 | |  |
Feb. 11-27
Mary Lewis and I go to church and hear an old sermon from Mr. Meade....On Monday the 12th John arrives. We are so glad to see him back and to hear that affairs have turned out so much better than we feared they would. He left Nannie comfortable and in kind hands. Her Aunt Bet says she means to take care of her. Dave is kind and attentive to her. I believe he will try and make amends for the past. Nannie's little babe was born on Friday the 2nd of February. My kindest wish for it is that it may not long sojourn in this world of woe for being the child of sin and shame naught but misery can be before it. She called it John after John Mac. Poor Nannie! She has indeed fallen from her high estate. What poor frail creatures we are, every hour turning aside. Oh, for more faith in the daily prayer that we may not be led to temptation! John Mac had only a peep at the Pike neighborhood and the natives. He got to sister Bets in a "storm party" and was introduced to a number of the clan. Brother Peter among them. He saw Sam Eastin and his new wife, [and] Sam and Lizzie Minor. John thinks Missouri a great country .... Daddy gets me such a nice shawl in the place of mine that Nannie carried with her. It is a perfect beauty. A letter this week from Lyd. She tells me some bad news. Brother Garret's oldest daughter [Bettie Minor] was burnt so badly that she died immediately. It happened on the 3rd of Feb. The child was in her sixteenth year. Brother Garret was also badly burnt trying to help her. Poor little Eliza very sick all the week. Friday night the 16th at about nine o'clock her sufferings ended for God called her home. Dear little babe, it ought to be a matter of rejoicing to us all for you to be called away from your sufferings for your whole life has been one of misery. It is hard for Sue and John to give her up but they both say they cannot wish her back afflicted as she was. She was two years, six months and one day old and in all that time I don't suppose she even enjoyed a whole day of perfect ease. This world was in reality a vale of tears to her but she is at rest now.
"Another little form's asleep
And a little spirit gone
Another little voice is hushed
And a little angel born
Two little feet are on the way
To the home beyond the skies
And our hearts are like the void that comes
When a strain of music dies."
| | |