Newport. April 22d 1869My Dearest Mertie,
I received your letter last week but have been so busy dressmaking that I have not found time to write. I went to Providence on the 2d of this month on a shopping excursion. It was Friday and I had to employ a substitute to teach for me. I returned Saturday (the next day.) I purchased three dresses pieces of which I enclose. The brown alpaca is for a travelling suit. It is short and is to be trimmed with one of those scant flounces which are so fashionable, round the bottom, headed with a plaiting of satin of the same shade. I shall simulate an over skirt by trimming of the satin. This dress is done all but the sleeves and trimming. I am going to have the drab hat I had last spring and which is badly faded, colored brown and pressed over, and trimmed with brown satin and then I believe I told you I had a New Year's present of a pair of brown kid gloves. These I have never worn, so they will complete my travelling suit. What do you think of it?
The lilac is my nice dress for a poor primary school teacher can't afford silk. This is to be a long dress, the skirt is gored of course but not trimmed. I shall trim the waist and sleeves with a fold of the material with a little fold of white silk about the width of a cord trimming through it. I am thinking of having it square neck and an under waist to wear with it, composed of puffings of white illusion separated by narrow bands of white satin, the illusion being puffed over strips of the lilac. I am to have an outside wrapping, of the same material, I don't know what the nature or name of it will be, for I get my patterns from Harper's Bazar and am waiting with what patience I can till next week when the patterns for summer wrappings will be issued. I have heard that capes are to be more worn than sacques. I don't think I shall like them so well but suppose I must be in the fashion. I am going to have a lilac parasol lined with white, lilac kid gloves and a white crepe bonnet with white flowers. I haven't bought them yet. The drab is a morning dress. It is trimmed with two rows of narrow blue ribbon round the skirt and up the front. But it is after half past eight and time I started for school.
Evening. Only a fortnight and one day more of teaching. The term closes a fortnight from tomorrow and the Monday following I go to Providence to invest in Swiss muslin, white lace, orange blossoms etc, etc, etc. You have not said you would not come to Newport this summer but seem to be troubled about the journey. You need not be, my dear, for if Libbie should not accompany you she would come with you as far as Worcester Junction and then you would have only to wait there as patiently as possible for the space of two hours and then take the train to Providence, where I would meet you. So do say you will come. I enclose the Photograph you have been so anxious to behold. Now Mertie remember to send it back in your next letter and also tell me your candid opinion of it. I will say that it is tolerably good except a thought too grave as pictures are apt to be. I am very curious to learn what impression it gives the beholder who has never seen the individual it represents so you will do me a favor by telling me your real sentiments whether flattering or otherwise. But I have no more room. Please remember that time is flying rapidly and the sooner you write the more letters you will receive from
Yours affectionately
Amelia CallahanP.S. Tell Libbie that if she delays writing much longer she may not hear again from the above named.