Friday June 13^th 1838
My Dearest Sister
I have seated myself this rainy afternoon
in the midst of abundance of work to answer your letter
which I received Tuesday – I suppose Marcia and Jennings
made you a call when they passed through Canandaigua
they were here so short a time and left so early in
the morning that I hardly ascertained what their intentions
were. They came here Monday night very much fatigued with
a ride of 55 miles – We supposed they would remain
some days but they had been so long from home they
would not consent to prolong their visit – Jennings did not
appear well but I think Marcia’s health improved – Lauretta
and Clarence were in no wise changed for better or
for worse — As is customary at such times Laura was
taken sick Monday night and insisted upon going home
Tuesday – we have had no one but Maria since except
occasional assistance from Harriet – I walked and rode
with Marcia so much Tuesday that I could not
get up to see them off in the morning – they left at
5 in the morning in a curious establishment (from
Henry’s description) of Jennings own invention – They cannot
be less than a week getting home – I intended to have
sent your dress by Marcia but was to tired to go to
get it – The piece at Murphy’s of which I sent you a
^sample^ did not contain enough for a dress but I found a
piece of rep at Hopkins which I think will please
you equally well – I find there are a great variety of
patterns of rep silk while I fancied all were like Mrs
Cary’s – this price was nine shillings a yard – I
bought sixteen yards a large pattern but thought it

might be difficult to match – Bishop sleeves not very large
plaited close to the arm about three inches from ^at^ the top
and bottom of the sleeve – a narrow cap at the wrist – round
cape trimmed with ribbon plaited on full or a plain fold
of the same seem to be the N present fashion – Polly Ingols
is here altering some dresses – the sleeve is improved by
a plaited ruffle about an inch wide two or three inches
from the shoulder – there is a ruffle and bow both
on the dress I had made in – N York– So much
for dress — I will send yours in company with Oliver Twist
by Mrs Sherwood e who goes to Canandaigua Monday –
As for Oliver I do not find any one to read it for me
just now and am anxious you should be entertained
with it as soon as possible – I went over to see Mrs
Beardsley last evening – found her very agreeable – she and
Beardsley both came home with me and sat until nearly
ten oclock – she always enquires with much interest about
you — We hear of considerable gaiety in town but
do not participate there seem to be a number of Brides
no less than five or six young men have taken wifes to
themselves of the fair daughters of Auburn — I believe it
quite a question sometimes whom the parties which are
given are intended to honor – Mrs E Hills and Mrs Cheadell
both gave a party (small I believe) Wednesday – I believe
the people are as sensible as we are that we have outlived
our season of gaiety – we seldom receive an invitation to
join in the festivities around us for which I am truly
thankful – Mrs Griswold was “at home” in other words
received company between the hours of 3 and 9 Tuesday
they are boarding at Mrs Tenlicks (I don't know how to spell it)
who lives in the old Kasson house – Mrs Isham has
not returned yet – it is amusing to hear all the
gossip which is afloat about that marriage – Harriet
Hughes was here to tea yesterday and talked us

deaf as usual – Harriet is warm hearted one cannot help liking
her – I never saw any one more destitute of as Balwin
says that best of all virtues Discretion. She now makes it
her home at Stephen Goodwins on account of her former
love for him I suppose – I never saw her so well dressed
as she was yesterday I think Francis must have disisted
her toilette – Dr Smith & his wife is still boarding
with Mrs Chase both very unwell – Mrs Smith wishes
very much to make you a visit this summer which
I have no doubt she will accomplish – Do announce
to Frances that five ducklings have made their escape
from the shell and more are hourly expected – I should
think making a moderate calculation that Augustus
has been at the nest about one hundred times since
sunrise – had the little hare come when I wrote before?
I think not - Mr McClallen got it of a man who had
killed the old hare – it is very soft and furry –the color
of a grey squirrel about five weeks old – looks
much like a young rabbit – eats milk and clover
they are obliged now to keep in in a closed pen to protect
it from the cat and Snip – You are so happy in
the selection of names do send us one for the poor
little hare – Clara is not ready to make the visit yet
I hope she will be in a week or two Augustus shall
come whenever she gets ready – the roads are far
from inviting at present – how much rain
and what exceedingly warm weather – Henry will
go next week – Butternut and Daisy are beautiful
names as was Mary Howits poetry – Tell Frances I have
some double buttercups in the garden and will save
some seed for her – Henry brought the roots from
Ludlowville – Our Dahlias are growing finely I am

so sorry that I did not send Frances a root by Marcia but the hurry
was such that I thought of nothing – Did Mrs Dill say any-
thing about the lemon tree – I recollect Mr Muir well – I suppose
he was a young man then but I looked upon him with great
awe – I am glad to hear of John Birdsalls advancement
poor John he will find little in the honours which may be heaped
upon him to bring peace to a mind so delicately moulded and
so overcharged with sorrow as his — 
Maria Miller is very much pleased with the idea of visiting Ballston
I think I mentioned that she was to accompany Henry as far as– Schenectady– Ann goes with her – Mrs Yates is to visit the
house daily and attend to the plants – ever your Own Sister Frances –
Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua
AUBURN
JUN
16
N.Y.