Sunday evening – Oct 29
My dear Sister,
I have just finished a letter to my boy
and having consumed all the daylight I have no expec–
tation of finishing this to night – I am afraid Frances
had a very uncomfortable time getting home – I was
told that the eastern train of cars did not arrive
until after one oclock – at that rate it must have
been some time in the night when the reached Can-
andaigua – I am afraid Frances took an addition
to her cold – I tried to persuade her to have my cloak –
but she was sure there would be fire in the cars – I felt
quite lonely when night came not to have her bed in
my room – Tuesday evening – Yesterday was Monday
a busy day – after dinner Pa and Henry went to Syracuse
and I took my two boys and went to Clara's to spend
the afternoon – we had a nice visit – in the evening
she came home with us and just as we were comfort-
ably seated around the stand Mrs. Hills and Clarence
rang the bell –I sat with them in the parlor

half an hour – the fire being low in the hall stove we found it
rather col cool – The chief information which Mrs Hills
communicated was that homeopathy had received its
death blow in Rochester in consequence of the death of Mr
Atkinson and two of his children while under the care
of Drs Beigler and Taylor – I could not ascertain the
nature of the disease but one point seemed properly
established in the mind of Mrs Hills that no person
would ever employ that method of practice again
I told her that with me the fact proved nothing as
I had known many ^instances when^ three members of the same
family ^had^ died under the [ alopathic ] practice – I enquired
about brother Horace who is still unable to stand
upon his feet – Amelia continues there – If Clarence
had any thoughts during our interview he suppressed them–
Pa came home last night – Henry remained – he is on
an electioneering tour and proposed passing through
here to day on his way to Seneca Falls – I sent a carpet
bag with shirts etc to the depot but have not heard
whether he came – John has been gone all day to the
farm – he has gone over this evening to make enquires –
This afternoon just as I was about finishing this letter

Mrs Horner and Mrs Hotchkiss came – their call con-
sumed the remainder of the afternoon – Henry has
written again for William and Mary to come for which
I am very sorry as I do not want either of them – I
find it a great relief to have Bill away and would much
prefer a girl in his place who could assist about this
other work – I am perfectly satisfied that if Mary comes
she will not remain long – much that I heard in Florida
made me regret having engaged her – as it is I must not
at present engage any other person – The Irish girl that
I have is better than usual though no cook – John is
to board at home [ th ] is winter he prefers to do so that his
wages may [ be ] raised – McClallen has taken a little
boy of 9 years – I hope he will learn to milk – Maria
continues to be Maria – I hear nothing more and
have hardly read a newspaper since I came home –
John has just returned says that carpet bag has not
been called for from which I infer that Henry will
be home to night with Mr. Bowen who I heard was
at Syracuse yesterday – Willie's eyes are getting
worse every day – I tried the calcana once it seemed
to aggravate them so much that I have not repeated it
his eyes are now so much inflamed as they were at any
time last winter though not as weak and sensitive to light

poor little boy – he talks much of his Aunty and often reproaches
me with "Auntie did" – he appears well except his eyes
and has a good appetite – would you try the morphine
wash – diluted – I hope to hear from you soon – love
to Frances – your own Sister –
Mrs. Alvah Worden
Canandaigua
AUBURN N.Y.
NOV 1