Union, Conn.
Oct. 17, 1897.My dear Susie,-
You may have seen in some paper the notice of the death of Mr. Hopkinson. It was so sudden that it was a great shock to every one. He died of heart disease Thursday morning without being sick at all except that he had not felt well during the night.
The funeral is at the church this afternoon at two o'clock, and the burial at New Haven where Mrs. Hopkinson was buried.
Mr. Briggs is to attend the funeral. Father went up to Union Friday forenoon to offer his assistance if needed. Miss Hopkinson's sister and husband from Brooklyn N.Y. had just arrived. They did not bring any of their children.
I expected letters from you, and from New Haven Friday but none came. Lizzie thought the package of letters must have been delayed some where.
Father, Amanda and I were dissipated enough to go to the Old Folk's Concert Thursday evening. There were about twenty-five good singers many of them from Eastford and West Woodstock. Father enjoyed the old anthems and "fugue" tunes very much as he was familiar with most of them in his boyhood. We did not stay to the old-fashioned supper served after the concert at Mr. Simmons', but came directly home and arrived here about half-past ten.
I hear that they took in about $28, for both admittance and super. The ancient costumes were amusing. The men all wore knee breeches with white ruffles around the bottoms, tall hats and a variety of old coats. Most of the women wore silk dresses, some wore great bonnets and some small. Eva did not wear either of our bonnets. Mr. Davidson wore an old militia coat and hat belonging to some officer.
Aunt Viola and Dora called Friday just as I got home from school. Only five weeks more of school! I shall be very glad when it is done for I am getting rather tired. There will be no danger of my taking the school for the winter.
I picked the quinces yesterday, about twenty five of them, and a bushel of Seckel pears. That tree must have borne two bushels this year. Oh, that you could have some!
The Lima beans hold out yet and we feast on them about every other day. We have two new little calves from Mr. Marcy's, so we don't have much butter to make now. Father has made only one pressing of cider this fall as apples are so scarce. Most of the harvesting is done now. Amos has helped some about the husking.
Wasn't it hot yesterday? The thermometer went up to 85° about noon. It is nice weather for me to go to school most of the time, and is so warm I do not have to have a fire.
Father thinks it is time to be getting ready to go to the funeral so I will close.
Lovingly
Mary E.