12 March 1853

Dear Austin.

I am afraid you think that we have all forgotten you, we hav'nt written now for so many days, but we hav'nt, and I will tell you why we have kept still so long. We thought from your first letter that you'd probably write us again in a day or two, and there might be some thing which you would want to know, so we waited to hear from you - well, you did not seem to write so soon as we expected, and I thought Wednesday morning I would'nt wait any longer, but we know not what is before us.

A little while after breakfast Vinnie went over to Mr Kellogg's on an errand - was'nt going to stay but a minute - well, two hours had passed away and nothing was seen of Vinnie, and I had begun to wonder what had become of her, when Emmeline walked in with her, and helped her onto the Lounge. Her right hand was all done up, and she looked so faint I thought somebody had killed her. It seems she went to the door and found the Dog lying there, and thought she would pat him a little so that he would'nt growl, but he did growl terribly, then snapped at her hand, and bit the thumb on her right hand, almost thro from one side to the other. Her hand pained her so much that she fainted constantly, and as soon as she was able Emmeline came home with her. Mr Kellogg's folks felt dreadfully about it, they did everything they could - Em went from Dr Woodman, and we had quite a time - this was when father was gone, and of course it frightened us more, but you need'nt be scared any longer Austin, for she's doing nicely now. She cant comb her hair or dress her, or help herself at all, so you see I have my hands full, for besides doing all this, I have to do her usual work. That's the reason I hav'nt written you Austin, many a time before. I could'nt get time to do it, but I've thought of you just as much, and more, than if I c'd have written, and we all miss you every day, and want to see you more than I can possibly tell you. I am so glad to know you're happier, and that Cambridge looks brighter to you. We enjoyed your letter very much and laughed heartily at it - father particularly, seemed to think it "uncommon" fine. He got home Thursday night, at about 12 o clock.

The Newman family are coming here about the middle of April - another fact which will please you. Uncle Sweetser and his wife are going to Europe in May, and Elisabeth and their children are coming to Amherst to board at Mr Newman's for the summer! Such intelligence needs no comments. I have telegraphed to Sue. Dont say anything about it in the letter you write me next, for father reads all your letters before he brings them home, and it might make him feel unpleasantly.

I hope we shall all be spared to have one kitchen meeting, and express our several minds on this infamous proceeding, but I wont trouble you. You asked about the Paper. Daniel Webster of Deerfield cant come on account of the limited salary - Mr [Samuel] Nash, on account of his eyes, and as Mr Trumbull has gone, they got Mr Sydney Adams, with the assistance of others to get out the this weeks one. Bowdoin "moves on" like snails. I have heard once from Susie - not much tho'. We will hem the crash, and send it to you by the first opportunity. Mother wants you to get a cheap Comforter and put on the palmleaf mattress; - she says t'will be easier to you.

We all send you our love. Vinnie says she will write as soon as she uses her hand. Write us soon.

Aff

Emilie