Sunday evening Dec 15^th

Cousin Cinda

                                    I will write a A few lines & tell you of our misfortune or of Fathers mostly Last sunday eve I sat writing you as now I felt sad from some unknown cause, I could not write nor did not want to talk but the evening past off & we retired to rest, & at 10 minits past 2 oclock we were woke by the cry of Fire as soon as I jumped up I could see it was my Fathers House & just then my little Brother came running in just as he got out of his bed & said the house was all on fire our prentice Boy Boarded thar & he & Lewy slept together up stairs the boy was sick & woke up with a sore throat the flames were coming in to the Chamber & our folks were all asleep below but they woke in a hurry when the boys fell down theirs the fire was all over head in the the room where the wull was & the fire rageing so there was no putting it out they got out some few things that was in the parlor & too Bed rooms & all that was in the chamber Pantry & cellar was burnt up, Fathers little all swept away he had a great deal of provision enough of everything to last them all winter Mother lost all her dresses but three calico & one Saramety(sic) dress Leosa saved all of hers, Lewy lost all his pants & boots & all lost more or less of something Leosa worked 20 minits barefotted & nithing around her but her night clothes & a scirt & our Prentice worked untill every thing was out that could be got out without any thing on his feet he did not frize at his Losa froze hers considerable them ar very sore Mother is quite sick the fright & exposier was to much for her she has been feeble for 14 years & I am this will carry her off—Father & brother are at Jameses & Leosa & Lewy are with us We have not decided what to have them do as yet Father is getting so old that he cannot support a famaly & Jim is very much oposed to their going to keeping House I can see that father fails every day & his children will have to take care of him

 

he takes it very hard I feel so sorry for him but Oh; we know so little one night what will happen before morning it shows us so plain how vain it is to place our affections on worldly things our treashures call all be swept away in one night The reason I have not sent your letter I have waited to get the time to write to Mr Browning supposeing him at home but I received a letter form last week stating that his health has improved & that he had given up going home I have anticipated a great deal of pleasure in receiving a visit from you both & still hope to receive one from you soon—I hope our Army are now striking the final blow to this Rebelion as I have heard to day they are fighting now at Fredricksburgh I hope & pray that the life of your Husband may be spared, but we know not who will be among the fallen although I have never seen him I feel a great interest in faith & hope someday to become acquainted with him but I must close I cant write so any one can read it please excuse all mistakes & poor writintg for I have not yet got over the effects of the excitement a week ago, write soon as you receive this & axseept the love of your friend & cousin

                                                            Sarah J Glezen

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