“Pertater Valley” Sept 22^nd /61

            Dear “Uncle Ned”

                                                Fearing the consequences that might follow if I did not answer your kind letter sooner than I did the last one, I hasten to reply. Your letter found me house keeping not that I have committed matrimony I wouldn’t have you think! O no! I have been keeping house little more than a week for Harriett Carter to go to Concord N. H. her sister came down the first of Aug. went berrying sprained her ancle, took cold, and has got a scrofula swelling and has not walked for six weeks. the doctor thinks it will be some months before she can walk again, and Harriett has been and moved her furniture down to Bill [?]./

Dr Bickford has left town moved to Charlestown No 6 Main St. and Dr Herrick supplies his place. Warren Floyd has bought out deacon Ben, and works at his trade, and Nancy takes your place behind the counter, nice chance for her to treat her old sparks to maple shu-gar, salt fish, mouldy cheese, isn’t it. such being the tempting delicacies to be found at the salune this side of the Ocean House sitiuated by the beautiful stream called Concord river, you may have hearn tell on’t. Mr Farmer’s folks have had direct word from the hospital where Albert was carried that he died there Aug 10^th of mortification of his wounds received at Bull’s Run. Jim Cleland has jined the Orthodox church, he told me the other day that ‘Mitt’ talks of going to Lynn.—

 

I have been helping Harriett Carter some every week, for four or five weeks, and we have had work folks, so that Mother and I have/ not been able to visit at your house. I have not heard from them since I last wrote you, I wonder they have not been down. ?Has George come home yet, he wrote me he was coming Sept 7^th I hope we shall go up there soon. I am glad Eddie that you have not gone to war, not but what I think every one ought to be patriotic, when the country is in such commotion, but I think there are scamps and rogues that might as well be there as not, not that I approve of fighting, but something must be done to protect the union. As to when I shall come down to Charlestown I cannot say but I hope to in Oct. but my being away so much has put back some sewing that I suppose I shall have to help do that will cause me to put off coming just now. I wish to mercy I could come in this week, but I help Harriett this week. I am glad Charly still exists in this land of notions. I had some fearful apprehensions that he to might enlist/ and go to war during the excitement.—am real glad he did not, for he is to good a fellow to be shot. the sight of him would cure sore eyes! supposin mine were sore, for instance. ?Has your Aunt Lucy Ann recovered her health again. I have not made my long ago promised visit there, when I came down I was to go out to W. with C. but I don’t see as I shall get to the city, and much more find him; but I shall call upon you and we will have a feast of nonsence, and a life of soda and perhaps I may find the milk man”, as I am partial to milk and soda chefs.—

 

Mother is about as usual, sends her love, best wishes, says she will have some potatoes when nice rotten potatoes cooked only she hasn’t seen any this season, and a hen chowder made out of a rooster. I guess you’ll think I am never going to come to a Goodbye.

 

I hope to hear from you again soon, that is if you get this read before then. My love to all that would like the article. E.A.U.

 

Father says he would like to set his eyes on you again—

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