Auburn Wednesday Dec 23
My dear Sister
I am alone in the
office with the three dogs
ranged around the stove
for company – Miss Hance
and Fanny have gone to
Aunt Clara's to tea – I should
have gone too but could
not leave Mary alone
with Willis – Mary is making
Christmas presents for her
folks at home – They have
moved into your neighbour-
hood – occupying their own
house – which Abbey seems
to be painting – is it by Henry's
direction? – I have seen Mr
Brown but once since you went
away –

Your letter of Sunday came
to day – I am relieved to see
that you are well again –
Fanny also received one from
Kate , and more doll fur-
niture – the letters have all
gone to be read to Clara this
afternoon – I was sorry about
the silver which I intended to
send with you – I await Henry's
directions about it – The
corn which Louisa prepared
so nicely was left too –
(I wish I had a better pen) –
I wish you would not come
home until I hear from the
Mellen's to whom I have written –
unless Henry should be coming
North of which there are
many rumours – I shall not
be able to leave here until you
come, though I should like
much to be in Washington with

you – I would rather
not go down until some
time in February – but
one or the other of us must be
there if Mr & Mrs Mellen go –
It is impossible to leave this place
in the care of Willis – he drinks
so constantly that I am in
continual expectation of some
new explosion – He has had
two affrays in the street one
with an Irishman one with
a Dutchman – for the latter
he has been in the Justice's
Court to day – Although I
have had the barn door nailed
up I heard of him Monday
riding 'Fanny ' about the streets
he must have taken her through
the cow house – It is impossible
to control him – I shall try to
endure him through the Winter if
he keeps out of jail – I fear he
drinks at Rhoades store – he is

seen there so often – So far he
takes good care of the horse
and cow – and does his
work about house well –
Mrs Lucas & Miss Lord called
this afternoon – made many
enquiries about you & expressed
great admiration of Pisgah –
Miss Lord leaves tomorrow –
I see by the papers that the
"Cahaba" the steamer in which
Augustus went to Cuba has
arrived safely at N. Orleans –
I received a letter from
Frances yesterday – Mrs Lucas
reported that Caroline Day
was to attend a party at
Mrs Chesebro's to night –
Last week the Perrys &
Marvins were invited – I shall
let Fanny go to Canandaigua
if she has a good opportunity –
Frances says she will bring her
home.