University of Virginia Library

I wrote a letter to send by Mr. Joseph Stevens, who expected
to leave to-day, but as he determined to remain until
Mrs. Stevens should seem better, we thought it best to write by
mail and not send that letter. I mention this that you may see
I am at least a day or two later in writing than I had expected
to be, but the variety of little matters that occupy my attention
must be my excuse for not having written last week. As the weather
has been very delightful lately I suppose you have concluded
that Grandma was getting on as usual in regard to her health;
and so it is, she says her cough is no better but thinks her
strength has increased somewhat. She & Mamma expect to go to Aunt
Maria's to-morrow to stay about a week I reckon. They looked for
the carriage to-day but Mr. Rives came in and told them that in
consequence of some farm arrangements it would not be here until
to-morrow.

We all feel very uneasy about Mrs. Stevens. Mr. Stevens
wrote in reply to a note Mama sent to Mrs. Conrad, that she had
been suffering intensely for 48 hours, but he hoped she would
soon get relief. The child had not then been born—late this
evening the note was written. I do hope she will get over it safely,
but there is much to be feared from such prolonged suffering.

Mrs. McGuffey seems to be getting much better—she goes
to Mrs. Courtenay's and to her father's and can eat what she
pleases now, so that I hope she will pass through her trial without
any very serious result.

Grandma just heard yesterday from Mr. J. Stevens the issue
of the Sale, and was a good deal disturbed that Old Coly was sold.
She was very anxious to keep him and thinks she would have bought
him if she had been at home. She wants to hear from you all very
much, with especial reference to all matters of house-keeping
and management in general. She wishes to know what has been done
to the Cistern as the perfect silence both you and Aunt Mary
maintain on that subject seems to intimate that it stands as she
left it. She wishes also to hear something further about the fodder
and the gathering in of the winter supplies. Among other
things she wants you to have the corn in the small lot hauled home
in the wheel-barrow by the boys; the husks taken off in the cutting-room
and the corn dried to make bread. Aunt Clarissa must
fill up the Celery to put it in a fair way to grow. How is Clarissa
coming on? Grandma would like to know. We have never yet
heard anything from Aunt Caroline about her trip—can't she be
persuaded to give us some account of it. Tell her I am very much
obliged to her for the worsted etc. and must give her credit for
being a most satisfactory shopper, at least as far as my commissions
extended. Mary would like to hear from Cousin Fanny about
her bonnet. The fall is advancing and she would like to know
whether she bought one or is going to make one, and when she will
send it to her.

Grandma feels sorry that she cannot go back home with Mr.

Stevens and Miss Lizzy Conrad, but her visit is not out yet
and she is not ready to go. She has been expecting to return
when Mr. Rodes some time ago spoke of going—the last of this
month or the first of next. But she has not seen him since he
came back and does not know what he intends to do; though she
heard he was going over next week perhaps. She wishes to know
if you want her at home. Tell Aunt Mary when she comes, Grandma
wants her to bring some of her pieces of poetry and the letter
Aunt Mary wrote her, in the top drawer. And when you have an opportunity
you might send some apple-butter, if you have it to
spare, as the boys like it so much.

We were glad to hear that Aunt Margaret was going to stay
with Mrs. Ross. I am sure she will be pleased, for they are such
exceedingly kind and amiable people.

The new Professor and his wife arrived last Thursday, and
we called on them Friday. They are staying at Mr. Rogers' until
their house is furnished. Hearing that she had been the belle of
Louisville, we felt a little apprehension lest she should be too
much of a fine lady as not to feel at home with us. But on the
contrary she is very simple and easy in her manners and I hope
we shall find her a pleasant neighbor.

Grandma says she wants to see Minnie very much and sends
her love to her.

The family unite in love with me and Grandma to you and
all the family with you, and Aunt Margaret and her family and
to Aunt Baxter also.