[Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading.]Wooster May 16th 1882
Dear Mother:
Having sent you those patterns I must write a line of explanation. The night cap needs some kind of trimming. This can be put on afterwards if you do not have any to suit. A narrow fine ruffle would do as well. Two besides the one I sent will do. Two waists also. I might be well to get the muslin for the other two a little heavier than that one is. Just bind the neck and arm holes. I can put a little trimming around the necks again. The strings for the other caps might be a little longer - and possibly a little wider than those I sent. I am thinking so long to see you. Wonder how you are getting along. I do wish I could be there to help see about your dresses. My sewing is coming on I will have my girl to-day and to-morrow. There is lots of finishing up left - all the button holes to work, and their number is legion.
Mary thinks its a bad thing for the work to be so popular! I cant get to stay at home long enough to accomplish anything - its tea here and dinner there - and riding yonder - all delightful and what is far more to me, it is healthgiving - but it does not help on the sewing at home.
I am curious to know what kind of a report of me Mrs Davis gave in Mechanicsburg. I fear her jealousy would not allow her to be fair or just[.] All the family, except Mr D. lose no opportunity to give me a whack - especially Miriam. Well I cannot help it. If people love me more than they love them it is because I try to make myself more lovable. If you set your horns at every body you need not expect to be loved. I do not care what Mrs Davis told, if she stuck to the truth[.] There is one thing I hope she did not tell unfairly. The truth of it she does not know, and I have no idea she could tell of it fairly. But I will explain when I see you. It is the first time but not likely the last, in which I shall find myself untangled in the wool of oldish girls and their anxious mothers.
But I must to business of another kind I wrote to Horry about getting a cottage for Dr Taylors. He writes that your cottage only has accomodations for seven. I do not see where we are all to be put. Mr & Mrs Ralston - You and Ellen - Horry and I with the cook will fill the concern. Where will Mr. & Mrs. Daniel, Willie, Mary and Janet be stored? [sic] Mary & Janet cannot stay over a week - but Willie and I want to stay a month or six weeks, and Mr & Mrs Daniel a month. I thought I might leave the price to be arranged when I go - I know my kin folks will deal fairly with me. Mrs Taylor has two nice boys for Willie to play with, and her girl will look after them part of the time.
Will you go the 18th of June?
Horry says there is no bedding. I guess I will have to depend on you for my share[.] I have engaged a student to stay in my house during our absence so it will not be left alone.
I had a letter from Lily giving an account of "the wedding" Just imagine Rob "borne of four" in a sedan chair. I wonder if he winked to himself going along - thinking how he cheated [?] Miss Peabody and the: "Dear Laos"! Wouldn't I have enjoyed pulling that curtain aside and peeping in - and winking at him. It does me good I must confess, to see these awfully "sanctified" old maids headed off sometimes. Lily says Rob smiled all over his face during the ceremony - doubtless he felt that was the thing to do. What wonderful daughters-in-law you are getting from time to time. Too bad for the daughters to be left in the shade. Poor Johny! that is the way I always think of him. I dont believe his wife will live long, and really it would seem - well I will leave you to finish the sentence. The rest we can talk over[.]
I am not feeling quite so well as I did. The weather has something to do with it.
Jennie