November 1873

TO: Louise and Frances Norcross
FROM: ED

Dear Berkeleys,

I should feel it my duty to lay my "net" on the national altar, would it appease finance, but as Jay Cooke can't wear it, I suppose it won't. I believe he opened the scare. M[attie] says D[id] pulled her hair, and D[id] says M[attie] pulled her hair, but the issue at court will be, which pulled the preliminary hair. I am not yet "thrown out of employment," nor ever receiving "wages" find them materially "reduced," though when bread may be a "tradition" Mr. C[hurch] alone knows. I am deeply indebted to Fanny, also to her sweet sister Mrs. Ladislaw; add the funds to the funds, please. Keep the cap till I send - I could not insult my country by incurring expressage now. . . . Buff sings like a nankeen bumble-bee, and a bird's nest on the syringa is just in a line with the conservatory fence, so I have fitted a geranium to it and the effect is deceitful.

I see by the paper that father spends the winter with you. Will you be glad to see him? . . . Tell Loo when I was a baby father used to take me to mill for my health. I was then in consumption! While he obtained the "grist," the horse looked round at me, as if to say "'eye hath not seen or ear heard the things that' I would do to you if I weren't tied!" That is the way I feel toward her. . . .

Maggie will write soon, says it was Mount Holyoke, and not sweetbrier she gave you! Thanks for the little "news." Did get Fanny's note and thank it. Have thousands of things to say as also ten thousands, but must abate now.

     Lovingly,

          Emily.