Augusta County: Aurelia Halsey to John McCue, April
23, 1858
Summary:
John McCue's cousin, Aurelia Halsey, discusses local matters in Staunton and
mentions her recent bout with measles.
April 23, 1858
Staunton Female Institute
My own sweet cousin
I received your affectionate letter a few moment since and I now hasten to answer that long looked for epistle I am happy my dear cousin to say that your letter found me in much better spirits than when you left I feel almost as happy and contented as I ever did & have been convinced that my imagination was all nonsense and I have also been convinced of my sin in allowing myself to indulge in such wicked thoughts but I shall try to be better in future.
I was very sorry that Mr. McCue could not find time to come up to see me but he is very excusable for I expected at the time that he could not leave his business you must give my love to him and tell him that he must write to me. You asked me if I missed you much yes indeed that I do miss you I sometimes think that I cannot get along without you but I trust my sweet cousin that we will soon meet again and be happy once more.
I went to see Mrs Mcclung and enjoyed myself very much she would make me eat some
cake that she had they were very nice she said when Miss Mattie came she
intended to send for me to spend the day, I have also been invited twice over
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at Col Baldwins but I could not go the
first time on account of the weather and I was taken with the measles and I have
not been out of the house since I only wish you could have seen me my face was
as red and bumpy as possible & I was the ugliest mortal that you ever beheld the eruption has not left me yet but I
hope to be able to go down to school on monday I went down to the table
yesterday for the first time for two weeks you cannot imagine how glad I was to
get out of my room once more.
We have had nothing scarcely but rain ever since you left but the trees are all
blooming and every thing looks very fresh and pretty I often wish that I could
be at Pleasant Grove with
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you and the children and hear the birds
sing. you must give my ablest love to the boy and tell them to write to me you
must kiss the little baby X Lisa X [unclear: ] a great many times for me and tell
[unclear: ] that her cousin Aurelia wants to see her very badly too and I hope it
will not be long before I will have that pleasure.
You spoke dear cousin of my flat it did not make the slightest difference for I can with the greatest difficulty get along without it until you return. But my sweet cousin I must close give my best love & a great many kisses to dear Aunt Bet. you must excuse all mistakes for realy I am so sleepy that I scarcely know what I am writing. good night and good bye from your devoted little cousin
Aurelia
