Franklin County: E. to Edward McPherson, March 15,
1859
Summary:
E.'s letter to Edward McPherson metions Lizzie (not Lizzie Law) and her family,
Jane Boggs's impending death, and the unfortunate continuing presence of Van
Wycke in the Gettysburg church. E. also refers to a recent scandal in
Washington.
March 15th, 1859
Frederick
My Dear Edwd
Since I received your letter I suppose you have been to Washington, returned,
home & probably gone again, & I have not gone beyond good
intentions, in my desire to write to you. Sometime a weariness of body &
mind comes over me & then an effort of either is a burden, however the
will may be affected in the matter. We fear, you did not go to see Lizzie as in
the only letter she had written since, she said nothing about it. But she wrote
in a great hurry as usual & she genuinely leaves out much she intends to
say. [unclear: We] think any one with a
husband, a baby & a house ought to be excused from writing much
& often. I
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wish you could have paid her a visit as ([deleted: ] and incredible as it may seem) she has the name of being quite a
housekeeper. She takes great delight in it & she seems as happy as
possible. They are very hospitable & their young friends are a great
deal there -- & as for the little boy, he is considered by all as sweet,
sweeter, sweetest, & is the pet of the Town so you perceive what you
missed. No doubt, you were in Washington in the midst of the excitement caused
by that tragic affair in High life. I can scarcely think of it as a reality
& when I permit my mind to dwell upon it, I am overwhelmed with pity,
grief & shame. One of the parties has gone to his last account, with the
weight of all his crimes, the others, still within the reach of misery, as
regards another world; but as to this, separated by a cause worse than death.
Instead of [illeg.] recrimination, I feel as though all less guilty
ought to return thanks continually for that sustaining & preventing
grace which upholds them, in the midst of sin & folly. I do trust it
will prove a salutary lesson to society in Washington.
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Your cousin
can go down stairs again, but not yet able to go
out. The weather is too uncertain for delicate folks. I had a letter from Lizzie
Law last week. She seems to be as settled in her new house as though she had
been married for years. I hope the Cap. will not
keep her all to himself. Mr. Tyler has not been very well.-- He thinks of going
to the District next week to make arrangements for opening an office in
Washington. We have heard several times from Mittie. She is quite pleased with
Chicago. She told us in her last, of the failure of Mr. Kennedy who married
Libby McPherson, which I was very sorry to hear. Fanny McP. has been in Georgetown & Baltimore, for some time-- I
suppose she will soon be at home. The rest are well. Poor cousin Susan Boggs is
having anxious days & nights now on account of Jane, who the Dr. thinks
is declining-- She has been growing weaker since Jany & had no appetite to sustain her. But, her Ma says, she is
ripening for Heaven, & that is a comfort not granted to all. I have been
wanting to write to Kate for some time, but could not feel in the spirit for it.
I
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hope she & all are well. Do not let it be long before you
pay us the promised visit. It will not be good for you to stay at home &
feed your sorrow--. It is too dreary & desolate for you, while the
wounds are still fresh, when you are surrounded by every
thing, to remind you constantly of loved ones, now removed from your
hearth stone. Not that I wish you to forget either them, or the lessons designed
by Him [added: who called them] for your highest good
-- far from it -- I think you understand me. There is some talk of an extra
session -- if so I suppose you will have to take your seat. Mr. Tyler has been
reading recently & continuously with great pleasure "Noctes
[unclear: Ambrosian]" He sometimes bursts out in a loud laugh. Is
your Aunt still with you? Remember me to her, Mrs. McC, Maria Wilson &
others. Tell Mrs. [unclear: Gilliland] Nelly Ramsey's family are well
[illeg.]. Your cousin C- & Mr. T [illeg.] John
& myself in love to yours. I am so sorry Mr. Van Wycke does not leave.
Let us hear from & see you soon--
Yours as ever
E
