early June 1854

Well Austin -

Sunday has come again, and it really seems to me you have been gone a good while.

I hope you will get home before a great many Sundays - It seems quite lonely here, and when I think Sue is going, I confess things seem to solitary, but so we go -

I went home from meeting with Sue, and stayed in her room sometime - She wondered she did'nt hear from you Saturday - so did we - Sue is afraid you are sick - I say you are hard at work, and that's why we dont hear from you. Sue is well - we see her every day - How we shall miss her!

I went out before tea tonight, and trained the Honeysuckle - it grows very fast and finely.

Both of them are full of buds. I take good care of the tree - give it a pail of water every day, and certainly it looks stouter, and we all think it will live.

Your grove looks beautifully too - I went down there tonight.

John Emerson just went away from here - he has been spending the evening, and I'm so tired now, that I write just as it happens, so you must'nt expect any style.

This is truly extempore, Austin - I have no notes in my pockets.

Vinnie has gone to bed - mother is giving the finishing stroke to a letter to Father, out on the kitchen stand - so you see I am all alone.

We have called upon Mary Lyman - had a very pleasant call - she spoke of you very admiringly.

Emily Fowler is here still - will leave in a day or two. We have been to see her, and she has been to see us - She seems very sincere and affectionate - Mr Ford is spending the Sabbath here - Little Pat holds on yet, tho' I expect every morning he'll be bound out for life, and we shall be in the lurch again. He asked me tonight if I had a newspaper - Why, said I, "Pat, can you read"? "Yes marm" he answered - I asked him what kind of a one he thought he should like - "Oh" said he with the utmost gravity "I want to read the newses." I gave him two Lawrence Couriers, at which he seemed quite overcome - I presume it was a munificence very grand to him - Horace works finely, and seems to feel just as much interest, as if it was all his own - We hear from Father about every day - he is fast getting well, and writes in good spirits -

We cleaned house all last week - that is to say - Mother and Vinnie did, and I scolded, because they moved my things - I cant find much left anywhere, that I used to wear, or know of. You will easily conclude that I am surrounded by trial.

Austin - Mrs Fay wants very much to have you purchase a few articles for their parlor, before you come, if you are willing to. She said she asked Father about it, and he told her you got everything of the sort here, and if you had the time, you would be willing to get a few things for her - She wants a large Rocking Chair - a WhatNot - One or two Ottomans - and a little article of the Tete a Tete fashion. She will leave it all to your taste, and thank you very much if you will do it for her.

I hope it wont trouble you - Sue says she guesses it wont - Sue says you can step into a furniture store - order what you want, and have it packed and forwarded, without farther trouble to you. There's no more room tonight, Austin - Much love for you - Write.

Emilie -