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Sept. 14-20
Sue, Kate, Lizzie D. and I go to Church in the morning and hear Cousin Dabney Davis preach ....Go again after supper and have a beautiful sermon from Mr. Joseph Wilson ....Monday Kate leaves for the University and Lizzie Wood, Mary L [Anderson] and Nannie [Anderson] go down to Uncle Bob's and Sue and I are left to take care of the housekeeping. A terrible dog fight tonight. I'm awakened by the most horrible howls; rush to the window and see there are four of the men servants, [and the dogs,] Bruno, Jack and Parr, all after one poor dog. Bruno does the biting and shaking, Jack the barking and Old Parr stands off a silent spectator of the scene. The poor dog gets a most unmerciful beating and makes for home, no doubt resolving in his mind never to visit again such inhospitable neighbors. Jack got a very bad bite from a hog the next day, a judgment on him for his bad treatment of the poor wanderer. Read such a delightful book by [Nathaniel] Hawthorne called Miss Travis, An Old Maide. [On] Sept 17th go with Sue and Daddy to Mr and Mrs. George Macon's reception at his mothers. Get there about 2 o'clock PM and find a number of persons assembled, some 35 or 40 ladys and half the number of gentlemen. About 3 o'clock we are invited into the dining room where a very nice repast is spread out-cold meats, bread, pickles, etc on a side table and a long table set out with goodies and ornamented with flowers so that anyone who felt too ethereal for such substantials as bread, meat and ice cream might follow Dr. Macon's prescription and sip the dew from the rosebuds. Cousin Mildred seemed much at home and was bobbing around saying something pleasant to all. George looked happy and lazy. Get home by dark-very tired. [On] Sept 18th put up some tomatoes in cans. Wrote to Sally W. and Lizzie Dee. We are disappointed in our trip to Orange with Brother Jim. It cost me a few sighs. Finish reading Natalie by Julia Kavanagh. A letter from Miss Vallant. Ma and the children get home on Saturday. I deliver up the keys in good form. No tears shed on the occasion. Ma much improved in health by her trip.
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