Letters from Rachael Austin to Horace J. Austin

our trip the next day and it will not be so tiresome. There is a house full here tonight, added to those already spoken of is Luther's sister, husband and child and hired man, also a little boy that lives here, but they have lots of room.

Vermillion Thursday

Well we have got home and I have got the blues already - have had one cry, dont know how soon I shall have another.

If I had to live with Lucretia always I might just as well go to bed and stay there, for I should never expect to be well again, for if I feel badly it makes me sick.

We left Woodbury yesterday AM at 9 o'clock got to Elk Point at six, stayed all night, and got home at eleven. Amos was in town and took Josie home - she will be in tomorrow for the fair, this is the first day, tomorrow will be the last and best day.

Mr. and Mrs. Willard Stanley are here tonight, they came to the fair, but the hotel was so full they came here. Mrs. Cap. Stanly has got a little daughter. Mr. Walace and Miss Hays were married today, perhaps I will send you a paper, if I get it. I did not mean to send you these pencil scratches, but feel as if I must visit with Mrs Stanly so will not stop to copy it. please tell me if you will come home by Sioux Falls.

Woodbury Sept 26th

My Dear Boy

My Dearest Friend I wonder what you are doing this evening. How much I wish I might know that your leg was all right. I am thinking of you so much and wish you were at home with me. Josie and I were going home today but Woodfords would not let us go. Luther wanted to visit with us, so we stayed till tomorrow, he came from Sioux City yesterday afternoon. Conference closed yesterday. It may be that I never told you that the reason we selected this time to visit here was because Conference was to be held at Sioux City and we wanted to go. On sunday morning we listened to the deepest discourse I ever heard by Walden of Chicago; his tent was "The life that I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me".

Luther took Gertie Josie and I to his aunt's this morning where we stayed to dinner, then to his two married sisters, and married brother, through the vilage of Sargents Bluff, and back again to his fathers. I have just had a gay time and feel just as well almost as can be. this little visit has done me lots of good. We shall go as far as Elk Point tomorrow and finish and tell me the very day I think you will be home in about four weeks. O how I wish it were here now. my dear boy I do so much want to see you. mother sends her love.

I came this week. I would have written a postal but thought I would have time when I got to Sioux City, but did not and I know your generous heart will forgive your wife for what she could not help. I got to Sioux City late but in time to get some dinner and take the train. Tom Robinson had been to Vermillion a day or two and was just going home so had company to Elk Point and Mr. Will McVay of Yankton with his family were on their way to Ohio so I had company clear through to Chicago. I got here last night at half past nine, but had to change cars between Chicago and Delavan and I thought I did not have to before when I was with you, but it is not strange for when I depend on you for guidance I know nothing afterward. My trip from Vermillion here cost me $7.55, to Sioux City $1.45, dinner .50 Missouri Valley $2.65 - bus fare in Chicago .50 - from Chicago to Delavan $2.45 - I tried to get the room that I told you of where I could board myself but failed but I have got a very good

place and pay only $4.00 a week and as I think I will not stay longer than four weeks that will only be sixteen dollars and I thought it would be better than too look for others. I think I forgot to tell you that my tooth cost me $6.50 - my trip to Sioux CIty and back last week $2.90 hotel fare $2.50 - but the worst of all I got so tired of the ride on the car. I did not get so tired coming here as I did of that trip. I stayed all night last night at Mr. Haines they have three young men and two ladies from Boston visiting there so they had no room for me and I think I have got just as good a place as theirs could be where there is no quarreling. I have just learned that this letter will not go out till monday, so I will write more tomorrow.

Delavan Wis. July 30

My Dear Husband

It is now five days since I sent you a letter and I am sorry that circumstances were such that I could not. I intended to write a letter to you wednesday evening, but got news that the N. W. R.R. was running and it took all my time that evening and next morning to get ready for the train. I thought I must start as soon as thursday if

by next weeks issue of the paper will be advertized, and some one hired to do the work. what shall we do about it? Arthur got the lumber today for the walk south of the house and has gone to work, it is too wet to plow corn. I saw Hanson today he said he saw you. Roy is a pretty good boy. I told him what you said he seemed pleased that you remembered him. Arthur seems like more of a man than he did last summer. School will be out in two more days.

We are to have a grand big time of the "fourth".

Baby always has a kiss for papa - and we would all kiss him if he was here your own loving wife -

(continued from last) Wednesday morn

Well, I got a nice long letter night before last and I have been very happy ever since, for I had not expected to hear from you again for a month and it was a glad surprise and then you expressed some hope that you might make us a visit before the final return - then I got another letter last night. I had one all ready to send but did not get time to write any more.

Arthur had already got the new hires home. The bees ought to do well, for we feed them well, and there seems to be lots of bees - more have swarmed