Providence, Jan. 11^th

 

Dear Father.

                        The long looked for letters have at last arrived. I suppose we were too anxious for them to come and that made the time seem longer. we began to expect them a week after you left us, as we did not think it would take longer than that for you to arrive at New Orleans. I am so glad you were not sick and that Erny stands it so well. I hope he will get along finely, and be much improved when he returns, if he is spared to do so. tell him we expect to hear from him when we do from you it will be a fine chance for him to improve in writing and composition. You say you have arrived at the famous city of New Orleans but that you have had no opportunity of judging of the merits of it perhaps you will, and then you must tell me all about it and other places that you may visit, for you know I am very fond of descriptions / as that was what made the last letter from San Francisco so very interesting. I had a Christmas present from there in the shape of the gentlemans visite that makes me think, Father dont lose the first opportunity to have yours taken as it is a great sorrow to us that we have not got any of you. please remember, have Erny's taken too. Oh! how does the Capt. look in his uniform very fine looking, of course and I suppose creates quite a sensation. Now look here father no more of your making fun about that singing, of course it was superb, but not so good as it was the next Sunday. every body said it was worth hearing, and Mr. Burlington said to me when I came out of church that I never sung finer in my life. but I am very much alarmed about my throat it is very bad I have had the same old ache for two weeks steady. what shall I do. bear it patiently and be satisfied I suppose. I saw Mr. Blodgett Sunday. he enquired for you sends his best res- / pects and hopes to hear from you soon. that writing case was his own present to you. he asked me if you found room to take it with you, and I told him yes. he was very glad as he wished to give you something to remember him by. he was very sorry that he did not see you when you went away but he was told that the Battalion would not move until later in the day. write to him soon wont you? I am getting along very well with my scholars. I have eight now two since you left, and expect two more, so you see I am doing very well, should like to do better. they are all smart, and for that I should be thankful as it reflects more credit on me if they advance rapidly. Louise is going to commence Monday if she will practise she will make a pretty good player. Maggie is out of her trade Wednesday, I believe, and is going to Jersey City next month. she needs rest very much, and I am very glad if the opportunity offers for a little recreation it would not do for her to confine herself to closely. All the family are well as usual except Frank his side has an awful sore upon it which takes his strength away.

 

You do not know how very nice Del is progressing in school. he was number 3 in his class and would have num 1 if he had not been absent. he is going in the first class very soon. I will send you his report at the end of the term. he sends you a letter with mine it is very short but he had not time to finish it to send with ours. tell Erny he must write to Del. Mrs Fants sends respects and would like you if you can to send her a Magnolia flower. Please ask Lieut. Bishop to fulfil the promise he made me the morning he left. Lad Lyons says the war will be ended in three months. what do you think of that. There is a fine report of the colored soldiers having a fight in New Orleans what a nice time they must have had. it is said that three of them were killed. /

 

I should think it was rather hard work to take care of them sometimes they are so unruly. The children say perhaps you will be kind enough to send them some of those very sweet oranges that you and Erny like so well. I do not think they would be rejected. But Father I must close as I have a lesson to give right away and I must attend to it. I will try and write a longer one next time. Oh! I forgot about that box you wished me to send as soon as you got settled I will try and send it with what ever else you need. please answer right away as we are very anxious. I wish you a very Happy New Year and that the next Merry Christmas I shall wish you with words at home and not be obliged to write it and send so far away. All send their love and a kiss and the earnest prayer of your daughter Linie is that you will return safe home to us once more. My best love to Erny. I will write to him soon.

 

Good Bye. Your loving daughter

Linie S. 

 

Mother sends her love to both you and Ernest and hopes you will soon return safe and sound to us.

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