson. And he says there is choice of three materials in the flexible backs— cloth, morocco, and calf. Says they will be ready in about a week, or from that to ten days, after receiving final order. When I sent the things to Earle's I sent also the Greeley & Summer portraits; they are in walnut with an inner rim of gold. They have come home, also Mr. Phillips' likeness in that frame that held the mosses. The two portraits were put in heavier frames than I ordered,but not so much so as to warrant changing. The chromos have not come up, nor an easel to fit the YoSemite on that little stand. It kept sliding off the clock every little while — fell to the floor two or three times with no one near, & will do so still more easily with its rim on. I went down yesterday. Mr. Edgar Earle says the remainder shall come up this week, and that the sum total of the bill will be $44. And I just remember— Park the gardener, who takes care of our lot has not yet been heard from this autumn. He has done his work through the summer. I have paid up the provision & other house bills, & wages, as we went along and two quarters (instead of one, as counted for,) up to Nov. 13th for the piano. And with what else I have told thee of earlier in the letter, finding some one must wait I asked Mr. Branson to, knowing him so well and feeling freer, and he said he could do so with perfect ease and very willingly. I have now but between $25. & $30. 5 I forgot to tell thee that thy red wine came home. There is no other kind in the house— if thee wants any in advance of thy coming, say which kind. Mother says she has written thee what to get for Annie Gilney— also, with reasons why, not to get for Green St. Martha wants a little book case to keep Florence's books in — she is not going to scatter them at all. Mrs. Mackenzie who has just been looking for one for Marion — thee will remember the older two have each one — says they cost from $6.50 to $9. A butter-dish and soup ladle, thee may remember, were what mother wished to give John & Martha. And I was to order, or find, for Edwin some shirts. I am going to give Martha a locket. (I expect to be able to pay for that myself, though I am now necessarily behind hand with my work) with Dolly's likeness in one side, & place for her hair facing. I brought home a little ferrotype, the bestpicture they have of her, and Lothrop says he can copy it in larger size and make a good, clear picture. They want several copies in photograph, & feared it could not be done from such a cheap and tiny picture. Mother says she shall send in next door only some little things for the children. Suggests only some little moment for the house, from each, for Mary. And a ribbon or some trifle for R. Griffith. There is to be an exact copy in wax flowers, (Martha ordered them through Maria,) ready at Xmas of the little bouquet in Dolly's hand, & the delicate wreath of white hyacinths in her hair. They will be $15. I think some of us had better give them to her. I sent thee some time since May's glove no., & have forgotten it, but I suppose thee has it. It was either 6 1/2 or 6 3/4. Thee wants me to tell thee what to get for Mrs. Mac— I should think a nice chemisette, or gloves. If thee is going to send cuz. Wm. a book— that being the only unanswered question I find— I should say Whittier's John Woolman, or Macdonald's "Unspoken Sermons." I give John a copy of my porcelain picture— the same negative that hangs in ma’s room. The Summer and Greeley portraits I meant to give away, as thee proposed getting others, & I think we would prefer a smaller one of papa Greeley. And thee offered me the Farm Lard churns for somebody, & I have some few little things. I don't propose going out of a very small circle this year. I have a note from Mr. Reid, only a note in such a crowd of business, in answer to some words of sympathy I wrote him on the 30th. He loved Mr. Greeley, very deeply.If I had not known it before I should after his last visit here two weeks ago. Ralph Meeker has written two or three times lately. His last, of the 30th, is a burst of sincere & impulsive grief over Mr. Greeley, as is also my friend Mr. Barrett's, of Pittston. For myself, I seem to have no words yet to say what I would of him. I had no idea how deeply his life and character had touched me, and this ending is so sudden,— well, he is in the light, beyond. Edwin will see thee on the 12th, and he must tell thee of our dear little one's illness and patient suffering. I have written so much to-day, and am not yet through, that I don't feel equal to it— on paper. And it is not much longer to wait. They are counting the time till they see thee in N. Y. Mother joins me in dear love. And I am always thy loving sister, Susan E.Fredonia, NY. Dec. 9. 1872 Dear old girl, I'm glad that thee is at home once more, & hope thee is getting rested, from what must have been a long hard strain. This is a word on business, merely, my letter goes to mother.--Enclosed thee will find my bill for Mrs. Proctor,--(I wish the white silk gown were back again. - I got it for Miss Faithfull's reception & never had the chance of wearing it. - Thee will have to get married, my dear, & so give me a opportunity,--all the same, at present I wish it were in greenbacks) - I send it to thee with the draft because I believe there is some hitch about a draft in her name - get the money & settle it & bring away the receipted bill, & ask her to send up my little white silk sacque that she has been altering. - I wish theewould sacrifice thyself in my service, & say thee "is sorry there has been any delay about the bill, but thee has been from home."-- Also, has a receipted bill been sent up from Robbins, Clark & Biddle? If not will thee stop there, & ask for it, & if it, & the draft came safely from Amsterdam. I need to know at once if it didn't.-- I hope thee is well.-- best love from Sister Anna1710 Locust St. Philada Dec. 9. 1872 My dear Sister, I wrote thee a long letter to Warsaw, and have had a busy day, so this will be brief. Our dear friend Mordecai L Dawson was called higher on Saturday ev'g. He had been in his room, it seems, only since Thursday,— but he has been failing slowly but surely for the last eighteen months. Mother had a very sympathizing visit to-day from Mary Whitall, and Eliza Gibbons. (Thee remembers her— Chas G's wife— Mr. Dawson's friend.) Annie Gilney is here again to-day. She came for only two or three days after thee left, and has not been here since, till now. The weather here haschanged very cold to-day. It snowed for a little while; but the snow seems to have been frozen up. With dear love from mamma and myself, Sister S. 1710 Locust St. Phila Dec. 10. 