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why- I will tell you - I have been trying all day to write to you my darling Mother - & a poor confused scrawl it is - & now at 10 - I have got the little ones assleep and came down stairs to finnish this attempt at a letter when William & John gave me these foolish messages - and now I must hasten back before any of them wake and call me- I feel quite bright about my precious Cooney ---
I can scarecely realise that my precious Father has been to see you & has again gone but was on the point of sending him a message of love - Oh these partings are too too painfull to think or [?] of I fear you will find this letter a very confused one - for this morning I was trying to write by my poor little sick boys bed and
was scarcely less nervous than he was himself - And now that he is better &sleeping - W & John have confused me sadly by their talk - W says he did not know that the letter was to you dear mother or he would never have sent such nonsence as his messages - May God bless you each &every one - W all thank you very much for all your good things - Ihave got the boy of [Sugar? Rhims?] &will send the girls [sonn?] - [?] is as usual Dr T- shall see her as often as he wishes- Give thousands of love &many warm kisses to each loved one my own dear Mother & accept a double [shar?] for yourself from your own child [HC?]
If none of the children are illsicker I will send Clementine home on Saturday- dear Floyds shirts are all done - long a go--- by her I will try and send all you all request me to get for you
10th April 56
My own beloved child
Your dear letter of the 7th gave ever more pain than pleasure. I was so much distressed to hear of the relapse of my precious little Cooney. & have so great a dread of Johny & the sweet little Rosalie being afflicted in the same way. I can only hope & pray the mercy of God in their behalf. If they all are restored to health how can we be sufficiently grateful? Only by a closer walk with Him who has shown so much merci! May I for one, be able to so so---
These measles for the number of cases has been more severe than any other I have ever experienced - Several of my little negros continue in a very precarious state - especially Ellens baby. After the 4th week I told her she could (as the weather was fine) bring her to the kitchen - she did so one day that night the fever returned & three nights ago all at once blood & matter fushed from her nostrels & nearly suffecated her - the next morning she looked so feeble & changed I did not think she would live the day out. Next morning the same corruption gushed from one ear filling her cap & running down her neck - she now looks more like [har?] herself but very weak & still a considerable discharge I am thankful I have no worse news to give you. your Sisters & Floyd are pretty well. I am as usual fretting my life out. for what I cant help. I am so sorry your dear Father missed the morning train - he was not only deprived of spend-ing a few hours with you, but will have to undergo more fatigue in reaching Marshall. When he once starts there is no knowing what risks he will not run to accomplish
his object. May God! protect him from harm. He is a noble self sacrificing husband & Father, we cannot sufficiently love & admire him. I am worried that I should have hinted at Clementines returning on Saturday - If it was not written I certainly intended you should understand that she was not to come unless your children were recovered. I shall also be annoyed if you send any of the candies - Your sisters have had a box I presume of the same & that one was for you I am so much afraid of going deeper into debt & have so many necessary wants to supply. when I begin to ask you to get me things I become confused & forget the real, in the imagin -ary ones. I ought to have told you which two of those cheap muslins were for myself that you may have retained them to get the waists made. I like the idear of possessing the flowers you name. & if you think I can get them here safe you can purchase them for me. Be sure they come in the same jars you have seen them growing in. When cousin Amanda got me plants from that gardener, he took them out of the jars to send. I want to know the price of matting before Butler goes on that I may know how much I can afford to get this summer. I also want door mats & shall have to get a piece of linen sheeting - let me know the price & table cloths - the two latter I would like you to select & the price of cotton cambric for petticoats - &c &c &c
Yesterday Mrs Turner, Mrs Haggard & Sal dined here We are all very much pleased with Mrs Turner - she seems not only an intelligent but a very amiable woman. one who has drank deeply from the cup of affliction - but shows a perfect resignation - he daughter did not accompany