Marion Jan. 14^th 1861

           

Dear absent friend Nancie,

            I am somewhat surprised when I look at the date of your last letter and find it has so long remained unanswered nevertheless this evening in the solitude of the kitchen I will try and correct my failing on that score

 

            In the first place I am well. friends ditto. We are having what a Buckeye would call rather cold weather; at least I think they would were they on the prairies of Ill to night. The wind whistles around the corners of the house and enters every crevice without so much as by your leave. Yesterday morning at 8 oclock the thermometer stood 21 deg. below zero and I think this morning was about ditto. There is some snow on the ground but it is not very good sleighing. The winter has been very healthy so far I received a letter from Ohio to day I hear it is quite sickly around Portage.

 

            How did you spend the holidays this year / I stayed at home (Uncles) Christmas, and Christmas eve I went to a surprise over to my own home and a surprise it was our folks were all abed but father and he sat reading over a cold stove, but we soon had them routed out of their snug resting places and soon had a bright fire burning on the hearth. And as soon as we were comfortably warmed we went to work some with hammers some with pincers some with brooms and another with water to take up the carpet and dust and sweep the room. Then came tuning of fiddles and soon the merry dance commenced and a jolly time we had tripping the light fantastic until two oclock when some went home and others staid and had a social chat and sing till after three when all went home well suited with their Christmas dance. New Years I staid at home and did not go any where. I got a new dress for a New Years present. Mattie has been to one dance since but I have not I went / to a paper read last Saturday evening and our driver and another person got to racing horses and the first I knew I didn't know anything the sleigh tipped over and threw us out and I got my face pretty well scratched with the crust on the snow I struck my head on the sleigh seat and knocked me sensible for a few minutes (dont you think it would be well to try it again) nevertheless I was soon able to laugh as hard as any of them in fact I should have had to laugh if my neck had been broken I tell you there is lots of fun in getting tipped over if you only strike on the soft side of the ground What are you doing this winter going to school keeping school or playing lady I am playing Bridget this winter and I am getting most sick of it for it is to much like work. I hear that Martha M^cMillen has left the state of single blessedness with Dr Proctor may joy go with her I honor her choice dont you happy / Martha. I have just got a letter from Aunt Louisa but have not read it yet I want you to write all the news and all your joys and disappointments I have no news to write as I know of none that will interest you. I would like to see you out here and from the tone of some letters that comes out this way I dont know but I shall see you some time if I live long enough but I must close my writing for to night by wishing you plenty of sleigh rides with the best of company and please answer this soon as I long to hear from you I have got the tooth ache now for a few minutes so I will stop before I get cross. Now be sure and write. write all the news. I can read as long as you can write I will assure you now with love and best wishes I remain your ever true

 

write soon                                                                  

 

friend Ange Smith

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