Dearest Harriet, Here it is the eighth of July, and we have not written to you yet, I began a letter in May, but it got laid away, and I never finished it, but I was determined to write to you, before we go to Keene, which we shall do on the 16th of this month, a week from tomorrow, or rather Carrie will start on that day, and go as far as Billerica, (to see "Kate Faulkner," and I shall meet her there the next day, and go on to Keene; oh! how I do wish you were going to be there. We have had a great fire here in Boston, I suppose you must have heard of it, seven houses in Dover St. burnt to the ground, with the exception of one, the walls of which are standing. Four houses in another street, and about six in another! The greatest fire known in Boston, for many years. Nannie Mayo, (whom I believe you have seen, Louisa Reed's sister) lived in Dover St. and her house was entirely destroyed, and she lost a great deal. And an Uncle of mine lived in the street, who did not lose so much, as his house was the last one burnt. The fire took in a steam-planing mill back of Dover St. No lives lost. - Carrie and I have been out to Milton staying lately, we staid [sic] two weeks and a half, among our relations, rode on horseback, walked, and various other doings, and had a fine time. Frank is now in Keene, he went up last Tuesday, and we have not heard from him since!! Henry has his "shingle" out, and practices when he can. Father and Mother think of coming to Keene, in August, they have not quite decided. I have not heard from Julia for more than a week, when I heard she was as well as usual. Ellen wrote the other day, something about Keene frolics, which I will tell you. She was playing on the piano, her Aunt Caroline, was sitting by the window, and a wagon drove up, Aunt C. told Ellen of it, E. got up, and looked out, and said, "I think they must have mistaken the house, for it is no one I know"; but she went to the door to see what was wanted, and found an old man and woman in the wagon who had dried apples to sell, the man put his hand in his pocket to take out a sample of the apples, and upon closer examination, who should they prove to be, but Sam Flagg, and Julia E. Hall!!!!!! They had been a good deal round Keene, and had not been discovered by all. But I must leave for Carrie, and will go back to the first page so says Sue.[in a different hand]
My dearest Hattie, Sue seems to have told you a little of every thing so I hardly know where to begin, but there is one thing she has not told you of & that is the fine sail we had down in the harbor the other day. We (Henry & Sue, Mr. Thayer, Mr. Cushing (his partner) & wife & two of Sue's cousins & I) sailed down about four miles down in the harbor & fished a little. Coming home the wind & tide were against us, so we sailed about 20 miles to get to the wharf. 'twas fine to see the sun set on the water - I have just been writing to Kate Faulkner to tell her I am coming to see her - were you ever in Boston on the 4th of July? did you ever see "The Floral Procession"? The Sabbath school of Women's L. I. [?] chapel scholars sell flowers on the common & the procession was beautiful, the children were dressed so prettily & had so many flowers & such pretty baskets. One of the prettiest [...] was an [...], on which leaned a child, dressed in white with a moss crown, carried on a platform by four boys. Shall you go to Keene before going to Palmyra? Oh how I should like to see your mother. Don't you think she will ever live in K. again? Please give my love to her when you write & remember me kindly to Charlie & ask him when he is coming to Keene to live. Do you room with Lucia Dutton now? Give my love to her & tell her I was very sorry not to see her again before she left town. You naughty child, why did not you come thru! B. & Mr. Sam'l Dinsmoore & Miss Anne Davis are to be married the first of September, they are in the city now & the twins with them. I saw Sarah and Madge at the Horticultural rooms last Saturday. They look about as they did in K. They are staying at the Tremont House & Mr. D. & Anne are busy then [...] I suppose. Sarah Wilson is in town too. I have not seen her & don't know whether she is going to Keene. I have seen Susan Thompson several times since I have been here & shall call on her again before I leave town. She looks & acts better than when in K., has lost hardly any of her liveliness, it is only a little tempered. She seems lively & not rude, talks as fast as ever. I have seen Frank Faulkner but once, he called when I first came but has not since. Don't you expect to have a grand time at Palmyra this fall? I should like to be with you. Do write soon to your loving Carrie.
[and in the first hand again]
Shall not you go to Keene this summer? Do write to me, and do not delay as long as I have. I expect to be in K.- for two months, so you will direct there. My ankle has got entirely well, and I am very well in other respects except a cold. Hope you are well. Did you make me a square of patchwork? I have not heard about it. My quilt does not get on very well. E. Hall has been sick again (only a few days), is now well. Do you like your school as well as ever? Father & Henry send love, and Sue also, with good hearty kiss. Do write to your true friend, Sue. We were all very sorry you did not come through Boston.