Albany Jan 2^d
My Dearest Sister, Your kind letter came yesterday morning
to wish me a 'Happy New Year.' I am glad to hear you are
still in Auburn and enjoying life tolerably. I sent my
last letter on Saturday morning – after dinner Mr and Mrs
Cary Henry and myself went to Troy in a most delightful
snowstorm. The black ponies acquitted themselves admi-
rably – the sleighing was fine and we in good spirits of
course we had a pleasant ride. We stopped at the
house formerly kept by Titus – there is now a new Land-
lord but the cherry is quite as good as it was last
winter and the appearance of the house very much
improved. We staid but a few minutes so I could
not go to see your dear Mrs Boardman which I should
have been very happy to have done. I suppose she has
the addition of one or two sons wives to her family and
one cannot rush in, quite as uncerimoniously as they we
used to do in days 'Lang Syne' – We came home swiftly
crossing the ice with so much celerity that we found
no time to be afraid – found the children all well and
glad to see us. Sunday I did not go to Church I
did not feel well enough to walk and Charley had a
lame foot so that we could not ride. Monday appears
to have been a blank day as I cannot recollect one thing
that I did. Teusday I walked over to Miss Mc Larens
to see about my pelisse and then down to Staots store
up to Norton's shoe shop – thence home. Augustus went
with Tracy to the Menagerie and Fred took a walk
with his Pa. Yesterday was the New Year the ushering
in of which I have been dreading, however it passed
away more pleasantly than I expected. We had cake
and wine and received our calls in Mrs Cary's room.
I spent all my leisure time in looking out of the
window – we did not receive many calls of course as
not even the limited circle of our acquaintance were
aware that we were in town. Rathbone called first

and made himself very agreeable to the children by giving them
each two very bright 5 cent pieces – J.R – Fred your pet had
on his new suit and felt very large in consequence thereof.
Weed, the two Gilchrists a Mr Jackson, Mr Bronsone Dr Williams
Rhoades, Gansevort and his nephew (whose name he very
prudently witheld lest we should know him again) Mr Bene-
dict and our friend Tracy were I believe all who came.
Henry and Mr Cary were not home at dinner and invited
Weed and Rathbone to come and dine with us at 5 oclock.
Rathbone declined on account of the numerous calls he had
to make. Weed came at the appointed time – we had the
dinner in our room – every thing was very nice and in
great profusion. Bement is one of the most liberal of hosts.
After drinking a glass of Champaign and eating enough
to give me the headache all of the day Mrs Cary and
I withdrew – the gentlemen remained at the table
until 11 oclock. I staid with Mrs Cary until I became
too sleepy to make myself any longer agreeable and
then went to Maryanns room. I was not sorry when
our friends departed and I could go to bed. This day
is very unpleasant – it is raining the snow is wasting away.
I am afraid that ride of mine with Rathbone will turn out
squish. Sunday afternoon – I have been sick again and
am afraid I have detained this letter so long that you will
be disappointed in not receiving it at the expected time. Yesterday
morning my headache which has not left me since Thursday
became so severe that I took two of Dr Williams pills
(which I keep on hand) and went to bed. I sat up very
little the remainder of the day and have not yet been
downstairs. Monday morning – The fates appear to have
determined that I shall not finish this letter – I had just
commenced writing yesterday when Mrs Cary came in and
stayed until it was too dark for me to write any
more – if I am un interrupted again I shall send
it in an unfinished state. I cannot bear to disappoint
you two days. I suppose you are now at home again

I am very desirous to hear how you like your new landlord. How
lonely Clary will feel now you are gone. Do tell me how affairs
are between her and Hugh – is he still as unwilling to wait until
Spring as he was when I came away. I told her I would come
home if she could not make a compromise. I anticipate
so little pleasure in being here that the fulfilment of my
promise would give me no pain and could I be with
you the prospect would be delightful indeed. How could
you my sister ask me not to let anyone else steal
your place in my heart if you had the same confidence
in my affection that I have in yours you would know
how impossible it is for an event of that kind to happen—
but I know you was not serious dear one and perhaps
the expression would not have given me pain had I
been as happy as usual which I was not just at that
time. I must write to Grandma and Clary although
I do not expect to hear from them directly more than
once or twice this winter. I received a number of calls
on Saturday but could not see any one and am now going
to write their names in your pretty little card case which
my conscience reproaches me with having taken from
you. The little boys are well and happy. Gus went
to Church yesterday with Tracy and Fred went with
his Pa to see Birdsall. Poor John – they say he is getting
better, but very slowly he does not yet sit up any. I am
afraid it will be a long time before he is well enough to
come and see us. Did you go to see the Col – and Serene? but
you will write me all about it. Well they have all gone again.
Ward has made me a long call he is lobbying for a bank
at Albion – he has made many enquiries about you and
everybody at home – says he made many fruitless attempts to see
you last winter after you came down. I do not recollect
anything about it do you?— Mr and Mrs Cary came in for
me to go and call on Mrs Case a lady who has just
arrived here – she does not stay as they cannot be accommoda-
ted with rooms. I am not sorry. Mr and Mrs Cary send love
kiss Fran for Aunty and tell her that the little boys talk about
her very often. Mrs Tracy came last night. They are you
know at Mrs Lockwoods on N. Pearl Street – I must go and see
her when I feel better. I went to breakfast this morning but my

headache continues. Henry has gone to court – your own Sister Frances—
Mrs Alvah Worden
Aurora
Cayuga County
ALBANY
JAN
06