RKfP-055

[circle] Monticello Sept 22d. 1853.

Dear Amasa

You are a kind, good boy, for writing to us - just as you did, and - I like you the better for it, it shows that you think more[underlined] of us[underlined] than[underlined] of ceremony[underlined]. You must never be ceremonious with your cousins Amasa, especialy[underlined] with us[underlined]. I am very sorry that Charlie is so unwell, but I hope that he will be better, long ere this reaches you. I never regretted anything so[underlined] much[underlined] as I did missing Uncle Asa. You say he was only a few hours behind. Oh if we had only waited a little longer - we spent four[underlined] long[underlined] days[underlined] in Memphis awaiting for a boat, and all that time we might have never been enjoying ourselves with you all, and had the pleasure of seeing Uncle Asa. Ma regrets it chiefly because she wished us to try and prevail on Uncle Asa to come home with us. Belle has just received a letter from Uncle Asa and I must stop to hear her read it and[strikethrough] for it is seldom we hear from him now[underlined], and I do realy love to hear from our friends; though somehow we can not make you all beleive it. It was written before Charlie and you, left for Gowanda - In it he gave Bell a peice of his mind, I only wish I had him here be side me to give him a peice of mine. I do not think as you say, that we could have been any kinder treated anwhere else than we were at Aunt Evas I felt perfectly at home there all this time, and shall always remember them with the kindest love. We arrived home safely a week ago - passed through the Yellow Fever unharmed which is raging in Grand Gulf and were received joyfuly by our dear Mother B[strikethrough] and Brothers, little Alie too recolects us now and is quite fond of me. I do realy beleive that some of our [Villiegers?] were glad to see us return. At least

you would have thought so if you had seen the number that flocked in the first evening. Dear Alice and Corea I have always wished to see, I know I should be pleased with them, I can only remember them as they looked when we were all children there togeather. You must make hast and grow up to be a young man, Amasa, and bring them to see us. Dear Willie - I wish he could have his wish gratified that of going to school he wants to go so much, and then perhaps he will pay us a visit some day. I hope you will write to Edward Amasa, he would be so pleased if you would. Well Good bye.

Yours Nelly [T?].

P. S. I do not know wheather this letter will please you or not for I have been guilty of a few dears[underlined] in it and in Uncle Asa's letter this morning he reprimends Bell for useing so many dears[underlined]

Nelly.

Monticello 23d Sept 1853

Amasa

I am very uneasey about Dear Charlie I remember how ill he was the evening before we left Gowanda - But I am glad that you have sent for your Father - and that kind Uncle Asa - is with you - I fear those long walks that we took to= gether, were too much for him - I blame myself for encourageing it - You recollect: Monday morning, after we had taken that walk - he was extreamely unwell all that day - and did not go with Willie and us to the Indian Reservation.

You will get him well soon - And then tell him to write his Cousin Bella - a good long letter - for he understands my heart now[underlined] - And we shall all be happy again -

We were fondly welcomed home by all[underlined] - And especially by our Mother - She met us - with a joyous smile saying as she extended her arms to us - "You poor Children" - "Poor Children". I could not restrain my tears at all, I was so happy, - I follow Ma about now all the time like a little child - telling her some= thing about you all - It seemes as though I cannot be away from her a moment; Ma has been very sick - during our absence. She has recovered - but is still very weak - But the greatest change in all - is our little 'Mocking Bird' (Alice) She has grown a great deal and speaks evry thing so plain and sweetly - Amasa you would love her very much - if you could see her. She is a precious little treasure to us all - and we try to teach her to be as good as she is beautiful.

We have read your letter over, and over again and [are?] better pleased with it each time - Ma says you did perfectly right - to write as you have done - [illegible][underlined] ceremony[underlined] away[underlined] - with your cousin Belle and Helen - And we love you the better for it Amasa - Write to us whenever you feel like it - and just as though you were talking to us. for then I can read and immagine your are with us, and that we are listening to you - Your Daguerreotype looks more and more like you - It wear's a sad look yet though - But you know how wreatched we three[underlined] felt that day - We thought you would be lonely and homesick, which made us feel worn - And after you left us on the 'Crescent City - We felt utterly alone[underlined] in the world - We walked the floor awhile and then shut ourselves up in our state room - We felt as though we would give anything to see you again that night. I could not rest well. My face ached - so bad - and in the morning it was swolen badly - and poor Helen looked almost sick - After we had taken the cars at

Cleaveland - We felt even worse - for we had hoped so[underlined] to see Uncle Asa - But Cousin Elymus came on at one of the Stations & tried too cheer us - We were glad to see him - And when he parted from us at Cincinati - We knew it was the last one of you we should ever see perhaps for a great while; We remained there one night and started to Memphis - arrived there on the 7th this mo the day before you wrote this letter - and were caged up there four[underlined] long, wearisome days - What would we have given to have been in Buffalo with you - [Boats?] would not run - to N.O. in consequence of the great sickness - Tuesday 13th - we arrived at Grand Gulf - we immediately put the Ponies in the carraige and left - for the Yllow Fever was rajing and Pa was fearful on our account - it was a blessing that we had our own conveyance - We had 70 miles to go by land - but by the night of the 15th - we rested beneath our own much loud rasp - and were deeply grateful to the giver of all good for our safe return. I do hope you, will some of you, come in less than three long years - We think truly that it is your time now to visit us - Only think of your friends at the South - Alone - no kind relations to love and make much of them - Oh: it is too, too bitter a lot to be doomed to live so far asunder - But I must not think of it now. Amasa, thank you for those seeds - Do some of them [produce?] a dry-blue flowers? And you will press us a pretty flower now and then and send it in your letters to us - Won't you - Lord did gently with you - Your Cousin

Belle Tennisson