[Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading.]Cambridge July 4th 1853.
My own dear Madge,
Here I am in our own little parlor, upon such a memorable day as this and, as I am inclined to be patriotic I shall answer your kind & truly welcome letter. I had looked long, and hope had almost given place to dispair but at last it came. It seems you are fearing that brother John & sister Hattie, have forgotten you, but they have not. Nor are they dead or married yet. I agree that marriage is as bad as death [more over?]. They were gone nearly four weeks, & when they were ready to return home brother wasn't able to come by the cars, so they came by N.Y. Brother is no worse than when you were here. They were sorry they could not come & see you - Pa is quite smart for him, & the rest are extremely well. Madge it has just stopped raining, we have an exceedingly warm day and the rain has refreshed every thing -
Hatty & I have been at home all day doing Monday's work. What have you been doing! - Do you remember one year ago What a change. Are you able to realize it all, what you & I have & did pass through, it seems like a dream to me.
Two or three weeks ago who should come here but C. L. R. "as I live" he was well & looking finely he came to attend the Presbetry which met at Mr. Fillmores Church. he came one day & returned the next. Have you heard from him or fam yet! We have not heard one word from them since you were here. I received letters from Miss Barnes & Mr. Hall he and his wife are doing very well I should think from what he wrote & the puff that was given them in a paper he lent me. Miss B- is at home at Keenville [?]. She got released from the Argyle Acd. & went home on account of her mother's & sister's health. The last of Sept she is going to Harrisburg to teach in a Female Sem, she is to be gone at least one year. She cannot come to visit us before she leaves. I should like to see her once more she is a dear good friend to you and I.
I see Smart pass often but that is all. Dr. Campbell & bride were at church yesterday she is a petite bride, she was dressed very plane. [sic] They are to commence keeping house this week Madge I went to Troy & attended the Examination at Mrs. Willards it was very good, the Concert given by the Teachers showed them to be skilful [sic] players upon stringed instruments. I had a very pleasant time. Mary & Julia did every thing to make me happy. How I did wish you were there with us. Mary is to return. Julia is going to begin to teach in a family of seven or eight scholars. You will be at home before she leaves Madge how much pleasure I have in view when you come home. there has been a great & good change at your house & I do rejoice with those that do[?] Mag as things are now dont you think of teaching at present (this is a command from your friend) I shall be ready to go to service at any time you sent me.
I am glad you like our dresses. I think they are very pretty. H- & I have very thin straw bonnets trimmed with white only capes [?] & strings Hatty has flowers in the inside. they are beautiful & I wear curls on the inside of mine.
You ask what else we have new: we have some Faus mintutine [?] of Papier Mache & c & c which you shall see before long I hope. Mag Hatty & I received our rings one day last week, there are seven diamond[s] in each & the setting is very beautiful we think, they are as near alike as any two rings can be & not be the same. Brother Mart had our names & his own marked in the inside of them. Mag I will tell you how much they are worth one hundred & twenty five dollars apiece. Madge we prize them very much for our brother's sake.
Lydia Ashton has died since you left. Jim Livingston is married to a Miss Green, Eunice Pratt's sister in law Maria Furton has been bourne in the same chaines, her husbands name I don't remember. Jennette & John[,] Mary Isabella & Pannette McClalin are expected home soon. We had a pleasant visit from Anna & Cal Sherman we intend to visit at your Fathers this week.
Saturday - we should be happy of your company - Mag Haty [sic] sends her best love & says she wants you to send herby mail a pattern for monochromatic a moonlight scene. The piece is to be about as large as the one Smart has it is to be upon blue tinted board. Harriet will send you the money for it or pay you when you come home. Brother John says tell Madge that he will call at your own home some day when you are there. He wishes to be remembered as well as Ma & myself who sends all her love & a kiss. Mag do see what a mistake I have made. I have written upon two sheets at once and if you can read this miserable apology for a letter you will do better than I imagine you can. I have had one of the poorest pens that any poor sister used.
Where is our friend Louisa Long you did not mention her name remember me to affectionately if you please.
Mag I have set you an example now answer this as soon as I have yours and oblige your
Friend affectionately
Cassie Cooke