Fitchburg Oct 3d Sat eveDear Mary
I was much disappointed that I could not write you yesterday, it being my birhtday, I did think I should be able to in the evening, but I was quite unwell so I was not able to. I have been feeling pretty well to-day and this eve. but such a week as we have had, so much company.
Tuesday noon your Grandfather and Grandmother and Flora came just after we had eaten dinner, so I had to get another dinner. In the evening Miss Percy Flora Anna and Charlie went to the fair at the hall.
There was a great crowd and I was told there was between eleven and twelve hundred tickets sold, I was glad I was not there, Wednesday morning, Grandfather and Grandmother and I went into the fair, went early so we had a good chance to se[e] all the things, there was not so good a show of fruit as last year the vegitables [sic] looked very well, There was a good show of paintings and pencil drawings, some of them very fine, The fancy artists were very good Anna carried in her Ottoman she finished last and got a premium of 33, cts,if she had carried in her Fathers Slippers she would have got a premium on them. We came home about eleven and found your Aunt Esther here.
Soon after we all had been to dinner and old Mrs Wallace (that old woman) was eating hers, Mrs Brewer and James came, so I had to go and get another dinner again[.] In the afternoon we went up to see the cattle. sheep &c. I was quite tired that night. The horse treat [?] was Tues, Wed, & Thurs your Father had a complimentary ticket so he went each day and took some of them with him, Anna went Thursday afternoon.
Grandfather and Grandmother & Flora left for Marlbor[o] yesterday morn for fear it would rain this morn, and sure enough we have had a very rainy day, Mrs Brewer and James are with us and will stop till Monday. Mary could not leave to come. Mrs Brewer said she would tell her and she would write you, James health is quite poor, but he is some better than he was, he is anxious to get to work again. Flora is looking better than when she went up to N- but I fear we shall never see her in Fitchburg again[.] She seemed to enjoy herself while she was here, her cough begins to trouble her a good deal that is a bad symptom, I fear if she does not get help soon she never will.
I shall expect Grandfather & Grandmother here again next week, he does not like to visit any better than he used to, I saw Dr Hitchcock this morn said he was at Mt Holyoke Sem Thurs night I think, he said you was well, he saw you.
Your uncle Eastman came from N York last eve arrived here this morn about 8 oclock left in the afternoon train for home have we not had company enough for one week? I feel some tired but think I shall get through with it all.
I have got your Aunt Lois pictures to-day, and Uncle E- took one. I think they are very good he told me to take my choice of them and offered to pay me for my trouble in getting them.
We had beautiful weather for Cattle show so mild and pleasant Elvin Harris had his old stand at the door taking tickets, but he left after a while and came into the hall so I saw him a few moments, he has not called yet, Abbie Wood has gone to Boston to stop for the present, has gone into a milliners shop to work, Mary Kendal called here last Monday said she should write you soon, Anna received a letter from a young man in N York the other day no one she ever saw, you know George Whitney went out to Albany to Commercial Institute this young man was there and saw Annas picture and so wrote her a letter, She showed it to me the other day and says she is going to send it to you to read to cap the whole his name is Fairbanks, Anna says he is cousin to Charlie. Write her what you think of it when you have seen it, he wrote two sheets (a silly mess) -
I had a Portmenier [?] for a birthday present, some like Annas, - Charlie says he dont know as he can print you a letter perhaps he will try. I sent the letter I wrote you last week to Boston by your Father I told him I was afraid he would forget it but he said he should not, when I rec'd your letter I told him you did not get mine as you should Mond eve, he laughed and said he brought it home and mailed it here Sat eve -
I am sorry you have to room in the third story I hope you will not have to much longer, I hope cousin Anna will not insist upon it. I think Cousin Anna means well and I hope you will try and conform to each other and get along nicely together - We heard Lizzie Wythe was engaged all the fall, so we have not been to see her. Your Father has been so busy to, and I have also I think we shall go there and see, if we get time. Mrs Brewer and James, Anna and Charlie all send love to you, your Father is very tired so I did not ask him if he had any word to send but I will send his love, write again next week, be careful and not get sick - Anna has a sore finger has been poulticing it today
Be a good girl
from your loving
MotherI will send you the Sentinel if I can get one.