39

Sunday 27th January 1856

My dearly beloved Georgia, Flo, and [Appy}
I have just been having a little talk with our darling Butler who got home through rain and storm about two oclock last night. His cough is very bad but he makes lightof it. Oh my children in what a state of painful anxiety I am kept. Just to think your dear father far away alone among strangers- dear Mallery and Tip also far away alone among strangers. Your beloved daughters and sons and grandchildren my precious Appy confined to her bed- have had fever and may be getting measles- dear [Tooter's]? children all exposed to the infection. My poor Floyd now down with it- Butler with a bad cold- I only free from bodily ailment but far rather would I have all you could all suffer than have either of you feel a finger ache. I very much fear for my precious Appy. I know you will all watch over her with as much care as I could and then you can get medical advice which I can't were she here. I do hope and trust you will neither of you think it your duty to come to my assistance. Virginia if she has not already taken infection from Floyd would be thrown again in the way of it. You my Georgia can be of most service to Appy sick or well than toFloyd. And my precious Florence is so capable and so willing to help you take care of Appy. No do not think it your duty to return home first now. Dear Floyd has had little or no fever since yesterday morning- he complains of nothing now but his cough which at times is severe but no worse than before you left us. He is of course impatient of confinement. I was alarmed about his throat -the second ? on Friday night- but that no longer troubles him. The eruption is disappearing sooner than it does