Elbridge Gerry Manning, Jr., class of 1861

its track came your usual Sunday letter that I always get Friday. I am glad to see you went through your Thanksgiving Day so bravely and hope you will do as well on the Holidays. A man fell off the train here tonight and had the whole top of his head bursted off. One other man is also in the Hospital who froze both hands & feet so badly that they must be amputated to save his life. Cause same in both cases. Men were drunk. Had it not been a stormy day last week Thursday we should have had a Ball here. As it is, I went to a party in Ellsworth Citiy Tuesday night. A small affair but my pleasant Mrs. Senator Lane gave it. She is the woman who wrote a book on Kansas and the days of John Brown troubles on the border. I remember the

book very well and would not wonder, if you had it in the house now. I got a letter from Miss Kittie the same day that yours came in and find it was written from North A. Carrie P. owes me an answer to my last yet by the way Mother suppose you give Hattie & Carrie $2.50 apiece to spend for presents as athey won't have any money to buy each other presents with and you know it is as much fun to get things for one another as to receive them. I don't care you know what you do with it. I only suggest being likely to please them I want to explain that send the money through Allie because I am afraid of that letter box down in Parkers Store and don't like the way people handle letter there - and if

Allie don't come over send for it. I only with you had some more sons as well situated as Allie. Not but what I am comfortable enough personally. but I envy him his chance to get things for you and keep an eye on you.. You will please excuse my writting so poorly tonight but I am geting awful sleepy Mother and wish I could go to sleep. my Patient poor fellow is snoring away just now although he has kept me busy all ight. I can assure you. Hoping that God will lend you the support of his arm and remember the widow and fatherless ones at home. I am my dear Mother Your Aff Son Ellie

Washington D.C. Dec. 14th, 1868. My dear old fellow, My heart was gladdened yesterday morning by the receipt of a pleasant epistle from you. You do not know, my dear fellow, how long and patiently I have waited for that letter, how hurt at first I felt in regard to your long, strange and as it then seemed to me, neglectful silence, and have deeply & sincerely I grieved, when I learned the real cause both for your impaired health and depressed spirits & for the injustice I had been

guilty of doing you in thought. I crave your pardon, & feel certain that you will grant it, as you knkow that few would have felt different had they been placed in same circumstances as I was. I am heartily rejoiced to learn that you are recoveringi your old health and strength. Of course you can expect to gain it back only by degrees & by the exercise of the utmost care and prudence. Of course it is needless for me to urge you to exercise all caution in regard to diet, exercise and exposure to the weather until you are fully recovered from the effects