folder 18: February 1856

is the weakening of the eyes - As yet her child shows no symtom of getting it but I think it will have it

If [Mr Morris]'s charges are not beyond my means I will send [Floyd] the last of March. I would like to make him more shirt - I want you to see if you can get me 10 tucked bosoms at De Witt & Morgans - the [wove?] tucks are most durable. If they have none on hand perhaps they would send to N.Y. for them. They asked me ^$1-25 a piece for them last year. that is high. Those they sent me were coarse for that price. I shall not want them before the girls are coming home. by that time I will mention other things I want you to select for me. Monday Morn Many annoyances this morning they began last night when [William] hears of it he will say "I have all along said those fluid lamps are dangerous things" but in this case, as in every other that I have ever heard of all blame rested on the one handling it. I was very nervous & would not go to bed. [Floyd] was asleep as also [Filla?] & [Annie]. I found the two lamps in my room had neither of them an extinguisher was too lazy to go down for them myself- did not like to make either of the girls get up as they have had colds. I hated the idea of losing one or two cents worth of Fluid - So I thought to empty one into the other & use my thimble to keep in the gas - Most foolishly I stood by your Fathers [beauro?]- on which were many letters not yet opened placed under your fathers cushion - My tucking comb which dear [Gev?] made over to me- the new box Homoepathic medicine & too many other little things ( you know I always keep my dressing table very much littered.) I could not see without a light to empty one lamp into the other so I took very wisely a paper box put the first top with wick very safely into it - but leaving it burning but propt up. then took out the other & more foolishly still placed it by the lighted one. both had long wicks both blazed up all among letters read & unread - had I been content to have brushed only these on to the oil cloth it would

have saved me much fright & trouble - but I swept every thing off lamps & all - all was in a blaze & may be I did not scream "fire - up jumped [Floyd] dragging in all his blankets & [cumfort?] [in pect?] on his [worsted?] stockings & had on drawers. As he came in the little girls had got up - they threw a bucket of water over the fire - which the blankets out would have extinguished more pleasantly for me. When all was extinguished - I had the trouble of mopping up the water - I at last concluded to send them all back to bed - [Fella?] began to [wheeze?] like a broken winged horse. gave her Jackson syrup. Then my dear [Floyd] began to sneeze I gave him Jackson syrup & another blanket. & this morning as yet - neither seem the worse for last nights frolic. At [two?] I thought I would try to sleep. then I heard a knocking at the flat & found [Flanders] was trying with all the men to get off the flat. I would have given much to the person who would advise him to go back to his bed & let the flat stay until next spring [t?]. I felt satisfied she would not get off. So I watched & watched - saw she had moved but still the lights were being moved about at two all had gone out. I then went to bed. At day light this morning [Peggy] came blowing into the room with "[Abagule]" wrapped in a blanket - she had fever last night & [Peggy] was afraid of the measles in the Hospital - I gave her some aconite & sent her into [Flora?]s room. Scarce had she gone when [Pussy] came to tell me little [Bucky] had a baby last night & to make matters worse [?...?] in the same clothes she has been wearing I believe ever since [Christiam] sickened - It is strange how perfectly careless negros are. And poor [Pussy] can now be but little depended on. Our dear [Butler] has increased his cold in some way. & feels badly this morning - I am glad he did not go out last night - had he done so I would have felt worse than I now do about it. Our work is exceedingly backward & that worries him very much - the weather has been so terribly cold & so much rain - the negros all with bad colds & many lazing up - & he wants experience & advice - & it worries him poor boy. After all I have told you, are you surprised I should be nervous this morning ?

All this you will say " after all is not so much " very true & thankful I am it is no worse. Had I brushed the lamps to me just in my loose night[sleep?] I probably would not have been in a condition to write to you this morning Could I have heard from your beloved Father & [Tip?] yesterday - was my poor [Appy] restored to health & to me & all of the rest of you at home - I would feel very different from what I now do - give each precious grandchild each sister [Lordy] & [cousin A] a fond kiss for me. My love to dear [William] and to [John Fraser]. I will add a line tomorrow Take care of your own precious health for your husband and children sake & for that of your affectionate mother.

AMKing

[1856?]

Savannah Tuesday Saturday Morning 16^th [Set?]

My own beloved Mother

I had no time to write you last night- as I had to take care of & put all the little ones to bed- as I had allowed [Becky] to go to the Circus as a reward for her good conduct- So I am up bright and early to tell you that thank God we are all quite well- [I?] went to see dear [Appy] as usual yesterday and she is now looking quite bright & more like herself than I have seen her since I came to Savannah - The Dr says she may [ride?] out in in a few days and she will come & spend the day with me - I had a letter from dear [Mal] yesterday he was guite well & had written to you - I hope you heard from dearest father

by the last mail - I wish you that [Lord] had a letter from him - Oh Thank God we are as far as I know all well - Oh Mother - What an escape you had from a [parfull?] death I turn cold and sick when [?] I think of it - Oh my Mother My own darling Mother when will you ever learn to take more care of your priceless self I [?l] my heart swell with gratitude to God for this his great Mercy to us all in saving you from such danger- Oh that I may ever be able to thank him enough -

The girls speak of [?ing?] a week from to day I hope for your sake that they may be able to do so - but indeed I shall miss them dreadfully - Dear Cousin [A]- sends you her love to you - she is far from well - has a yard full of sick negros & a house full of

strangers - two of her negros confined in three days - [Mr Troolley?] [?] you by the planter - and [Capt Bic? M?] - threw it on the river in coming back Thanks dearest Mother for [Y?] pants & my pocket hand [?shi?] I have time for no more - I have never writ lost one mail in writing to you since I have been here - & more am scrawling in such haste that I fear that you cant read it - All have join me in love & the little ones in more love & kisses than can be told or sent in [homely?] letters - good [by?] God bless & keep you from all harm - & Oh do be more careful my dear dear Mother of your precious self for the sake of your ever fondly attached children - Kiss my dearly loved [Be] & [Floyd] for me

& [beleive?] me as [?] your fondly devoted Child

[T?]