Holyoke. Oct. 18. 1849.My dear Mother
I know I ought to have written you long ago, but I have been very busy, and though I have thought of you very often, yet I have not before seated myself to write to you.
All day Wednesday of last week, I looked for Mary Eliza as Father encouraged me to, but they did not come, and I gave up all hopes of seeing them. Thursday it rained so I did not think of seeing them, but in the Evening when it was pouring down so fast, the girl who goes to the door came for me to go to the parlor, and there they were sure enough - Lillie they left at the Hotel, as it rained so fast - Mary had to borrow the landlady's cloak &
umbrellindia-rubber and was pretty wet when she reached the Seminary. They came just as we had finished supper, as they went to Worcester from Norwich, & then down to Springfield, & here in the stage as I come. We made a nice fire, and had a good talk Mary telling me all about her visits, and then I went & called Mary Hittell who was very glad to see them. After a little while I called Mary Brigham - so we five passed a very pleasant evening till the retiring-bell rang. The next morning I went over to the hotel just as they finished breakfast - so I sat down and eat a little with Lillie, who was very glad to see "Aunt Ponie" again. After breakfast we walked over to the Seminary, and to Miss Lyon's grave together - then after a deal of trouble, I succeeded in obtaining a pretty new teacher who showed us all round the house - wash-room and all - up to the fourth story. Mary & Alfred appeared pleased with what they saw, and I think it did M. good - for she said when we had finished, she now saw the necessity of so many rules which had appeared so foolish before to her. They went away a little before ten in the stage Friday morning. I felt badly at first when they went, but I was so glad they came, for they seemed to enjoy it very much. There were recitations in nearly all the rooms we went into, in some of which Alfred became quite interested, while Lillie stood with open mouth now & then calling for "Aunt Ponie", which amused the girls, as it is so seldom a child appears here. I thought by Mary's description that they had enjoyed their New England visit very much: I suppose they are home by this time. I received a New York paper from them Tuesday Eve.Yesterday (Wednesday) I went to Northampton to carry my bonnet & to have a good time. I enjoyed it pretty well though I was rather tired. Was some frightened at the waves on the river which have not been so high for a long time. I left my bonnet to be trimmed, & lived with blue satin, & shall get it next Tuesday. A girl went with me who wanted to call at Mr. Day's - so I went with her. They have a pleasant situation, a little out of the village - a black woman came to the door, and showed us into a pretty parlor. When Mrs. Day came in, as neither of us had seen her before, I introduced the girl & she introduced me - She is a very pretty looking lady, & seemed very lively & lady-like - Said her husband's health was very good, now. -
We still live together here, but next Wednesday is moving-day, and nobody knows where we shall be put then. Lizzie and I want to be alone, though our roommate is a pleasant girl - but the school is so full. I presume they will put three in the rooms below the fourth story.
I am getting along pretty well in my studies
pretty wellI believe - I want to hear very much where Nathaniel is going to school, and how you like the new girl that Mary said you now had. - If Miss Whitney is with you, can [she] put a belt in my white cambric dress? I should like it much. - Lizzie is a very nice room-mate - affectionate neat and affable - I like her much.I have had a letter from Maria Hunt who seems as happy as can be in Townsend - says she could finish the course in two years - I mean to write to Abbie before long, but it seems as if I had less time for writing this year than usual.
Mary said Father thought of going to Washington & taking Nathaniel with him - if he does go, or has been, I want to hear about it.
I find my new sheets are just the thing - they are scarcely nothing to wash - I wish you would write me yourself Mother. I should enjoy receiving a letter from you so much. I hope some one will write before long. We have very lovely warm weather now - the mountains with with [sic] the beautiful colored trees present a very fine appearance. We are all enjoying very fine appetites here. I think I never was so hungry - making up for lost time in vacation, I suppose.
But I must say Goodnight. Do write soon, somebody.
Love to Father & Miss Whitney & Nat. if he is at home, & a large share for yourself, from Your affec. Sophronia.
We have for supper sometimes, cold cracked wheat pudding like mush - with sugar & milk - We like it very much - We have had very nice peach-pies -
[According to some genealogical research, Nathaniel is Sophronia's younger brother, and Mary Eliza is Sophronia's older sister. Alfred Thomas was Mary Eliza's husband, and Lillie was their first child.]