Auburn May 10^th
My dearest Sister
I began to think I never should
get an opportunity to write to you – we have had
a visitation from Gerry and his Henglish wife
which is just terminated – they came yesterday
in all this rain and mud – the visit would
in all probability have been considerably longer
had not Peter made a mistake about the horses
which Sackett directed him to take to Capt Chase –
Peter understood him the Exchange – once there
they could not well be brought away and
carried to Chase – there was not room in our
barn for them – I consider this a very fortunate
occurrence – Peter recieved a suitable reprimand
for his stupidity – I now have asked him whether
it was really a misunderstding – that is doubtful
Mrs Sackett is a singular woman but not
entirely deficient in sense as I once thought
her – just mediocre – no more – she talked much
more than she did at the time we made
that unfortunate visit – has a great deal to
say about prices and wages &c &c – I recieved
your letter yesterday and do not wonder that
you thought writing a letter a serious undertaking
this dismal weather depresses one and converts
"mole hills" into "mountains" – There was a rail
road meeting yesterday – McClallen gave a packet

containing your dress, my veil and some other
articles which you mentioned, in charge to Mr
Bemis of Canandaigua, who was here attending the
meeting – did I send all you wished McClallen
seemed to think the packet pretty ponderous
but we have taken larger and I thought nothing
of it – are you acquainted with Mr Bemis or
his family? – I do not know what to say about the
hat which you have not got yet it seems – Clara
went to the Milliners yesterday with Mrs Sackett
she saw some Florence Tuscans, flats I think, for
10$ but could not tell much about the quality
I will go out and take observation myself
as soon as the weather will permit – Mrs Throops
hat which I mentioned is Leghorn – Eliza Horner
says leghorn was worn considerably in Albany
last Fall and she thought would be fashionable
this summer – would you prefer the leghorn if they
were more fashionable – I can hardly tell but
think I should – I will write more on this subject
as soon as I can get out – I know you want
your hat immediately – that is anticipating some
sunshine this month – Mrs Sackett did not
suit herself I fancy did not intend to – only
wished to see the fashions and enqure prices –
she certainly is as deficient in taste as any
person I ever saw having on no less than 5 colours
and those by no means indefinite –
Cornelia Pitney died last night – she has been
failing one or two weeks – she sank under the
reducing process to which her father thought it
necessary to subject her for the inflammatory
rheumatism – Mary and Kit came the day

before her death – she manifested great repugnance
to seeing or conversing with any one though she
seemed sensible. – She never exchanged a word
with Mary – closed her eyes whenever she came near
the bed and when her father told her she was
near the end of her life said she did not wish
or could not talk about it – she was so unwilling
that any one should be in the ^room^ except Caroline Harris
and her father that it was not until the
shade of death had dimmed her sight that
Mary ventured to remain in the room – This
can in no way be accounted for but by supposing
some abberration of mind perhaps occasioned by
excess of stimulus – It is fortunate that Mary
is deficient in sensibility – it seems to me that
it would kill me to part in this way
with a loved sister – The funeral is to take
place Saturday – Mrs Pitney is confined to her bed –
I have a letter from Henry today – he is uncertain
about coming home – may be here this week but it will
be only for a visit – to return again in a few weeks and
complete his business – lazy day and Weed were all there –
he writes nothing new – thinks of visiting George
whose wife is very sick – Tell Cousin Frances
I cannot get much assistance from the boys
about naming the Dog – Fred thinks Busker a good
name because Mr Weed’s dog is named Busker – but as
I cannot tell why this name was given him it will not
answer the purpose – Fred proposes Keeper, Jowler, Watch
but I do not think any of them preferable to those
you mentioned – I should like to see the fat clumsy
creature – Frances will love him very much –
your own Sister
Frances

Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua
AUBURN MAY 11 N.Y.