306 West Grand St.
Elizabeth, N.J.
Jan. 30 - 1882My dear Mother -
Jennie's letter was brought to me Saturday morning while I was waiting in the depot for Clara Clark. I expected C- on the nine o'clk. train and went down to meet her. Just before I left home it began snowing so, of course I had to wear rubbers and take an umbrella, two dreadful things. Well before I started I had a disappointment that I have n't quite recovered from yet - I wrote in Babe's letter that I had bought some skates and also some flowers to wear Friday night, besides some stamps that I might have bought a few days later, had there been any reason to save the money. Well by that time I only had .85 cts. left of the money I brought from home. Wednesday or Thursday I told Mrs M- that it would be a great favor to me if she would let me have a few dollars Saturday, as I expected to go over to N.Y. She promised me that I should have it, and I laid my plans accordingly.
Ida & Minnie expected to go over to N.Y. and see Mrs White a little while before she left for Providence and then go over to Brooklyn to spend Sunday with Carrie Holton, Charlie Moody's cousin. I thought it would be nice if Clara & I could take the same train to N.Y. as it would be a little pleasanter for us all. Saturday morning came and either at breakfast or just after Mrs Muldaur told me that she was very sorry but the money she expected to come in had n't come and of course she could n't give me any - I told her I did n't know what I was going to do as I expected to go to N.Y. and had depended on that money. She said she had a little change and would let me have fifty cents - well that did n't better matters much, but I took it - which proved to be a trade dollar. Of course I could n't say any thing, but I was terribly provoked as well as disappointed, as the day she promised the money she had several dollars, and she had spent it. I came up stairs to see if Ida & Minnie had any money. They said they had lent nearly all they had $1.50 to Auntie when she went [to] N.Y. Thursday, and as she had n't returned that was no good. Poor girls they had to borrow from Mrs W. after they got to New York to pay there [sic] car fare. I got down to the depot in time for the train, but no Clara was on it, and I found that the next train was not due till 10.30 - so I went over to the other depot and saw Ida & Minnie off and then came back to the Jersey Central to wait for Clara, and at last she came. It was still snowing hard and looked as though it was going to all day. I asked Clara about going to New York & we finally decided not to go. I called a carriage and we came up home.
The day was stormy till about half past four, when it cleared off beautifully. I enjoyed C's visit ever so much though I could not do much to make the time pass lively. Yesterday we went to church in the morning, and staid indoors the rest of the day, as it was so very windy. Clara left this morning at 7.30 I went down to the depot to see her off. Carleton Mather came over Friday afternoon and went back with Clara this morning. We had breakfast at quarter of seven don't you think that was pretty good.
Ida & Minnie returned about 10- this morning. They enjoyed there [sic] trip ever so much. Went to hear Talmadge yesterday morning and Beecher in the evening. Were delighted with them both tho' don't admire a good many things about them.
Thursday evening Mrs Muldaur expected a new girl so sent the old one away about five o'clk. We waited and waited but no girl came & have had none since. Mrs. Muldaur got dinner, and she and I washed up the dishes about eight o'clock. Miss Murphey was invited out during the afternoon to dinner and afterwards to stay all night with a friend. In the evening they attended the installation ceremonies at Westminister [sic] church. Miss M- was very tired and not knowing of our difficulties decided to stay all night. Friday morning Mrs Muldaur and George got up and commenced operations for breakfast and I fried the fish. I asked Mrs M- if she needed me to call me in the morning. The washer woman came that day and helped considerably with the dishes. She was also here ironing Saturday and her daughter has been here to day, and as the girl promises to be here to-morrow I guess we will get along nicely.
Auntie came back last night and was quite surprised to find Mrs M- getting supper. She said there had been a fire in the "Florence" but that only one floor was burned, the 2nd floor I believe. Mrs. Mather had her rooms on the 5th floor. Mrs. M- has been quite sick, but is able to sit up now, I think she had catarrh fever.
You did not send any satin for my dress. Please send it soon as my sleeves need it. I wish I could see you. Dudie is much worried about Will[.] Dont [sic] you think it would be a good plan to let him go up to Mr Long's for a week or two. I cam considerably troubled from what you & Dudie write.
Love to all, write soon.
Ever your
loving daughter
Alice.