Waterboro May 27^th 1860.

 

Dear Sister Lizzie:

                        After so long a time I find myself seated to answer your letter that I received a long time ago, I dont know when. This morning finds us for once, all well, but very, very lonsome; I have been thinking this morning that I never knew our dear father to be absent from home Sunday morn, and now it does seem so hard to think we never can have him here any more that I can hardely contain myself when I think of it. I suppose Paul wrote you the particulars of his sickness / and death; it must have been a heavy blow to you and Darling, I do not think because we are looking for death it comes any easier to us, I would rather my friends should die sudden than to linger along month after month and at last die. all one could do was to look on and see him die inch by inch, I tell you it was hard. Mother bears up her trouble much better than I thought she could, she keeps about her work just the same as ever. I am going to stay at home this summer, but I think now that I shall go to Boston in the fall, I am not always going to spend my days in Waterboro I want to see and know something of the world. Joseph & Paul are both in Boston, Paul is comming home and help the boys get the hay, they get along very well with the work. dont you think we have got / a new front yard, I tell you we look smart. How are you prospering on your farm? and how do you like house keeping? I would give all my old shoes if I could slip into your house some day. I saw Alvin yesterday they are all very well

 

We had a heavy frost a week ago to night it is feared it will kill many of the fruit blossoms. Two weeks ago yesterday Asbury Chadbourn died. he has been sick six years but his death was very sudden and unexpected he took cold a fever set in and he had not strength to baffle the disease. I must now close for I am getting tired of writing. Be sure and write often both of you

                                                           

From your affectionate sister

Mellie

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