Providence sunday Aug 11^th 1864

 

            Dear Farther

                        this is the third time I have commenced to write to you. And I hope I shall finish Louise has just finished her letter and is getting ready to carry it down town so you must excuse me if this letter is short

 

            What is the matter with you and Ernest. are you sick or what is the reason. we have not heard from you for nearly four weeks. Farther is Ernest sick you said some time ago that he was not verry well. I am afraid he will never be strong if he does not take verry good care of him-self. get good warter to drink when you can and be carefull what kind of food you ate for a great many die this year for not being carefull. I shall send you the names of the killed and wounded of the fourth. they have had hard times in this last battle

 

            Tell Ernest to look out for a letter from me I am going to send him some collars if you / nead any tell me for I can make them in a verry few minuets. look at the collars I send Ernest and see how nice I can stich why it dont take any time to make a shirt

 

            Say Farther what are you going to send me for my birthday presant I shall be eighteen verry soon. a little over four weeks and I shall be Miss Simon. how old I shall feel have to put on long dresses then. one thing is sure I do feel old I have learnd so many lessons this last year some pretty bitter ones and some that will make me a better happier and wiser woman. you have learned a good many before this time

 

            Louise has told you about Liny and so for her I have nothing to say Who do you think has been here you would never gess Do you remember Mrs Arnold who used to work for you she has been here and wanted me to cut her a dress. I do not feel well and so I am not going to cut it. I have promised to cut her a pattern and hope it will set good. a fussy thing she is. something like liny

 

            Dont you think I have said about enough none-sence. What to talk about now is more than I can tell do you want me to talk about my self. I ges you would like to hear a little so hear it goes is I am getting along verry well with dress-makeing and like it pretty well. one thing is the reason I do not like it as well as I shall in time for I am verry ambitious and if every thing does not go just so I make me feel bad for a long time. I am looking forward to the time when I can earn enough money to give me the education I want. I have always longed for music and hope the time may come when I can have my taste gratified.

 

            Have you heard from Liny she has been away nearly a week and we have not heard from her. we are going to write and tell her to write when she gets ready. I shall have to tell you all about the famly Mother is well and so are all the old folks. george and frank are not verry well. Farther I wish you could see Franky some times. he is as smart as he can be and then again he will as cross as he can be / He is verry pale to day but better then he was yesterday. yesterday he had two verry bad fits

 

            Liny did not send you dels report so I will send it dont you think he gets along well. pretty good scholar in school I have not said any thing about liz she is well and is going to write so I will let her speak for her-self

 

Dont you think I am a queer writter my letter never sound good to me and the writting. I dont see how you can make it out. I am going to try and write more

 

            Farther tell me what you would like to have me do and then I will try will do some thing tell Ernest to remember my Birth-day, and I will remember his I must close as Louise wants to take it down to post                                               

 

Good by

                                                           

God take good care of you and Ernest, and bring you home to those that Love

 

your Daughter that loves you Loving Maggie

                                                your

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