Home, Monday morning, Sept. 4, "48.
My dear "Hattie."
My brother John has come, very unexpectedly, but not the less welcome. I wrote him last week that nearly thirty of our young people were to be added to our church the next Sabbath, and that it would be a day of much interest to us all, and I wished he could be here, but I did not expect him, in the least, and was taken by surprise, when he came last Friday evening. He said he thought it would be pleasanter for me to have him with me when going to a strange place, and that I should need his care more than when coming home, which is very true. Another thing you know I do love to be independent, and I know Mr. Spring would wait upon me a great deal, judging from [...] experience. Everything comes [?] so nicely, always.
Now, "Hattie", dear, my brother's plan is to take me to Lowell on Saturday next, and he just asked me to write you, and ask you if you will meet us at the depot next Saturday morning. We wish to go in the seven o'clock train. Perhaps it will be too early for you to come up. If so, will come here on Friday, and how I remember, you are to take my carpet bag. So it will be best for you to come here, and you can go out [?] with us just as well as not, and I shall be delighted to see you. I wanted to come down and see you and bring the shirt I promised your mother for a pattern, but brother John's visit is so short, he thinks he has not time. He says, however, that he will leave one of his shirts at home, so that you shall have it. It affects my pride somewhat to send you such a looking scrawl, but "Hattie", I have made this morning my bread, pies, pudding and cake, and have just put them in the oven and was obliged to make them as fast as possible and my hand will tremble, and I know you will excuse it in your sincere friend [?] "Lizzie."
I am rather more busy than usual, this morning, and aunt Flagg is not at work, and aunt H. is to leave to-day, and we have company. Dear Mrs. Chapin, from New York is with us. Did you see her here? I do not remember. She is a lovely christian. We had a most interesting Sabbath yesterday. [I] wish you could have enjoyed it with us, though I presume you had a good Sabbath at home. May the best, even spiritual blessings be ere yours, is the sincere desire of your "Lizzie."