| | 1 | Author: | Mathews
Cornelius
1817-1889 | Add | | | Title: | The various writings of Cornelius Mathews [...] complete in one volume  | | | | Published: | 1997 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | University of Virginia Library, Early American Fiction, 1789-1875 | UVA-LIB-EarlyAmFict1789-1875 | | | | Description: | It grieveth me much to communicate by this,
tidings that thine uncle is deceased. He departed
this life on first day morning, of a malignant
fever, as I am informed by Dr. Slanter, who attended
him during his last sickness. His malady
wrought much change in thine uncle's
looks, as I can state from personal observance,
having inspected them with great care immediately
after his lamented decease. The funeral
takes place third day morning, but too early
for thee to come up; thou hadst better not undertake
the journey, as it may overweary thee,
thou being of a feeble constitution (as I know),
from a boy. Thine uncle hath left no heir, as
thou knowest he was never in wedlock; consequently
thou art his successor in the homestead,
and whatsoever cash, moveables, and
stock, he hath left. I would advise thee to
plough the meadow behind the house, and to
sow timothy in the blue grass meadow. The
garden needs to be looked after, and the fruit-trees,
as they are at present well-stocked, should
be thinned out. Perhaps I had better use the
kitchen herbs and early apples for my own
family use, until thou comest hither. My spouse
Deborah says they make exceeding good pies.
Zekiel can pluck them, and it will be no great
trouble; if it be, a small commission will make
all right between me and thee. Zekiel proposes
to gather the vegetables and fruit for us in consideration
of thy letting him have a little of the
live stock; a pair or two of the fowls, and a
well-looking calf that is just cast by the spotted
cow. I regret to add that Gideon Barley's fine
red heifer hath strained her off shoulder, and he
may lose the crittur. I recommended salt and
water for the animal; whether Gideon will use
it yet is not decided. The old people are well
and ask the stagedriver daily (as I have observed
from the kitchen window) questions concerning
thy welfare. I would bring this news
to thee in person, and be enabled to satisfy thy
grandfather and grandmother touching thy progress
and behavior in the Babylon where thou
art, but there is much ploughing to be done, and
I am deprived of Zephaniah's aid, he being sore
of a foot with a seythe wound. Leonard hath
gone over to tend the mill for Miller Kirby, and
Zekiel will be busy running to and fro betwixt
us and thy garden and orchard. Advising thee
to keep from the snares that beset the feet of
youth in the ungodly city, and recommending
thee to pay thy tailor's bill, and avoid the night
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