1872 My dear Sister, Thy letters must start for Rochester to-night, so I take up my pen to send mamma's love and mine, there being no news to send. A few lines from Martha, read this morning, speaks among other things of the comfort which thy sympathy and love has brought to her and John. From what she says I judge he is somewhat better physically, than when I left them. Mrs. Crowell paid us a pleasant little visit this afternoon. Talks of sending thee a letter to Cortland. Ma was not so well yesterday— better again to-day. With dear love from us both to Edwin & to thy self, Sister S.1710 Locust St. Philadelphia Dec. 13. 1872 My dear Sister, I sent to the P. O. yesterday morning a second package for Cortland, with directions to forward to N. Y. if it missed thee there. It contained a number of letters which had just arrived, and I thought the N. Y. ones probably needed to reach thee at once. Yesterday morning I followed the body of our dear friend M.L. Dawson to its last resting place, at Laurel Hill. The funeral was a very large one, and every one seemed to be a sincere mourner. Dr. Henry Beardman, (the Pres. minister at 12th & Walnut,) made a most beautiful & touching address at the house. What an outrageous move is this of Sinclair's to sell out Mr. Greeley's own paper in such manner to Grant & the administration. There could scarcebe a worse insult offered to Mr. Greeley's memory. Mother sends her dear love, and wishes me to say how much she was interested in, and obliged for, thy long letter. She was greatly amused and pleased with thy Watertown matron. I acknowledged the receipt of that letter, and of the draft for Mrs. Proctor on the envelope of one of the letters in yesterday's package. I had no time to write more, as I was just starting for the funeral. I remember thee asked about Bret Harte in Phila, in one of the letters I could not answer at the time. As the date drew near which was set for his appearance, Mr. Pugh announced in the papers that Mr. Harte could not be here at that time, but would close the Star (1st) [?] in Dec. Whether he was here while I was in N. Y. I have not heard, nor thought to ask. I will make inquiry. I have not thought of it till just this minute. I have not been at a lecture, save thine, this winter. Was prevented from hearing Tyndall on any of his evg's. Don't want to hear Frinde, as every one says he is such a tedious reader, never lifting his eyes from the manuscript; and as a historian I had lost all faith in him long before he set foot on American soil. I went to Rubinstein's, and several of Theo. Thomas's concerts, and to one given by Mrs. Chas Moulton in connection with Carl Wolfsohn's orchestra. Other evg's have been spent at home entirely. I must stop, only ma wants me to remind thee not to crowd any Xmas shopping she is to do into the last two or three days, as theremay be no weather then in which she can go out. There have been so far only two days since thee left home on which she was well enough to go. She is better now, but not well. With dear love, Sister S.219 E 27th Dec 11 1872 Little Sister I wrote to Ed to meet thee in Rochester tomorrow & hope he recd my note tho’ I have not heard from him since— if thee sees him ask him if he recd a cheque for $25.- which I sent him The Tribune yesterday announced thy lecture for next Tuesday Eve (17th) When shall we we thee & for how long? Where does thee spend Sunday? We are getting along as well as could fairly be expected though our life seems very strange & unreal— I hope thee is prospering— Martha has gone out to see her doctor. The weather yesterday was bitterly cold but has moderated a little With dear love I am John— A note from Sue tells of the death of Mordecai DawsonKnickerbocker Hall, VEDDER & SMEDLEY, Proprietors, Avon Springs, N. Y., Dec 16th 1872 Dear Sis I write this line because I want to know as soon as possible the results of thy investigations at home since I ought to have returned that little affair Friday morn. to be carried home but didn't. The "Rochester Dem. & Chronicle" is the only morning paper published in R. & perhaps the "leading" Republican paper of Western N. Y. The Express is also Republican. The Democratic paper simply had a third of a column report but a good one for a short article. I feared thee hadn't seen these & might be interested. How are J.&M. Give them very much love & let me know how things go in N. Y. I wish Mrs. Crowell might have from me next week some neat little "useful" article. How long is thee at home next week; & howare mother & Sue according to thy observation? Thy loving bro. Edwin D E Lamater1710 Locust St. Philada Dec. 16. 1872 My dear Sister Mr. Price brought the letter from his wife within an hour after thee had left the house— is very urgent thee should come: said thee'd stayed with them once several days, & had paid him a farewell visit "at his camp" before he went off to the war. Promises thee a warm house all through, & not to overflow thee with visitors— & will thee write or telegraph them on what train to meet thee? After all, as it was undecided for so long, I don't know whether the Jeanne Darc waist goes down to Mrs. P to be pulled apart or not. If it is to be, please write. I have notified A. La Rue of the crimson [m??ces], & paid Fogg, Earle, & Wannamakers ‘Tis & has been too stormy to accomplish the others to-day, Clark promises to finishthe furnace work to-morrow. The pictures are in Sauter's hands, with orders. Likewise the table, in Allen's. I mail John, Fogg's receipt to-night. The driver reported that he got over in plenty of time. I hope thee lost thy headache,— and found the Cortland package at John's. Other things are being attended to, but I can't stop to go over the list. With dear love from mamma and Sister S.Knickerbocker Hall Avon 12/19/72 Dear Sis Thine just recd and I haven't time to write to get this of this P.M. My confidence in the mails has been following the thermometer in the winter, & not in the Summer till it is now near zero, so look for the gold & jet by express; the accompanying cross, purchased at Niagara I think I'd like Edmonia to have. Thee didn't tell me whether my old pen & holder would answer the purpose intended. I'm in pretty good trim the past few days. Muchlove to all from bro. Ed.