McFarland-Russell Letter, January 26, 1883

Newton Newton Co Texas Jan 26 1883 Mrs Kate C. Russell

Dear Sister

This is quite late in the evening I commence writing a letter But better late than never. I am in deed sorry to have caused you such uneasiness as you must have felt, but I did try to get a letter off for Two or Three weeks but something was allways wrong I told Mr Smith to stop with you, and tell you lots of things. I am terriably uneasy about Mr Smith I am allways uneasy about him when he is away. Hoy & Tom are both quite well If they can only remain so I will be glad Our God only knows How I have felt when Hoy has been so sick, Tom has been all his life healthy, with an exception of colds. I wish I had some news to write to you; Miss Johnnie and Sid were marrid about Two weeks ago, and I notice the death of little Annie White, of Jasper caused by being badly burnt Proff McCowen, of the Jasper college is allso dead, died in Tennessee

I have not planted any vegetables yet,

Mr Smith said wait until his return My old darkie woman went home to day she will be back soon.

Mrs Fannie Fuller has another fine girl The Town of Newton is improveing in the last few months in Houses and emigrants There is three new babys lately Well write me all the news. I hear none worth spreading of. I am bussy makeing a quilt Oh! how slow the needle works by hand I am makeing it for an other person Too but I get the pay;

I wish you could come up I want you to come as soon as you can and stay a long while. I know most you will not try to come before warm weather, but come when ever you can. Tell Mr Smith if he comes back to see you we are getting on fine so far. Mr Tom Cheatham has come and set in to work I have not seen Ed in Two or Three month yes four months.

And do not ever hear from them now do you ever hear from Sis, Brother or any of our folks. I never do. You must excuse my badly written letter for I am in such haste. Tell the children I wish oh so much to see them and tell

Maggie I come right on when you all go to imposeing upon her. I come to Aunt Mag Hoy & Tom said tell Cecile & Mary that They have got a little white heifer calf named John Jane, and ever so many pigs and Oh Hoy says tell them, That Tom can not say red he says ded. ded pig for red pig. Oh how he teases Tom.

Well goodbye for to night. Well Kate This is Friday Mr Smith has been gone a week to day we are all well yet but the weather is again very bad, Nothing new to tell

Well, write me a long letter and tell me all the news. I shall be so glad if you will come up soon.

Our Love to you all. be sure to remind Mr Smith of getting the boys some Toys. and I told him to get your children some but he never thinks of such things

I do Love Petterson

Ever your Sister affectionately

Maggie Smith

The Old Familiar Faces I have had playmates, I have had companions, In my days of childhood, in my joyful school days All. All. are gone, The old familiar faces.

This is a prettie piece. look in the saturday evening post Jan 20th read it all, Ever Affect. Maggie