[Paragraph breaks added for ease of reading.]McKeesport.
October. 23rd 84.My dear Gertrude
I have thought of you so often and wondered why you did not write. I saw your mother at Miss Mason's last week when I got my bridesmaid's dress for Jenny Dunshee's wedding. I thought then I could go up and stay all night with you some night this week but cannot go now until next week: if that will be convenient for you, any night but Wednesday: I am going to a Reception that eve. I must tell you the reason I cannot go this week: my brother Morris & his wife were called to Buffalo last Friday on account of the dangerous illness of Mrs Webb (my sister-inlaw's mother) and will not be home until Saturday. Mrs Webb died on Sunday. I am staying at my brother Morris's taking charge of the house and three children, so my dear, I now you will forgive me, under the circumstances for not keeping my word. I will be very glad to get home again I am tired keeping house.
I must tell you all about the weddings. Jennie Dunshee was married yesterday week at 8. P.M. by Mr McCarrol. Little Jimmie Converse (dressed in black velvet.) and Katie Vanderint (in a white dress[)] walked in the parlor first, and stretched the ribbon for the bridal party. Then two bridesmaids (Edith Dunshee & Julia Gardner (Stanley's sister)[)] in pink cahsmere & white lace, each carrying a boquet [sic] of pink buds. Next Ida Falvestock & I in white cashmere in lace & white boquets, and last but by no means last, the bride and groom. I never saw Jennie Dunshee look so pretty; her dress was a perfect marvel of loveliness. Cream colored satin: made en-train trimmed up the front with points; and seed pearls down each side of the points; dress made low neck, and no sleeves, and handsomely trimmed in Duchess lace & orange blossoms, a long white veil, also draped with orange blossoms. After receiving congratulations we repaired to the supper table. The supper was delicious! It came from Schlosser in Pittsburgh. The bride and groom left on the ten o'clock train for the East.
The next evening (Thursday) I went down to Hazelwood to attend Julia Anderson's wedding. It was a very swell affair! There were about two hundred people there. The ceremony was at half-past seven. George's Orchestra played a lovely march, as the bridal party came in. There were five bridesmaids; they came in first dressed in white salm [?] & crepe de chene made en train and each carrying a boquet [sic] of a different color. Then the bride and groom, Julia wore white satin & brocade velvet en train, veil and orange blossoms, the orchestra played "Did'st thou but know, how I do love thee," in a low tune during the ceremony. Oh! It was sublime!! The sweetest ceremony I ever heard. After congratulations, we had a lovely supper, and the bridal part left for washington City on the nine o'clock train. George played all evening and the young folks "tripped the light fantastic." Julia's presents filled a whole room. They were magnificent! Solid silver, fine china, and all sorts of "bric-a-brac." Jennie Dunshee's presents were also very handsome, but she did not receive as many as Julia her wedding was not so large. There were only about eighty people at Dunshee's, nearly all relatives.
Well Gertie! I must close for this time; I am so anxious to see you. It is a perfect age since we have seen each other. when will you be down to pay me a visit? Please come down soon, and stay awhile with me. I expect to be at home all the time until November 18th and any time that will be convenient for you to come will be convenient for me. I have so much to talk about when I see you. I will hardly know where to begin. Please answer soon and tell me what day next week you would like to have me go up to see you. Our family send love to all.
With best love for yourself
Yours sincerely
Odessa Moore.