Saturday July 31^st
My dear Sister,
I should like to know what
you and Willie are doing this morning —
Since I finished my mornings work I
have been to see that poor Norwegian Woman
for whom I made an unavailing application
to Jenny Lynd last Summer — She is sick
with consumption and sent for me — How
sad it is to see the wrongs and suffering
of so many persons — so many that it
is impossible to help all — They are ejected
from the house they occupy by the landlord —
the woman is too ill to work — the man
inefficient — works when he can get employment
but does little for their support — the
proceeds of a subscription for building
a Shanty has been taken by the Dr —
except a half loaf of bread which Mrs
Watrous brought there was nothing in the
house to eat — two small children cold
and hungry — And this is one of hundreds

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gave it to me to read — he writes with power
and for good — When such men begin to talk
of the wrongs of Man
there is hope of improvement though it may
be far distant — your
Sister
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If Willie has not left he can bring
Downing —

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Your letters came to me free when
they were directed to Henry, I believe, I know
Augustus’

x

Augustus Seward

Birth: 1826-10-01 Death: 1876-09-11

do – I will

I went to see Clara who has been sick
but is better – I was to have taken tea
there yesterday but was prevented by company
at home — I thought I had invited Caroline
Seward’s Sister Eva DeZeng to come and
spend the day with Caroline Thursday
owing to some misapprehension she came
quite unexpectedly yesterday — I was baking
cake and had made no provision for
dinner — Clarence & Carrie came in
the evening — We expect Fred home this
afternoon in the lightning train — Our Porch
has come to a stand — Will you ask
Frances to send by express that volume of
Downing which she has of ours — The
original plan is a failure, but something
else must be adopted — How sorry I
am that Downing was among the lost in
that illfated vessel the Henry Clay – He
has done much to improve the taste of
Americans in Architecture and Gardening —
His life seems prematurely closed — How
many aggravating circumstances attend that accident

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let them pass — Augustus is well

nothing can exceed the recklessness of
the managers of the boat — It seems a
defect in our laws that such crimes have
not a severe penalty attached to them —
The Tribune of this morning has Henry’s Commer-
cial speech I have not read it yet —
I am glad it is made — I hope he will
attempt no other this session — You see
the Senate will not allow Sumner to make
his speech on the Fugitive Slave Law — Henry
speaks in high terms of it — it was carefully
prepared — I am sorry it was so long delayed
as it affords the Senators who vote against
hearing it, the shadow of an apology —
Carrie and I went to Mrs Underwood’s
to tea Wednesday — Mrs Platt of New York
as cousin is staying with Mrs Underwood —
Mrs Porter, Mrs Nelson Beardsley Miss Powers e
and Mr and Mrs Martin were there —
We came home before tea — The cousin has
no particular attraction except her dress
which was in good taste — I have been
trying this week to regulate my letters

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not use the frank’s if your post master will not

and papers together with some of Pa’s and
some of Henry’s — The papers in the safe
had become so mildewed that I am obliged
to remove them and have kept them in the
sun by one of the Garret windows two days
taking them to my own room every night — I
allowed no one to touch them or to go into
the Garret at the time — I have not yet
examined that large tin trunk — I will
next week — Although I work very steadly
I am subject to so many interruptions that
I do not accomplish much in a day — I
found and an old desk in the carriage house
containing many letters and papers some of
which I brought in and filed – Henry does
not tell me yet when he goes to Vermont
but when he does we will all go along —
Anna is here every few days — her trunk is
here – She seems very well — I shall look
for Willie to night but as you are alone
I hope he will remain over Sunday —
Fanny & Amanda play hard — The old
rabbit is out of her house and is running
all over with the others — Did you ever

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read the “Scarlet letter”

x

The scarlet letter, a romance.

 Place of Publication:Boston, MA Date: 1850

by Hawthorne

x

Nathaniel Hawthorne

Birth: 1804-07-04 Death: 1864-05-18

— Mrs Miller

x

Mary Miller

Birth: 1785-04-24 Death: 1870-04-17Certainty: Probable