Sunday Nov 26^th 1843
My dear Sister,
We had a comfortable ride home
the cars were not crowded and the day so dark
that Willie was not obliged to have his eyes
covered he was very happy to be able to look
out at the window and run about the car
I felt so lonely when I came home that I put on
my hat and shawl after dinner and went to
Clara’s where I staid to tea – One after another
the smiling faces that used to greet me when
I returned home in my earlier years, have all
departed, yours Grandma’s Clara’s – at times the
feeling of desertion is very painful – My close
eyed boy was here to welcome my return – he had
dined every day with Clara during my absence
a letter from Augustus assuring me of his health
also contributed to my comfort – The kitchen
department had gone on as well as I could
expect Catherine does not find any place yet

for once every body seems to be supplied with help–
My wrapper remains in the same state – after seeing
the street filled with those which are short I am
very well content to let mine remain as it is
in length – I found it infinitely more comfortable
than a cloak in traveling – Friday was baking
day – in addition I had the headache – We
were invited to a party at Mrs Cheadell’s which
I did not feel able to attend – Yesterday I went
to make visits of which I have now accomplished
20 since I returned from N. York – when I have made
about 25 more I shall be relieved for the Winter
I went to see Mrs Hills who certainly talks in a very
strange manner for a person who makes any pretension
to sanity – I will not attempt to relate any
of the extravagant stories she told about the
Atkinsons – she says there is no truth in the report
about the cellar – that the two sons are still lying
at the point of death and Mrs Atkinson is par-
tially deranged – though in the next breath she said
Mrs Atkinson was all ready to accompany her home

at one time – it is utterly impossible to know the true state
of the case from any thing Mrs Hills says – I went to see Debby
from whom I learned that Mrs Dill went to meet John
rather in pursuance of the advice of her friends than from
any information received from John – She however received a
letter from John saying he was at Hins- or Hillsdale in Michigan
where he proposed remaining until he heard from her – he enquired
whether she would come this Winter or in the Spring but made
no arrangement further – he said he had not received any letters
from her – his ^letters^ are also supposed to have been detained a long
time as there were two or three came at one time – After
some deliberation Maryann concluded to go to him this Winter
which I presume means that she concluded to go to Leonards
as they are keeping house – Dr Briggs accompanied her to Buffalo
she had some other acquaintance to go with her to Detroit –
went without any nurse with those three children –
Amanda is very much out of health which made her more
anxious to go – Debby says Capt. Warden has been here and
is not satisfied with his employers – he probably would not
be satisfied with any, unless he could be supported without
labour – Debby had numerous other items of news which
were not very important we went to Mrs Cheadells
(Debby was at the party the evening previous)- and called upon
Mrs Dr Dimond who is pretty and agreeable – I also went
to see Mrs Pitney who enquired very particularly about the
society at Canandaigua – it is certainly very amusing
to hear how many persons there are in our small town
who are unable to find any “society” – the word is rather
too comprehensive to have any definite meaning without
further explanation but I suppose it means fashionable society
as there is about the same amount of intelligent & well bred
people ^women I mean^ in all towns of this size – I think upon the whole
if the dissatisfied portion should get together I think they would
form quite a large circle by themselves – It is a pity that
the female sex cannot all inhabit large towns that being the

the chief object of the ambition of so many – It is Monday
afternoon – Clara spent last evening with me – Pray what did
you tell me about the eggs I have forgotten – The cranberries
in the basket went this morning I suppose will reach
you before my letter – Love to Frances – your own Sister
Clarence does not come yet – I expect him daily –
Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua
AUBURN
N.Y.
NOV
27