Columbia Feb 3, 1870

 

Dear sister,

                        I received your letter the same day that it was mailed, we were glad to hear that you were all so comfortable this winter, I shall try to answer your [faded, paper fold] much to do every day and have not made time for writing. Mother has been comfortable most of the time since you were here, excepting some sick days, although very feeble. Tues. she was taken with a hard pain in her side, hip and back, and finally it seemed to move into her stomach and it troubled her to breathe. she did not sit up much for 2 days today she is more comfortable, but quite weak and feeble, but I think the pain which is in her stomach will wear off and she will feel better soon 

 

I received a letter from Mary dated Jan 8, and have answered it, no one with her but Alfred the other 2 boys are in N Britain they were well she was having a hard cold aside from that she and A were enjoying themselves well. H[?]s family are well I hear, have not heard a word from H. I look for them when the sleighing comes, which is very scarce. I have not as yet been in a sleigh W went to Willimantic to day in a waggon not much snow only enough for them to get up their woodpile. As for Anna, and Elisabeth I hear nothing only what you saw in the paper which was astounding. he was living with them in the fall. I heard in the summer that Cleaveland did not treat her well, she told me once how his mother treated her while she lived there, and how she / tried to turn him Cleaveland against her Bill McClean fashion. I guess it went on, and I must think that her mother accomplished her purpose and that he has left Anna and E. to help themselves. I think of writing to them and make some enquiries. Cousin E Richardson has a son 2 weeks old and she is very low they feared she would not live out last night.

 

2 weeks ago cousin Tracy Loomis and his sister Anna Nobles from Michigan came and took dinner with us. Mrs Nobles wanted to see Mother once more, she has returned, she looks very much like her mother. Cousin Esther Babcocks husband is very low (will not live long) with the consumption.

 

Winslow is living at Capt Wrights this winter there is only 3 in the family they have their board gratis he talks of buying a farm, perhaps that one / we visited there, with Mr Avery and wife Deacon Fuller and wife Mr Holbrook and wife. her sister, she had every thing very nice. she will make a good farmers wife. she even makes butter and cheese and do any thing that any one can, her father urges them very hard to stay there. Mrs Collins was not out of bed yesterday sick with a hard cold. last night a peddlar called with a horse and cart and begged so hard to stay that we could not turn him off. he was sick this morning borrowed our waggon left his cart and went home to Mansfield. last week Eliza McCleans husband come and begged a lodging and horse keeping, he is out as life insurance agent. I guess he is doing well. So you see how every day is filled up with us. I have the same round to go every day. William is trying to cut wood and ties with Alonzo's help. he gets very tired and looks dragged down. Tues. I was 51 years old. Payson has been out of school a week not well and yet not very sick. Hubert came and went back last Thurs. the rest are well. I have scribbled this, I think in less than an hour and you must take it for what it is worth. we all send love to brother and G. and yourself

 

Yours truly H P Little

 

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brother [faded] ought not to be [faded] from home canvassing

 

he is too old [faded] he will get sick next and then it will not pay

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