Augusta County: L. (Letitia?) R. Smiley to Writer's
sister (Mary?), December 4, 1866
Summary:
Smiley discusses the health, activities, and weddings of friends, family, and
acquaintances.
Dec 4th 1866
A. F.
Seminary Staunton
My Dear Sister
I received my clothes yesterday evening by John but didn't have time to write so
I thought I would write today. I have gotten nearly well of my cold. I was very
much surprised to hear of Miss Tassie Houston's death, as I had not heard of her
sickness. Becca had a letter from home this morning, which said they were all
better but Miss Jane. It certainly must be a dreadful kind of fever. Miss Bettie
Loyle, Miss Agnes' neice died about two weeks ago. Grandma & Miss Agnes
were very much distressed about it. Mattie Tate came here yesterday as a
boarder. M[added: r][deleted: iss] Haddell
is going to Richmond to enter into business. I think she feels right sorry. We
have had a new boarder since you were here. Miss McGarrek,
from Pulaski. Becca wrote to her cousin M
rs
Dunlap to send for her Friday evening. Miss Mary told her she had better
write. Her father was down to see her Sat. I tell
you she was glad. We all went to the Episcopal church last Sunday night.
M[unclear: r. Jenkin] will preach on Friday night &
Saturday. We walked out to Capt Byers last Saturday
morning met M
r
Leckey there. Mary Dudley stayed all day. [unclear: Suslie]
Stephenson & I wouldn't stay but we had mighty work to get off from
Mattie. I believe M
r
McGauly is to be one of M
r
East's waiters. wonder who he will wait with. It sounds funny to say were going home week after next. it seems like Christmas
oughtn't to be here yet. I reckon its because we haven't
had any cold weather. Think Ean Fulton did have a rainy day sure enough for
wedding. why in the world didn't they both get married the same day. just two
troubles & expenses. Tell [unclear: Niza] she musn't laugh when
[page 2]
she gets married. I wish I
could go to some of their weddings. did you have much fun at Eme's wedding. How
is cousin Nancy Berry now? where will John & [unclear: Niza]
live? &c. What did the
thing
look like that day? & how did the
Jucen
enjoy herself? I dont think the glove pattern is
at home. I know I loaned it to Bettie Echard. & I dont think I could tell you how to trim the dress...I have seen some
trimmed [deleted: across the] with three rows of velvet across the
breast. then turned & go up to the seam on the shoulders. I dont know where I could get a pattern for the tails.
perhaps M
rs
Turk has the pattern like Lucy's, if you like them you can make them that
way. I have not thanked D
r
Spragins for my present yet. Miss Howard has given up having Geometry
examination before Christmas as we would have too much to[deleted: o]
think of at once. We will have our examination on Heaven Tuesday before the
Cantanta. I don't think braided bodies will do wear then, will send my white
body home and have it done up before that time. I reckon that will do. I expect
you will be right busy until after the wedding. I want to send this down to the
office now so it will go up tomorrow. I will look for you Sat. a little, bet you wont come through.
Your Sister
L R Smiley
