University of Virginia Library

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Agreeably to my promise I sit down this evening to give
you some little account of the incidents of our journey, and to let
you know that we have arrived safely. From Harrisonburg to Staunton
it was pleasant enough as there were only two passengers besides
ourselves, but when we left again in the afternoon, by the negligence
and indifference of the stage agent we were permitted to get
into a stage which was to go only as far as Waynesboro, and after
suffering no little anxiety lest we should be dropped there by the
other coaches which were considerably in advance of us, we at last
came up with them at the tavern, but only to find them full and the
passengers not at all disposed to be obliging. The agent however
compelled them to let me enter one where there were six grown persons
and 4 children. You may well imagine that I felt as if I were
delivered into the hands of the Philistines when Mr. Smith got on
the outside and left me among such savages, but there happened to
be one young gentleman who was so kind to me that he quite made
amends for the rudeness of the rest, and afterward when he found out
from Mr. Smith who I was, he said that he had become acquainted with
pa at Old Point and we became very friendly before we parted. This
morning we got here as early as half past six and found them expecting
us. Mr. Smith visited the Asylum and hospital while we were
in Staunton, but I spent almost the whole while in my room, reading
an interesting book I found on the table at Mrs. McClung's. Pa and
George left on Thursday so I missed seeing them They had not decided
positively on the route they were to take, so that there is no
certainty of their visiting Harrisonburg but it seems to me altogether
probable that they will. Pa expected to be absent only for
about 10 days. Mr. Tutwiler wrote to tell pas that he would pay
him a visit the first of September and we are all anticipating much
pleasure from seeing him. It has been so long since he was here that
I do not recollect at all how he looked. When he sent his letter he
was in Baltimore and expected to go as far North as Boston. Mama
was very much obliged to you for the lima beans and beets and we all
enjoyed them to-day at dinner. Fowls are very plentiful here and
Ma wishes she could find an opportunity of sending you some chickens
The University looks exceedingly desolate now. There is not a single
family on the other side of the lawn. Dr. Howard and the two little
girls returned this evening and Mr. Courtenay is looked for next
week. To my surprise I found Peachy at home, he came in yesterday
from Aunt Maria's on foot and seemed to be but little fatigued by
it. I believe he was feeding his chickens in about half an hour after
he got home. Mr. Broadus and Maria will come home to-morrow if Mrs.
Whitescarver is atall better. I have been busied all to-day in putting
away my clothes and fixing up my room and as you may suppose
feel quite tired now which must be my excuse for so short a letter.
I found Bob's head more bald than ever and he seems to have grown
a good deal even in the few weeks of my absence. Ma joins me in
love to you, Aunt Mary Jane, Aunt Mary Rush, Aunt Margaret and Aunt
Caroline. Kiss Minnie and Willy for me. Ever your affectionate
granddaughter