University of Virginia Library

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We are thinking a little strange of not hearing again
from you by letter. Pa came over last week and brought a very
favourable account from you. I hope you will continue to improve,
& will be sufficiently braced up to stand the winter
pretty well. Time seems long since you left & you don't know how
much we miss you. I dont reckon I ought to have told you this-dont
think about it—we will all do as well as we can while you
are away. We are not as lonely now as we have been. Carrie got
home last friday evening, & Fannie on Sunday morning & make
home more cheerful. Carrie is looking pretty well, & was very
much pleased with her visit. Fannie I think looks rather badly,
& not so cheerful as I expected to see her. She complained of
fooling badly all day yesterday from loss of sleep on the night
before. After resting & sleeping more I hope she will feel better.
The dreaded sale is over. Oh! I felt that I would have given
any thing I have in this world if you could have been here. It
came upon me like a thunderbolt. I didn't know it was going to
take place then, until the day before Pa came. Ah! I cant tell
you how I felt and still feel. My husband is gone & his books,
medicines & every thing are scattered, & with them goes my heart.
My every wound opens deeper, and bleeds more freely than ever.
I am beginning to feel that I am a widow, that nought but sorrow
& desolation is mine. But with this I must stop.

Old Mrs. Gambell died on Saturday evening & was buried at
the cemetery on Sunday. Mr. Bell preached her funeral at the stone
church, a most excellent sermon they say. I did not go-it was
raining so much that I was afraid to turn out. Sister Mary &
Carrie went—they said the family, Miss Bell especially, seemed
most deeply afflicted. No doubt she has made a happy exchange of
worlds. We have not heard from Mrs. Lofland for several days & I
presume she is living still. Mr. Stevens has been complaining of
his side a good deal for several days but is better today. Joe
came home with his mother last week—he is looking very well & is
talking of going ever the mountains next Wednesday. Virginia conrad
speaks of going with him to Charlottesville & stay a while &
then she will go to Richmond to spend the winter. She looks very
much improved, though she says she fools very little better than
when confined to her bed. Old Mrs. Conrad was a good deal ailing
a few days ago, but is better I believe. I did not hear what was
the matter with her. Virginia Miller has been ill too, but is
better they say. Poor Malinda Nicolas we fear will not be with
us long—she is very feeble indeed. I believe she has given up
all hope of getting well. 'Twill be a great trial to Mr. Nicholas
I know, to give her up, he is so devoted to her.

Willie is very sprightly & interesting. Fannie thinks she
is the smartest babe that ever was. Sister Mag. is here now, & is
very well. We are making another short dress for Willie. She looks
very sweet in short dresses. Minnie is getting rather jealous of
my sowing so much for Willie—very often asks me why I dont sew

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