folder 03: 1830–1835

May 8th 1832

My dear Husband,

I have concluded that it is not improper nor sinful to break a bad resolution, have therefore determined to write to you notwithstanding my vow to the contrary - I scarcely know what to attribute your silence to - we have sent every day to the post office and for the last week I have felt a little downcast that there was no letter for me. I am unwilling to think it proceeds from a want of affection on your part so I have come to the conclusion that it is owing to irregularity of the mails. We returned today from [?] [?] viz ma - myself & the children. we stayed nearly a week. I did not enjoy myself so much as I expected owing to mama's indisposition she was quite sick for 3 or 4 days while there but I am now in hopes she is recu[?]ting---I received a letter from Bro-Richard about a week ago dated April 20th... your relations down in that section of the country were then well. Mothers health has improved considerably, she can ride to the Falls for preaching which you know is an evidence that she is better - Doct. Lewis, Sister C & J himself were busy fixing to go to Henry Lewis' wedding - he gives a ludicrous description of Sister C's hurry, bustle, & perplexity in which she was involved. he says Dossy comes on bravely at Cocoa [?] Says he goes there twice a week and stays four days at a time - Query - how many days does he stay at home? Mr. Billy Eaton gave a large party the 3rd of this month. his son who you know is just married - nearly all the young people from Warrenton were there. Ann reports they had fine times - agreeable company - good music - fine eating & drinking & so on & so forth - but the new married couple were not there, the bride was sick we heard with the scarlet fever - - - - - - Alfred was at that time at Mr. Hamilton's frolic - says he made a great run but there was not much fun to be seen

he started this evening to a party to be given at Sam Terry's tomorrow at which place he anticipated a great deal of pleasure - that eccentric being Doc - Diollon is still in [?] - he has been up here twice since you left - the first time he pulled a tooth for mama and the one for me which you advised (see what a dutiful wife) it hurt exceedingly - he took it out with an instrument but pulled mama's with his fingers tho hers was a larger tooth and a perfectly sound one. you will wonder why she had it extracted when she had so few; it was because the gum had left it and left the root expost that it ached for several days before she could be convinced that was the cause of it - the Dentist told her it was and she consented for him to pull it and she has not been troubled since. The second time he came up he filed my front teeth and plugged A[?] mine are much improved tho there is a considerable vacuum He told me while he was about it that my old man would not know me when he returned he was going to make me so pretty however you need not flatter yourself that you stole see a very great beauty - - - - I hear very often from the miners below. they are getting rich extremely fast. Tom was from there about 10 days ago he said that they made about $1000 in 7 days from one rocker - what do you think of that? - I hope when you return that you and Bro William will more thoroughly examine your mine. There may be wealth somewhere for us yet - there would be more comfort in obtaining it here than going to the Western wilds for it. Now my dear as I have touched upon the subject permiss me here to beg of you to weigh well the disadvantages as well as the advantages of that country if it would be best for you to listen as little as possible to that many fine tales that are told you but look about and judge for yourself for upon your decision in this matter depends our happiness in this