Owego [New York]
Tuesday Afternoon, April 4, 1882
Dear Sister Augusta,
We went over to town and up to see Sarah Saturday and read
your letter telling about James. We all feel so sorry for you and James too. If
you only lived near us so we could assist and comfort you. It seems so hard for
you to have such trouble and so far away from us all. I know you have good
friends there and am glad they are so kind to you. I hope when we hear again
that James will be better and will soon be well. When you write, tell all the
particulars about him. I hope [your son] Willie is better for it is too bad that
he should miss his school. You must have had your hands full for awhile.
I thought to write Sunday but did not feel very well. I
have not been feeling well for over five weeks. My stomach has troubled me
again. Am weak and get tired quick. Am careful about eating and think I will be
all right.
[Our daughter] Fannie has been staying to her Uncle Ephraim
Goodrich’s since Charly died over four weeks. She came home Sunday to help me
and do some sewing before she commences teaching. She is going to teach on the
back road and board at home. Hannah wants her to board there but I don’t know
as she will. Expect she will commence in two weeks and we have a good deal of
sewing to do and I wanted to clean house some if we could.
We have had three days that seemed like spring. Today we
have had the door open all day. The grass is starting a little and the winter
grain is looking green. It is clouding up and thundering. Think we will have a
shower. Fannie walked to town this afternoon and her father expects to go for
her tonight if it does not rain. She went over to have a dress cut. She will
send a piece when she writes to [your daughter] Mary. She and Fred said they
would write in a few days. She has not had time since she came home to write.
I received a letter from [our brother] Ralph some time ago
and I want to write to him today if I can and send one tonight.
[Our sister] Sarah took cold last week and had the
neuralgia in her head. She was feeling real bad Saturday when we were there.
Mrs. Alex Taylor was buried today. They lived on Gurd commenced plowing for oats
today. He has no man [to help him] now. Fred had a bad time last week with his
teeth. His face swelled and almost made him sick. I will not write any more now.
When the children write, I will again. I do hope you are all well again and that
James is getting better. Hope some of us will hear [from you] this week. Write
when you can. We all send love to you all.
Ever your affectionate sister,
Mary [Goodrich] Horton
