Dearest Auntie:Just wish you could be with us this afternoon - We have a fire in the living-room fireplace and really it feels good. This will pass for a rainy day. Has rained steadily all day. Will do lots of good. Fred has just enjoyed the day. It is the beginning of his vacation. He expects to have two weeks. They have had so much to do he almost fears they may call him in to help out. We want very much to go to Old Concord one day but are not sure as we can do even that. I wonder if you have heard about poor Mrs Harmon? She has at last succeeded in taking her own life. She hung herself last Friday morning. Has really been crazy for a long time I think and we hadn't charity for her. Ada was in Vermont. Dared not stay at home as her Mother had attempted to poison her. Really, it is a blessing she has gone before she did any more serious harm. She was to be buried this afternoon, or rather the services were then. I dont knew [sic] whether they would take her out of town or not.
I pity Ada but the poor girl, has had an awful time this winter with her Mother.
Yesterday afternoon poor little Mrs. Sargent was laid to rest beside Walter. Mabel is now alone in one sense. She wrote me last week how poorly her Mother was and I went down and saw her just a minute. She had been a great sufferer with abdominal cancer. Dr. Richardson conducted the services. He was so lovely. - Walter's wife was there - She is married again and has three little ones the oldest only about six years old. She is a very sweet little body.
General Wheeler and Clara were kindness itself to Mrs. Sargent. He told me yesterday, Nothing he could do could ever repay
hiWalter's kindness and faithfulness to him. He spoke of Walter as one of the noblest young men who ever lived. He would surely welcome his Mother for he loved her so tenderly.I am looking forward to Abby's little visit. How is she? Hope she is having a good rest. She needs it in order to begin her next year's work.
Father Giddings is some better. Is taking some medicine that makes him stronger. Mother went to Manchester with Annie last Thursday. Took the eight o'clock car from here and didn't get home until half past six. She had a fine time. They went to Annie's brother's. He has a very nice home and a nice family, two sons and two daughters. One of the girls teaches. They were here a few weeks ago. Are nice looking and appearing young ladies. Annie is real happy at Mrs. Reed's. They think a great deal of her, and are very kind indeed to her. The girl deserves it and I'm glad she can have the change. That alone is a rest to her.
I haven't heard from Cleveland for two weeks.
Thanks for the little pamphlet you sent. It is very interesting. Yesterday's telegraph announced the birth of a little daughter "Hellin" to Attorney and Mrs. Jackson. Mrs. Smith told me they were expecting a little arrival. Hope he wont go on a drunk in honor of the event.
Fred has planned enough work for the next two week[s] for two months. He does love to work around the place. On the whole he is much stronger than a year ago, I think. Hasn't missed one day at the mill during the year. - Some days have been pretty hard but he has worked just the same. We have started (part of them large plants) 14 different varieties of begonias. How is that. Some of them are beautiful. Someday we are going to have some lovely roses. Of course this year our flowers dont amount to much but another year they [sic] grading wont have to be done so we can get an earlier start.
Well, Auntie dear, I will have to say good bye for this time - Hoping you may keep, at least, comfortable and happy and with a heartful of love from us both -
Mother too sends her love -
Ever your own Jessee."Ingleside"
Aug. 18" 1912.[Jessee's mother passed away in 1905, so I'm guessing "Mother" is her husband Fred's mother.]