Thursday Dec 26^th 1839
My Dearest Sister,
Christmas has come and gone, the New Year
is fast approaching before the advent of which I must write all
that I intend to write for there will at that time be no
peace or quietness any where no with drawing of ones self from
the cares and vexations which that season will bring with it.
Your letter came last night, it of course did not fail to add
to my other discomforts that you do not intend to come here
this Winter, It is very strange with all Wordens unreasonableness
that he should persuade himself that propriety dictates a
course of conduct which I think will occasion more surprise
and excite more observation than any other he could have
adopted. But my attempt to reason with one so capricious
I know is unavailing. I will hope that something may occur
to change your present division, it certainly is no small
disappointment to me, I have written to Mrs Cary and received
an answer in which she declines coming for no good reason
that I can see, she seems to think I am entering into all
the gaiety and frivolity of a city life and would require
my friends to be equally unwise, I have made in three
months two sociable visits this is the extent of my evening
dissipation, my mornings are chiefly consumed in making
and receiving calls form everybody of course I would not
tax any friend who might favour me with her company to share
this annoyance, but I must write once more to Mrs Cary
with however I fear little hope of success —

Pa and Augustus came Monday – Augustus has grown 3 inches
since I came away and of course has outgrown all his
clothes. I could hardly realize that he was my boy – I tell
him he will be as tall as the Kentucky giant if he keeps
on in this way. Tuesday we went to the tailor to order
a suit of clothes for him, his present suit giving him
somewhat the appearance of poor Smikes who at 16
appeared in the habiliments of 6 — Then I went to the toy
shop for a Christmas present for Fred – to Little’s for books
came home to dine with Dr Nott – I wish you could hear
him talk an hour, but I have talked enough of this before
Pa seems to enjoy himself exceedingly, Henry and Blatchford are
so much engaged with the message that they have no time
to talk so Pa has taken Mr Frankenstein for the companion of
his rambles about town, his visits to the capitol &c — Gus
has a stye in his eye which keeps him at home and Freds
aversion to being out in the open air seems to increase in
proportion to the necessity he has for that sort of exercise
I did hope Gus would be able to persuade him to play out –
That reminds me of the unfortunate termination of the only attempt
he has made to ride down hill – Ever since the snow came
the walk on the north side of our house has been used
for no other purpose – morning, noon, and night nothing has been
seen but boys of all sizes and sleds of all dimensions — I
have frequently tried to persuade Fred to join them but his timidity
prevented — Yesterday it seems he went out with Gus – they
had been there but a short time when a public constable came

along, the other boys knowing that they were violating the law
all fled. Gus and Fred remained in immanent unconsciousness &
the constable took them under his care and was marching
Gus off, (Fred was retreating) when Mr Rogers came along
and rescued Fred – not knowing Gus he passed him by until
he was attracted by Fred’s earnest solicitation to have Gusy
set at liberty. The Constable upon being informed who the boys
were of course relinquished his claims and resigned the boys
to the care of Mr Rogers — What is more surprising than all is
that my two little boys never told their mother a word of this
affair – I knew nothing of it until this morning when I was told
by Henry – I believe Fred is actually afraid now to use his sled
inside of the gate though he will not acknowledge it —
I had a short letter from Clary by Gus – she will be very lonely
without him – he remains a fortnight Pa will stay longer —
I laughed outright when I found an [ applicatn ] for offices in your
letter – Poor Henry has been so persecuted that he says he dreads
opening letters from his best friends – I wish you could see the number
which arrive every day – yours has been read and will receive due
consideration – of course like all other offices there are numberless
applicants for the same – I must go and tell Mrs Horner you have
had an interview with James, I suppose he must be on his return —
We are already making preparations for New Years day – how much
I shall feel relieved when it is over — I hope to find leisure to
tell you all about it — I met Mrs Townsend the other morning
who seems very anxious to have you here — Mrs Spencer has a
young lady spending the Winter with her, a Miss Thompson of Buffalo
she called upon me yesterday. I was pleased with her appearance – Blatchford
says I must tell you he h is going to see her –(I am writing in the
office) and adds very gallantly if she is at all agreeable it is
more than he has found any young lady in Albany to be —

Harriet Weed comes to see me occasionally she always desires me to
send love to your to you and Frances — I am very sorry your
little girl has been so sick — I know how anxious you must
have felt about her – I hope she will soon be well enough
to enjoy her dancing again. Willie has two teeth with which
he bites his mother most unmercifully, he sits alone
ten or fifteen minutes at a time and manifests so much
interest in all that is going on you would be amused to see him
he has outgrown all the little frocks you made him and cant
get on the merino ones worn by dear Nealy – I am at present
making him some of mouslin du lain – I cannot feel
reconnected to the idea of you not seeing him while
Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua
Milford
ROCHESTER
JAN 1
N.Y.
ALBANY
DEC 27
N.Y.

[right Margin] he is so pretty – his hair has grown so long on his forehead
that I shall be obliged to cut it which I do with regret
I must write to dear Clara – Your own Sister
Frances