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Aug. 16-22
Too hot for church. Call to see Mary Walker and her little girl which is now over two weeks old. She is called Margaret Douglas. Aunt Sally, Aunt Ria and Miss Vallant start on Monday for New York. We will miss them all much. Aunt Sally gave us a great many charges before leaving-such as taking care of Uncle Bob, the children, chickens and cats. This latter are left especially to my care. As we keep the keys while she is absent we expect to live like Queen Vic and the bill of fare for the next two weeks will be equal to The St. Nicholas unless perhaps too many cooks may spoil the broth and our goodies turn out badly. I'm sorry Aunt Ria has gone from among us for I feel much attached to her. What a pity that she cannot live near to us. Spend two days at Kinloch. Have a merry time-the house full of company. Quite a number of their Yankee friends. Met [David Meriwether Anderson] is very homesick until he gets back to Uncle Bobs. Johnny laughs at him very much for crying after Lizzie Dee and Tommy [Lewis, Uncle Bob's children.]. Cousin Tom takes me on a nice long ride on horseback. We go through the Tarleton Wood [named for the British colonel, Banastre Tarleton, who raided Albemarle County in 1781.] We had dinner at the Creek on Thursday. Find Cousin Sarah in bed but in fine spirits. Molly and Mr. Fry [Mary Carr Lewis and John J. Fry, Cousin Sarah Lewis' daughter and son-in-law] are with her. They leave for their home in the far west on Saturday 22nd. A letter from brother Jim. He thinks his health has improved. The Dr. says he ought to stay longer. He talks of sending for Sister Mary and little Dick. Things are improving at Music Hall. The little riots have been quelled without any difficulty. The servants insist that I will not go home until their master or mistress return, as they must have someone to look up to. I wrote to Aunt Sally and brother Jim. Get a letter from Mary Lewis. She talks of joining us here very soon, also hear from Mammy E. Sally Pride, she tells me, has a daughter. Ma is very poorly. I feel as if I ought to go home. Finish reading Hedley Vicars Life. What a real hero he was. Lizzie Dee and I have a ride in "The Black Warrior" to Keswick. The weather cool and pleasant.
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