University of Virginia Library

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Your very kind letter reached me on yesterday about noon
& I was making preparations to write to you in answer Tom Yancey
& his friend Mr. Jones came in, & I had to take Fannie's place in
assisting Ma in some work she was about, in order that she might
entertain them. Addie is still away & all such responsibilities
here are resting on Fannie. I regret it exceedingly for tho' I am
still suffering a good deal I intended writing you a good long
letter.

I am glad to hear that Mother is having better health &
hope that she will be content to stay constantly in doors & not
run the risk of taking cold & increase her sufferings by going out
I promised myself the pleasure of seeing her & all of you this
trip of Pa's, but owing to my recent attack of nervousness & neuralgia
& the cold changeable weather I must be disappointed. I—
suffered intensely for some days & nights. My nervousness was so
great that the least sound or jar caused by walking across the room
almost crazed me. I yet fear that 'twill yet send me to the lunatic
asylum. I feel a great deal better now, pretty nearly free of pain.
but still ache a good deal in my left side, from head to foot as
usual, & my nervos are by no means composed. I hope tho' by being
prudent & quiet to be in my usual health soon.

I had heard of Mrs. Effinger's death but never heard any of
its particulars. Was she a member of any church? How mysterious
are the dispensations of Providence! Mrs Spears death had not
reached us. Tho' she had such a death like look last summer I cant
realize that she too has gone to the spirit land. Oh how important
to live for Eternity! to let all that we think say & do have a direct
intent to please God our Father, & thereby secure his continual
favour. Then tho' death may come at any time, even as a thief
in the night we will have no fear-nay we would welcome him as the
faithful messenger of our Father to take us to his bosom of love-to
join with the redeemed & loved ones where sorrow & parting shall
never, never come. Oh for grace to die daily to the world & live
afresh to Christ. God requires the whole heart or none at all, &
yet how the most of us live-one moment for God & hours perhaps days
for ourselves & the world. Oh! Father forgive us & help us for the
future to break loose from the world with all its sins & pleasures,
& give our hearts unreservedly to thee.

I have much to tell you about but Pa is ready to start & I
must stop. I will write to Mother this week if I am able. Give my
love to her & all. If Carrie & Fannie think the straw bonnet will
do for Minnie & will not cost as much as a new one, get them to
have it fixed for her if you please. I would be glad too if you
would get for me enough cruel white & crimson to make rigolettes
& comforts for Lute & Minnie. I will only want crimson enough to
make the balls-the rest white, & 1 yd. of buff calico like the
dresses Sister Mag. gave the children. Minnie got hers stained & I
will have to take some out of the skirt. If Miss Bettie has any
pretty material for hoods & dont cost too much I w.d be obliged to
you to get them-the down too. The children send all kisses, My love
to every body. Very hurriedly but affectionately your Sister