Auburn April 26, 1846
My dear Augustus,
Your long expected letter came
yesterday to relieve my anxiety – I cannot
account for the delay of my former letter as
it was mailed the day it was written –
How many times I have wished you were here
with the boys for a vacation – Fred’s time
has about expired he returns to Schenectady
this week –Clarence has two weeks more –
They met with rather an unpleasant ad-
venture last week – Mr Blatchford sent
them to Geneva with a letter – they took
one of our horses and hired a buggy
went the 20 miles delivered the letter
and stopped at a farm house (there being
no tavern) to dine – After dinner they
harnessed the horse for the purpose of returning
home – Fred was leading him from the barn
when he slipped, started and throwing
the buggy against the barn door tore
off two boards – this so frightened him
that he escaped from Fred and ran the
distance of three miles – many persons
making unsuccessful attempts to stop
him only increased his speed – he finally

ran under a shed dashing to pieces one of the
wheels of the buggy – he was ridden back and
the buggy brought in a lumber wagon to
the place from whence they started – Fred
came back that night in the stage, Clarence
remaining to have a new wheel made and
the wagon otherwise repaired – having expen-
ded all their money Fred came for a
new supply – which I sent by letter the
next day – Clarence was detained two
days – came home last evening – I found
it rather an expensive excursion but I
was thankful no harm befel the boys.
I am afraid to have Grandpa drive that
horse any more as he is in the habit
of doing – Grandpa is just getting over
his attack of gout – he walked out last
week for the first having been confined
four weeks — The last letter I had from
your father he was in Cincinnatti – he
goes from there to Lexington then to St. Louis
then to New Orleans – he was enjoying
himself very well though he took a
severe cold going down the Ohio River
He spent a night with Mr Sanford who is
living there very pleasantly – Mr Frankenstein
is there also with my bust which you
will recollect he took away with him –

Our garden begins to look gay – the crocuses
have given place to daffodils crown imperials
and polyanthus – The tulips give promise of
much beauty – I hope we shall have no June
frost to destroy them – so far I think the
weather has been more than usually cold.
Willie is out constantly – his eyes continue
well – he has two hens and has attempted
to keep bull heads in a pond but the water
failed and the fish died – he is more anxious
to commence speculating in ducks I have
dissuaded ^him^ so far, pleading the want of a
pond and sufficient room – Fanny is very
well but owing to the weakness of one ankle
does not walk alone yet – she talks
incessantly to make up that deficiency.
Grandpa Seward wishes to sell his house
and come here to live – Julia is so much
out of health as to be unable to take charge
of the house any longer – Aunt Clara
is well and sends much love to you
her place looks very pretty this summer all the
flowers and shrubs they set out last fall
are doing well – The boys send love.
Uncle Worden is nominated a delegate to the
Convention which is to meet at Albany in
June to amend the Constitution of this State –
He will of course be elected – He is yet in

Albany the Legislature not having adjourned –
Your father will probably be absent a month
to come – A Dieu – Your affectionate
Mother