Richmond Mills. Oct 20.

Sunday eve.

 

My Dear Brother.

                                    I recd your letter yesterday, glad enough were we to hear from you again. I suppose you have Sam's letter by this time, which was written last monday saying that father was failing. he is very weak now, can't speak aloud, had and does suffer a great deal. He can't help himself at all. when his bed is made two men take him up, put him on the lounge. Cousin Philip has been here to-day and will stay to-night Cousin Wheeler has been here part of the day. Uncle Wheeler's John watched last night. Father thinks he can't have any one but Wheeler, Philip, John, and Mr. Barnard. they take their turns in coming, an all of them just as kind / and good as they can be. Mother is pretty well although she has a real hard time. father cant bear to have her out of sight hardly long enough to eat. I am afraid we shan't have him much longer to care for. you cant imagine how poor he is. does not take any nourishment but a little beef broth, and coffee. Doctor P. has given him stimulants for a long time.

 

            We have had a great deal of rain this month and to-day it has snowed most all day. when it didn't snow, it rained. Willie has shoveled snow off from all the steps this morning barefoot. thinks he shall get his sled out to-morrow. John took cold and was sick all last week, is a little better now. I guess he thinks he has got the diphtheria, but Dr. Paul says it is only a hard cold. his throat has been very sore. I have made mustard plasters for his throat and feet, sweat him and steamed him, and had a time of it, as well as he. Grove Mather's wife died last week with diphtheria, was sick / only a few days. Clarrisa and Philana have it now, and Persis. Clara was very sick they were very much alarmed about her. Dr. Doolittle called Dr. Paul in and he is doctoring her. she is getting better. Philalene and Persis were not so sick, both are getting better. Guy is quite unwell. Dr. Paul is doctoring him too. says he has the dropsy, but will be better if he takes care of himself.

 

Frances William & Pierpont are in town, Frances and Elizabeth were here yesterday to dinner

 

Aunt Eliza and William Willis were here a few days ago. they had been to Honeoye Falls helping Uncle Willis pack up their things. George and James Dixson have gone to Pike's Peak. George is in the same business that he has been in, and if he does well he will take his wife there. Cousin Phila and Mrs. Sleght sent Mort and Almeron a box last week. I took your hat and a little bag of cherries, then went to the P.O. read Sam's letter, brought them back again. I am knitting mittens now. want to knit you two pairs, if I can / We are going to send you something as soon as we can. if there is anything in particular that you want write and let us know. I put up some tomatoes and some other things to send to the hospital but I guess I will send them to you.

 

Mr Adams was here last week, said they had just sent Oscar some things, but would send again with us, read me Oscar's last letter but didnt know you had gone to Portsmouth. Mort Sleght wrote in every letter to have a fruitcake sent so his Mother sent him fruitcake and mince pies.

 

Wheeler got a bottle of medicine of Dr. Paul just like yours for Almerson and they sent him some flannel bandadges.

 

I think I should like some sweet potatoes. Mother says dip your slices of bread in cold water, then they wont absorb quite so much grease when you fry it.

Mrs Paul has been canning fruit and making pickles to send to some hospital, had thought she would send it to the 148^th Regt if she could, what is your hospital stewards name I suppose he would be the one to send too.

 

            Aunt Betsey expect Tom this week and Doctor expects Marion I suppose they are both at Anderson's

 

Willie goes to sunday school is in Harrison class. He went to a Sunday School picnic about two weeks ago. He tells Mother that is what makes him so good is going to that picnic. he wonders sometimes if Uncle Charlie has had any supper. he wears your old vest & cap most all the time. Doctor tells

 

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him his vest is not quite long enough. Good night.

                                                                                   

I have sent you one paper with a little peper in it & one with the map of Virginia

 

Esq. Morse moved to Le Roy last week.

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