McFarland-Russell Letter, May 30, 1889

Earlville, N. Y. May 30, 1889 Mr. R. E. Russell. Dear cousin, -

Your last letter was rec'd on my return from Hamilton where I had been spending two weeks in caring for my mother who was very ill with a brain difficulty, the Dr. pronounced it strong symptoms of spinal meningitis. She was very ill indeed so that for nine days I had to keep the bell muffled and could allow no one but the physicians to see her. She is convalescent now though her head is very weak and sensitive.

The law would have taken me home one of the two weeks to attend

willing to risk his camera, and I would exchange with you. Thy uncle Geo. who has been very ill with pneumonia is better now. Aunt Lib is usually well. Are you fond of reading, or does your work allow you no time for the pleasure? What kind of store are you clerking in? wholesale or retail? I gave Charlie R. your message, he was quite pleased that you remembered him and wished to know whether you still kept the factory where he worked. School duties await, so good by. Your cousin, Lottie A. Williams, Box 336, Earlville

the Teacher's Institute, so I have but five days of lost time to make up. Owing to a new law of N. Y. state compelling the school year to close earlier this year than formerly, I am obliged to make up time every opportunity I can, consequently I am going to teach to day, Decoration. Quite patriotic, you say; yes, I am, appearances are often deceitful, you remember.

Thy will not quarrel over political opinions, but while you are a strong Dem. I remain just as strong a Repub. Ultimately, I hope for the victory of the Prohibition party, but just now I think its principles are better as carried out by the Repub. As to the negros, they are more in numbers at the South than North and perhaps you are better able to judge of their qualifications for citizens than I; but

in the North they are quiet, peaceable, industrious, and the younger generations intelligent. I can not but feel that we are both children of one Heavenly Father, and that they ought not to be debarred from any rights of education or voting on account of color. When you come to compare the morals of the men, the Dems of the South and the Repubs of the North would form one very united class. Now I have spoken my little piece I will be silent.

You spoke of vegetation in Texas now. I wish I might enter your garden for a while, I think my appetite would be sharpened considerably. We can not boast so much here tho' we had an unusually early spring. However, the last week we have had some very strong winds and frosts which has cut the corn and damaged

other crops to some extent. The apple orchards are suffering terribly. Last year a large number of very fine ones were entirely destroyed by the apple tree worm, and this year they are thicker than ever. The trees look as they do in winter, the branches stripped of their leaves; while the roads and fences are lined with the pests. Did I tell you I was very fond of flowers? I am exceedingly, I generally have plants in any school room through the summer, as it mars the cheerlessness of the school house in some degree. This morning I have just gotten some new ones, the others are thriving beautifully.

You asked for my picture. You would rue the day you made that request if you could see me. They are deceiving and flattering in one respect, however, for I have naturally that most beautiful of all hair, "red", or as some say "auburn." Am I throwing stones while living in a glass house? if so, pardon. I have no photos at present, but intend having some if I can find an artist who is