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My happy home, Sep. 17th, 1899
My happy home,

My Dear Son,

I started for home on the thirtieth of July. We
stayed in Hannible for two days with our Kentucky friends, such
as Mrs. Shackleford, Mrs. Gerwin, daughter of Mrs. S, Mrs. Hawkins, formerly
of Georgetown. Mrs. Samuels, Daughter of the late Judge Shannon. Mrs. Van
Swaningen and
Mr. Fife of this place formaly, who was very polite to Mary Jane. Mr.
George Shackleford was extremely polite to us. On the third of Aug.
we arrived in St. Louis, and stoped at the Virginea Hotel. We walked ourselves
down that day. The next being Sunday we went to Church in
the morning at the Cathedral, and in the evening we attended Vespers
in the new Church which is spendid. I think we quire finer
than in the morning. How delighted I should be to live where my
religion has such a respectable standing and the service performed so
magnificently. We walked again untill I was broke down. Then I
wished I had plenty of money that I might stay as long as I wished.
I left the next morning with regret. I wished to see every spot I
have seen before, to look and think--The associations are dear and
interesting to me, pleasing yet melancholy. We left the boat at
Henderson early in the day on Thursday and stoped at Taylors Inn.
Mr. Powell who lived with us when a law student, is married
and living in that place. He call'd on us in a quarter of an
hour after our arrival and insisted on us to go to his house,
we went and dinned and suped, then returned to take a short
sleepe before The stage should start for Madisonville, but it
was imposible being the last day of the State elections. The people
you know must make a noise, so at it they went, burning lan
barrels in the streets and singing political songs until we
left, which was eleven o'clock. We arrived at the same hour
the next day at Doct. Rays. How delightful it was to be once more
with my relations. Every body call'd on us. Mr. & Mrs.
Frost was very polite to me. Their daughter is grown and it just
going into company, she is not prity, but interesting. She sings,
plays on the pianno, prattles, and tells anidoats with grace.
David sayed he was smartly frost bit before we left. I left
Mary Jane at Sallys. She is not in good health and in very
low spirits. She cannot be happy to live sepperated from Margarettas
children. However, she is determined to try it until spring.