Monday morning—
My Dearest Sister, I believe I must relinquish the plan of writing
to you daily I have been so unsuccessful, and write when it is
most convenient until the termination of the week when I hope
to have a letter in readiness to send. After furnishing my
letter to you on Saturday I put on my hat and cloak
and accompanied by Tracy and Sarah Cary went again
in pursuit of mantaumakers milliners and tailoresses. I
miss Eliza very much in these affairs she was so much
better acquainted with the streets than myself. However
with Tracys assistance after a long walk I succeeded in finding
Miss Adams and the name of the street in which Miss Frasier
resides. No one could promise to do any work for me until
after the Holydays – called to countermand some directions I had
given Mrs Roberts about my hat – came home to dress for dinner
at one oclock – expected Mr Duer to dine with us – found your
quandom lover Rathbone with Henry – he made many very
particulars enquiries about you and was very desirous to know
the name of the lady you had selected for him. I told him that
my instructions did not extend so far but I would consult you
in my next letter – he invited me to take a ride with him
but did not specify the time – after he and Tracy had al gone
I arranged myself for dinner putting on the new ruffle which
Polly scorched so abominably – Mr Duer did not come.
After dinner went as usual to Mrs Cary's room sat half
an hour and played dominos with the children – came home –
Weed came to see us and Henry read one of his letters from the his
Journal journal. Tracy came while he was reading and Mrs
Cary, and Mr Cary, and finally Walter and Sarah and then
my two little boys – then came tea Weed went home Tracy
remained but did not go down to tea – spent the evening with
me. Henry went to stay with John Birdsall – so much for
Saturday. Yesterday morning we went to Mr Welch's Church
after dinner we went over to see John – found Tracy nursing
him – poor John he looks very sick. I was afraid I disturbed him

he is very feeble – he said but a few words – enquired about you – I stayed
until the bells had done ringing for church and then came home
accompanied by Tracy. Henry remained with John. We read
French most of the afternoon; that is Tracy read and I looked over.
Weed came but did not stay long – went over to see Henry.
Baldwin called, Henry came home to get his tea leaving Weed with
John until he returned for the night as he had engaged to watch
that is sleep in the same room. After tea Henry went back
Tracy went to see Mrs Cary – they all went to meeting and
Tracy came back and stayed with me until 8 oclock. Then
I was all alone the little boys having gone to sleep and Maryann
wearied with the lorg long evening had also gone to bed.
I could not write to you because it was night, but I could think
about you all and make calculations upon the first letter which
I shall expect in a few days. Mr Cary came in when he
returned from Church and I went with him to his room and stayed
until the supper bell rang – then we all went to supper in con-
sideration of having pudding and milk. Then I came to my room
stole little Fred for a bedfellow and went to sleep – not with
the consciousness of having spent a profitable Sunday which
would have been much more comfortable. Henry came home
this morning before I was dressed, said John had passed a restless
night – I studied French until it was time for Henry to go
to the House and now at 11 oclockok oclock I am writing this
letter to you dearest it is the first leisure hour I have had
since I wrote before, when it was daylight so that I could write
and now I have been interrupted by Sarah and Walter but
I did not cease writing so their visits were not of long duration
I must now read a few chapters in the Headsman which is borrowed
and then it will be time to dress for dinner as John Duer is
actually coming today.
Saturday morning– My dearest Sister I found
no time to write on Teusday and since that time have been sick
with a cold – this is the first day I have felt well enough
to dress myself and go down to the table. Your kind letters
came yesterday morning – you have made great progress
in your visiting – I hope have accomplished all the disagreeable
part of it. I can hardly comprehend how Clary can have
fallen in with the prevailing opinion about Mrs Hall
she was so firmly established in a contrary belief when
I came away. I hope you will stay until after New Years

and tell me all that the people are doing in Auburn. I
dread the day here very much upon the whole I look
forward with very little pleasure to any of the gaiety of
the winter I heartily wish it were possible for us all to
be at home together. Mrs Horner called yesterday. I did
not see her as I was in bed and knew nothing of it until
I found her card on my table. Julius Rhoades and his
wife called monday evening. Julius appears about 80
and his wife is a very insipid affair. The Benedicts
have called since I have been sick – I did not see them –
Rathbone I was here again last evening – he made as usual numer-
ous enquiries about you and insists upon your coming here
to spend the winter. Weed comes in almost every day.
I read [ your ] letter to Mr and Mrs Cary as she part[ icular ] ly
desire[ d ] [ she ] is an excellent woman. Henry read
part of it to Weed which referred to the Throop affair
it amused him very much. I continue pleased with
the house and I believe the Cary's are beginning to be
reconciled to leaving Congress Hall. Mr Carys pretty
black horsed came on Wednesday accompanied by their
driver – we have this moment returned from a ride to the
mantaumakers, milliners &c— the day is fine and the
sleighing very good but I am not quite well and
feel very much as if I wanted to see you – the
children and Maryann have now gone to have their ride
went away in fine glee. Fred talks about his Aunty Ma
and Augustus is constantly enquiring when spring will come –
Henry scolded me before because I did not tell you how much
he loved you so I will do so now –

if you receive this letter at Auburn give my best love to all at home
I shall direct it to be sent on if you are not there—
your own sister
Frances
Cha. to W.H.S.
Mrs. Alvah Worden
Care of Seward & Beardsley
Auburn–
ALBANYDEC
28
hMr Beardsley will please forward this to
Aurora if Mrs W. has left Auburn. W. H. S.