Letter from the Robinson Family papers, dated 1869-12-30

[Dec 30-31 1869]

East Montpelier

My darling cousin,

I'm sure I love thee if thee is "naughty" and I began to think thee was a little before thy letter came, or rather, to come nearer the truth, I feared from thy long silence thee was not able to write either on account of thy own health of that of George's or worse still, from lack of inclination to write. Thy letter dispelled these fears and did me a deal of good. I think I am among the favored of girls to own such a dear, good cousin as thee is, and I thank thee for the privelege of corrsponding with thee. I still class myself among the "girls" thee sees - though I really belong to the "ancient maidens" as [Luxe?] impiously calls them. But from a child a nameless relative, near a kin, personified to me, the tribe of "old maids"

[in left margin:]

I am glad to hear of Henry McAllister, he was Willie's dearest friend, and for years mine too, but he has sadly neglected our family since he went to St. Albans. This is a long letter of nothing.

and I dont like to enter the list, so to four score I shall delude myself with the idea that I am still a "girl." Here is a good connundrum on the same subject. I'm afraid thee has seen it though. "What is the difference between a maiden of sixteen and a maid of sixty?" Give it up? "One is careless and happy and the other is hairles and cappy."

My dear, to think thee's no better posted about Quarterly meeting! Why, the fall meeting was held in Farnham and the next is to be in Ferrisburgh, I believe. I very much hope some of us may attend and I at least, shall try hard to do so. Which is the stronger magnet drawing me in that direction thee or the meeting. I don't feel called upon to decide. Even John Paige, minister, a good one too and out of Seneca's stamp, came here hoping that some of us would go to Ferrisburg Q. Meeting with him, when in fact we had already all attended it at Farnham.

Mary and Howard. James and I went, by private conveyance, and enjoyed our week's absence from home very much. The meeting was a month earlier than usual on account of the roads, and we had charming rides, for the trees were at their most gorgeous, and the air was pure elixer of life. I wanted to pitch a tent and spend days on Bakersfield Mt. The massive, towering rocks on either side covered with brilliant foliage, and glorious old Mansfield in front made me drunk with beauty, but a ride in a drizzling rain a while afterwards sobered me, effectually. 31st. The trials of a housekeeper! No sooner do I get fairly to writing when a neighbor calls, or the wicked clock announces it is time to put on the potatoes or the pies need turning in the oven. I have been keeping house all alone for over five weeks, a thing I never did before. In fact, I knew very little about cooking and the thousand things required to keep a family in good

condition. Before I went to school I had much rather sit down in a corner and read or study than to learn the mysteries of cooking and as I was not very strong mother was kind enough to give me every opportunity to follow out my inclinations, - I like my business, I'm making a regular one of it, and so far have had wits enough about me not to have made very unpardonable blunders. How long the household gods will smile propitiously on my efforts I cannot tell, but I mean to do my [pretties?] for I've often heard schoolma'ams weren't worth a fig out of school. Tempie went home to attend school but she cares more for feet than brains and the only one she has attended is a dancing. It's a pity everyone cannot think as I do. Charley went to Pontiac about a month ago. I may have written of uncle Andrew [Tarney's?] death, which occurred about a month after mother's. Aunt Mary was anxious to have Charley spend the winter with

them, as otherwise she and her daughter would be all alone. He thought it was a good chance to visit them and to see a little of the world, so though I did not much approve of the move, I was rather forced to let him go. He had begun studying and reciting to me, and was doing a good deal with music besides his health is not a bit good. A few days before he went he was seized with a kind of fit caused by his taking a sudden cold and the improper action of his heart. For two hours we thought he could not recover, and he showed no signs of life except a feeble breathing. When he bagan to revive, he soon felt "as well as ever", and laughed greatly at our fears, but the physician said there was cause enough for them. He writes he is quite well and is well contented. While I think of it, aunt Paulina wants to be remembered - I don't know but there was some love about it - to thee every time I write, and should I chance to omit it in future letters, please