Albany Jan 31^st
My Dear Sis —
Your letter came last evening just as I had come
to the conclusion that you were some of you sick or dead — yesterday
morning little William came in with what I thought a packet
of letters "so I have got a letter at last William" said I — " yes" said he
"not a letter either but a billet" and handed me a billet note of
invitation for Mrs Blanchards party for this evening — I could very
easily have dispensed with the invitation at this time — I wanted
a letter and the note did not at all satisfy me but the
letter itself did come in the evening and after that I did not
feel half so much inclined to quarrel with Mrs Blanchard and her
party — little Fan had been sick and that was reason enough for
not writing — You did not tell me what had befallen Joshua or
whether you yet had any one to supply his place — I was very much
amused with your description of the ball you attended — I believe
I have done going to balls as I do not care any thing about dancing
there does not appear any good reason why I should take any extra-
ordinary pains to pass my time in disagreeable company — Henry has
subscribed for the Assembly's here this winter for me as he says
but I feel no inclination to attend perhaps I may go to one just
to see the performers — I am sorry the seal occasioned so
much anxiety — we did not dream of its being thought black
it is the newest style for notes and Henry thought he had been
very bountiful in sealing your letter with it just to let you
see it — it comes in little sticks about the thickness of your little
finger – is of course much more expensive than the other kind –
but all this might have been obviated had I made use of my
motto "Alls Well" as Henry proposed doing but I objected to this because
little Fred was not well and I thought it would affect your
confidence in the assurance another time — I do not believe if any
one I loved should die I should be particular about the wax but I
know Henry frightened me so once with a dark wa wafer when I was

at Florida — You ask me if it has been as cold here as it has with you
last Thursday was said to be the coldest day we have had this
Winter — I know I could not keep warm with a large shawl on
all the time — it is warmer now — I will make enquires about the
dye for the hair the first time I go out — I like the Wordens they
appear to think so much of you — I will enquire the price &c
and purchase some for Amanda if she wishes it and send it the
first opportunity — Henry has gone to the house today to conclude a
speech which he commenced yesterday on the United States Bank
he had the horrors dreadfully yesterday was very much afraid
people would think him a fool — his face is not much
shorter today and I shall be glad when it is well over he spoke
yesterday 2 1/2 hours — It is in reply to a speech of Mr Edmonds
in which he was pleased to make some harsh observations about
Antimasonry — Of course Henry's ire was roused he has said many
very severe things in return — I was afraid a little too much so
but Maynard said not and he knows — I dont think any one
thinks the speech "flat" as Henry says — the Jacksonians have said
some complimentary things to me about my husband’s eloquence
and all that and the anti's all that I saw yesterday appeared in
fine spirits any thing but ashamed of their speaker — I wish you could
hear some of this speech — Mrs Cary and Mrs Julian are going to the house
today — every body says I out ought to go of course but I think differently
I would not for the world hear any one speak in whom I am particularly
interested — I am sure I shall never attend any of Gus examinations
when he goes to school — I shall know when Henry comes home by his
countenance how the matter stands — so I will tell you — Last night
was a night of good news – beside yours and Wordens letters – Henry
received one from Fred Whittlesey saying Mat Vanburen's nomination
had been rejected — Mr Cary actually danced for joy and Henry
could not eat drink or sleep — the Jacksonians looked cross enough
this morning at breakfast except Green Bronson he said now they
could have V Buren for Vice President or Governor — So Matty
will have the pleasure of recrossing the ocean — A letter also came from
Tracy — they are at Macon Georgia where he has a brother living
his health is better but they will not return until March —

I wrote you I believe last Wednesday or Teusday the next day I
went into Mrs Cary's room to see her she being sick — I took some cold
and the next day had a return of the toothache — it ached all day
Friday and all night — Saturday morning I got up very courageous
and sent for Mr Douglas the Dentist — it was a whole hour before he
came of course my tooth did not ache any then — I told Henry I
thought I must experience some of the sensations a person does who
is going to be hanged — Henry at length went out to reconnoiter and retur-
ned with Mr Douglas — he talked some time about the horrors of toothache
warmed his hands and his instruments of torture — then looked at the
offender said he thought he could extract it without breaking it
— cut the gum — tried the turnkeys — they did not fit — then took
another pair of his own invention — they were no sooner on my tooth
than it flew across the room — I must say with much less pain
than I ever imagined a tooth could be taken out with — my jaw
pained me about ten minutes and then I was quite happy — I told
Douglas that I thought for such a saving of pain one would be com-
pensated for a journey to Albany — I liked the man — he appears to
have some sympathy in his nature — that makes me think how much
I like Dr Williams — I was really quite sorry when he discontinued
his visits — Saturday I was afraid of taking cold did not leave my
room — Mrs Blanchard called — did not see her — Sunday evening
I went out to tea having been confined to my room more than a fortnight —
I was glad to get out again and the boarders all very civilly expressed
their satisfaction at seeing me if it was not sincere it was heart
cheering — Dodge said our table was again illuminated the day we
all met once more — Mrs C— and Mrs J — both having been absent
during my illness some days — this was the silliest speech made
on the occasion therefore I record it — I do not know that any one
expressed more pleasure than La Forge very genteelly done too — I
therefore continue in my belief that he is amiable — Mrs Beardsley little
girl an boy and nurse came on Friday — Saturday evening she came to my
room to see me but I had gone to bed at 8 oclock having been kept awake
the night before — Last night Mrs Cary and I went up to see her — she
has rooms in the 3^d story — I should think her a good plain woman without
a particle of refinement – talks incessantly — I think continues to wear the
new flannel garments yet at all events her little girl does for she undresse[ d ]
her while we were there — my heart warmed toward the child she is about
the age and size of our Frances — wears caps and a little red merino frock
with pantaletts of the same very full drawed round the bottom the frock
was no prettier than you made Fan's there was wings to it such as
I put on Augustus clothes – rather deeper on the shoulder and open — the
little girl was very mild and modest she objected to being undressed before us

but her mother persisted and she submitted quietly and good naturedly —
Evening — Henry came home looking pretty smiling so I think the speech went
pretty well — I must hurry because I am going to that party tonight
and I will tell you all about it when I come home — I intended to have sent
this letter by Mr Reese who goes home tomorrow— I have printed a little letter
for Gus to Fan which I intended to have put in mine I cannot if the letter
goes by mail —
You boy insists upon having his toe nails cut constantly for amusement he never
sees the scissors without endeavoring to get off his shoes and stockings and
says "cut" "toe" — he took of my shoes the other day and attempted to cut
mine with my stockings on — Mr Sanford of Skaneateles has just been
here and says he will take this letter — so I must tell you about the party
in my next — your own Sis — Frances —
Mrs Alvah Worden
Auburn —