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Dear Sarah

Sister says I must write to thee as she is trying to get
a quilt out today that has picked our fingers to the quick, we have
have not had much help, as some have quilts in the frame and others are
getting ready to do the same thing.

I have not been to see any of our friends (Hannah Peives excepted in sleighing
time) since I was in Alexandria and but twice at meeting, yet I do
intend to turn out as soon as the roads are palpable for wheels.

Father proposed this morning that I should get in with brother and
go to Washington, take the steamboat and pay you a little visit, but
I think it likely if he had thought I would have taken him at his word he
would have sought out some difficulties to throw in my way, yet
if there was a safe and comfortable conveyance he would help to fix
me off very cheerfully well knowing the busy time that is nearly at hand
when I must be here.

Richard Dorsey has his sale on 3d day and expects to leave the neighborhood
on 6th day, we all feel sorry to part with them, but even the nisest of
mene have dreams that they never realize, and I think Richard is counting
his chickens too fast, but we do sincerely wish them well.

I dreamed last night of leading Ann and walking round the hill
before the door and she was talking all the time very sweetly and
looking up in my face it awoke me, and lo I found the vision had fled
and left me the prey of strong coffee that kept me nervous for along time
after, I do make many weak resolves about my suppers but the exhilarating
perfumes of the coffee pot crumbles all my determination of the past into
near nothing and again the [t?] goes to her dream.

I have not seen my little grandson since the snow left us, it feels
quite a trial but 1 must be resigned to that which we cannot control
every account says he still knows how to cry.

Thy stockings will be sent by Brother, and left at Granville,

All our friends here and here away in usual health, Ruth Birdsall has
been ill and though some better yesterday, cousin Debby thought not out
of danger, she is the 3d one of the family that the have had to nurse
for several weeks this winter, Father is very smart rides every
day, and at least twice a week is out hunting, thy old friend Chappelan
Brewer staid here on first day night an joined him in the chase on
second day and at 5 oclock 5 of them came home as hungry as wolves
and our dinner had been kept on the stove.