19 June 1853

Do you want to hear from me, Austin? I'm going to write to you altho' it dont seem much as if you would care to have me. I dont know why exactly, but things look blue, today, and I hardly know what to do, everything looks so strangely, but if you want to hear from me, I shall love very much to write - Prof Tyler has preached today, and I have been all day - Susie walked home from meeting with us, and was so disappointed at having not letter from you - It really seems very unsafe to depend upon Judge Conkey, and that Mr Eaton too, I should think quite hazardous - Dont wait for them next time. We received your notes and the Poems, for which we thank you, last week - Father seemed much pleased with this letter, and all of us laughed a little - The remark concerning Mr Ford seemed to please father mightily - I dont dont [sic] mean what I said, but your opposition to me - He told me you'd "hit me off nicely." You make me think of Dickens, when you write such letters as that - I am going to read it to Sue - I should have done before, but the afternoon it came, we had terrible thunder showers, and it rained all evening long, and yesterday afternoon Father wanted us all to ride, so I have not had opportunity - I walked with her last evening - She wore her new things today, and looked beautifully in them - a white straw hat, trimmed with Rouches - mantilla of fawn colored sick, very handsomely finished, and white Dress. She is going after Miss Bartlett tomorrow morning at 5 - and begins her Dressmaking tomorrow -

She says she shall just get thro' by the time you get home -

So shall Vinnie and I - there must be no sewing then - We are all pretty well, and the weather is beautiful - If you were here I think you would be very happy, and I think we should, but time has wings, and you will be with us soon. We have been free from company by the "Amherst and Belchertown Railroad" since Joel went home, tho' we live in constant fear of some other visitation -

"Oh would some power the giftie gie" folks, to see themselves as we see them. Burns. I have read the poems, Austin, and am going to read them again, and will hand them to Susie - They please me very much, but I must read them again before I know just [what] I think of "Alexander Smith" - They are not very coherent, but there's good deal of exquisite frensy, and some wonderful figures, as ever I met in my life - We will walk about it again - The grove looks nicely, Austin, and we think must certainly grow - We love to got there - it is a charming place. Everything is singing now, and everything is beautiful that can be in it's life.

So Joel did'nt have a remarkable trip up here - wonder which enjoyed it the most - the pestilence, or the victims - Dont tell him what I said - And think besides Aunt Lavinia must be very busy - Guess "Father will be tired" when they next visit here.

Jerry gets along nicely, takes first-rate care of the horse, and seems unusually grand after having a message from you. It has the same effect as a big mug of cider, and looks a good deal better. I am glad your eye has got well. You must use it carefully, for a little while - I hope you received your hat - I had not time to write you with it, for I did it up late last night, after having folks here all the evening, and I hope it did not seem strange to you.

The time for the New London trip has not been fixed upon -

I sincerely wish it may wait until you get home from Cambridge, if you would like to go.

The cars continue thriving - a good many passengers seem to arrive from somewhere, tho' nobody knows from where - Father expects his new Buggy to come by the cars, every day now, and that will help a little - I expect all our Grandfathers and all their country cousins will come here to pass Commencement, and dont doubt the stock will rise several percent that week. If we children and Sue could obtain board for the week in some "vast wilderness," I think we should have good times. Our house is crowded daily with the members of this world, the high and the low, the bond and the free, the "poor in this world's goods," and the "almighty dollar,["] and "what in the world are they after" continues to be unknown - But I hope they will past away, as insects on vegetation, and let us reap together in golden harvest time - that is you and Susie and me and our dear sister Vinnie must have a pleasant time to be unmolested together, when your school days end. You must not stay with Howland after the studies cease - We shall be ready for you, and you must come home from school, not stopping to play by the way! Mother was much amused at the feebleness of your hopes of hearing from her - She got so far last week once, as to take a pen and paper and carry them into the kitchen, but her meditations were broken by the unexpected arrival of Col Smith and his wife, so she must try again - I'm sure you will hear from her soon. We all send our love to you, and miss you very much, and think of seeing you again very much, and love dear Sue constantly. Write me again soon. I have said a good deal today.

Emilie.