Sunday afternoon–
My dear Sister,
You must not expect a very legible letter today
for Willie insists upon writing with me – I looked for Worden
this morning but he has not come I hope he has not gone home
without coming here —– The weeks seem long enough here when I look
forward or backward but while passing time flies imperceptibly
I have been to Church this morning the first time since my
return —– Most of the faces there look as strange to me as
when I first came —– Mrs Taylor was the only person I saw
who seemed to know that I had been gone or appeared
at all glad [ to ] see me —– I could not avoid contrasting
this with the cordial greetings which always awaits me
on my return to Auburn —– I begin to think I have
grown too old to excite or feel any interest in those who
have not long known me — It is an unfortunate peculiarity
but I do not know the remedy — Yesterday Henry and I
went to Troy to enjoy a fine day and our comfortable close
carriage —– We called first at Mrs Avereill's who is always
from home and then at Mary Warrens where we found Mary
Ann Converse her daughter and Mrs Webb — As Henry was along I had a very affectionate
reception from Maryann —– whose regard was always proportioned
to the favorable impression she wished to make upon some
third person —– She was elegantly dressed and looks about
as well as ever —– her new teeth have made a visible improve-
ment in her appearance —– Kate has grown about as rapidly
as our Frances is much stouter and not so easy in her
manners — ( I have just discerned that my sheet has but 3 corners so I commence

[right Margin] on the other side

[top Margin] after looking very grave for a few moment at Bob's

x

Bob Pet

 Death: 1844-01-25

cage he said
"I wish I had a bird in a cage like Bob" — it was so amusingly
modulated that I laughed heartily —– I will keep this letter
open and write a little more tomorrow if Worden does not come
I have not mentioned that Augustus Seward

x

Augustus Seward

Birth: 1820-05-18 Death: 1889-05-08

came Thursday
having left the Fins

Unknown

on the canal at Utica

x

Utica, NY

— – he came on to make
arrangements —– returned Friday morning and to Schenectady

x

Schenectady, NY

and
Saturday they all went down the river on the Ferry

She is pretty and much less of a flirt than her mothers —–They left
us after extracting a promise from me to call at Mrs Webbs
before I returned which I had intended doing before I met them
but thought it rather unnecessary after –— After making two or
three other calls we went to Mrs Boardmans whom we found
in better health than she was last winter —– she made many
affectionate inquiries about you ( I do not always mention
these things because I do not always feel their sincerity )
Mary Ann was in Philadelphia awaiting the departure of
of some friends to Europe but whether those friends were Augustus
and his wife or someone else, (I having been once informed and
with not giving particular heed), dare not inquire — William his
wife and bairn are all there, to leave for the south
next month —– We then called at Mrs Webb's where
Mary Ann urged me beyond the bounds of politeness to
stay to dinner —– With some difficulty I succeeded in
getting away after appointing Tuesday as a day for
them to come and dine with us —– so they are all coming
at that time — I shall be relieved when it is over —–
Jane left me the day after I returned from Florida— Wednesday
her sister came —– She is a round faced goodnatured little girl
but so inexperienced and deficient in judgement that I shall
never feel quite easy to leave Willie with her —– add to this
she knows very little about sewing which is quite essential
for me — Marya Ann leaves next month — I have engaged
a cook to come on Wednesday — Yorks wife is still here here—
Henry and I went to Miss Brinkerhoofs wedding last Sunday
night —– there was a large party —– the ceremony was
performed an hour previous to the arrival of the guests ––
It passed off much like other Albany parties —– Mrs Brinkerhof
and Marcia were very polite and kind —– had it not
been for the politics politeness of John Van Buren I really believe
I should not have gone into the supper room as it
was I only reached the door —– I am thankful that
such occurrences do not affect my self esteem if they

did I should have but a poor opinion of my consequence — Mr Pumpella
is a rich man I should think not likely to distinguish himself
in any other way —– he is well looking and decidedly suitable
for a resident of this ancient city — Tony Blanchard
and his wife were there — She will not call upon me
the truth is I fancy I ought to call first upon the brides
I will think about it as I am in no particular
hurry to extend my circle of acquaintances —– Mrs Sherman
does not come to church — Friday I called to see Mrs
Spencer – she was "engaged" until I sent in my card —– I
found her in undress overwhelmed with trouble and perplexed
with numberless cares — Mr Spencer had just written
that it would be necessary for her to send on furniture
china, glass and books to Washington —– she feels very
much as I did the 1^st winter Henry came here though
she is more fortunate in not being confined to her bed —
The house is to be shut up until Spring when she will
return and should they continue at Washington the
house will be rented —– Mr and Mrs Morris go with her
to Washington —– she leaves here the last of November —
I received a letter last week from Dear Clara— She
is as much engaged in household duties as ever —– Maria does
not seem much pleased with her new home —– her ravenous
appetite does do not find the where withal to satisfy itself
she comes home frequently to eat — Joseph Sherwood is dead
as I suppose you have heard —– Clara says nothing about coming
to Albany —– I send by Worden the cap spring and that
[ mousline du lane ] dress which you admired so much —– I see
nothing like it this fall –— You must not think I made any
particular sacrifice in sending it for as I cannot wear
it until next Spring I think I had better get a plain
muslin which I can wear now —– The change of fashion
will probably make this a better arrangement for me
and I am glad to gratify your taste? — I am only sorry that
I did not give it to you last fall spring —– It is said
tight sleeves are all the vogue —– I do not think I can ever
wear them —– Polly ( the nurse ) and Mary ann have both
gone home to day — Augustus staid at home this morning
and took care of Willie — Willie talks all his time
says "where is Miss Worden Aunty" — The other

Wednesday morning —– I have left kept this letter three days mainly expec-
ting Worden to come —– I think he must have returned without
calling —– I will send the packet by the first opportunity — Mr
Underwood is very obliging about these things and will endeavour
to find one —– in this respect he differs from his predecessor
Our company came yesterday to dinner as we expected —– I
am very busy preparing Augustus to leave Saturday or Monday
Henry is to go down with him —– Fred went to school all day
last Monday was fatigued and excited ate nothing
and yesterday was too sick to go out —– No one who does
not watch him as closely as I do can comprehend the
exceeding delicacy of his organization —– his sensibility
of nerve is so extreme that I look with much anxiety
to his future life —– dear little boy he cannot always
have a mother and Aunty to cherish him —– if he lives
the time must come when his shrinking nature will be obliged to
depend upon its own strength —
Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua
Paid WHS
ALBANY
Oct
27
NY
PAID