Franklin County: E. to Edward
McPherson, February 4, 1857
Summary:
The writer of this letter to McPherson discusses the death of E. Wallace, and
inquires about the health of family members and friends.
February 4th 1857
Fredericksburg
My Dear Edward --
Your letter announcing your intention to go to Harrisburg next morning, did not
reach me until late on Wednesday evening of that week, & that,
containing the sad news of Dear E's death I received only yesterday afternoon.
It was what I expected to hear after getting your letter, & what I
looked for after seeing her in Harrisburg, yet I did not think it would come so
soon, even though her father thought her decline was rapid. It is a sad, sad
event to me; I have one friend less, with whom I often held sweet converse
& in whose society I have spent many pleasant & profitable
hours.
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The ties to Earth are rapidly lessening & the
"attractions of Heaven" increasing. I truly rejoice to hear, she did not suffer
more than was to be expected. I will be much obliged to you if you will write me
more particularly, when you have time, about her last days, & I am very
anxious to hear how Mr. & Mrs. Wallace are, under this [illeg.]
bereavement. However they will scarcely taste the bitterness of the cup, there
is so much sweetness mingled with it In her whole life as a daughter, &
a Christian, they have everything to comfort
them. Mr W. told me when there, that a more dutiful child he had never known. I
do hope his mind & body may be invigorated, for the sake of the dear
children, especially as Mrs. W seems so delicate. I wrote to Sarah after your
first letter & will do so again in a few days. I have not been very well
I am so susceptible of cold this winter, & my [unclear: throat]
has been a good deal affected. It has been very sore for some days & my
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cough tighter than it usually is. All have had colds more or
less. At the Dr.'s all are well but Nannie, who had been complaining, but I
suppose you know more about her feelings than I do. We are very glad to hear
Aunt was so much better & hope she may be permanently so though I fear
E's death will have an injurious effect on both, her & Uncle. We have
had intensely cold weather, indeed, it was quite a labor, the effort to keep comfortable. The high winds make it more
distressing. Lizzie has been enjoying the sleighing. Mr.
[unclear: Maulsby] talks of coming to town next week to board. Mrs. M.
is so dissatisfied with the country. My kind regards to Mrs. Taylor if in
Gettysburg, & love to Mrs. [unclear: McCrury] & all
friends. Our family join me in much love to each of yours.
Very affectionately yours
E
Do you not mourn over the melancholy end of Hugh
Miller?
Tell your Father I thought so much about him during the cold
months. I suppose he kept the stores in fine order all the time.
