Baltimore
Monday Morning Jan. 6th 1879
[1879/01/06]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I hope you have arrived safely & feel no great inconvenience from the trip. The weather was certainly very severe. I shall be anxious to hear some particulars of the funeral and especially of the manner & the cause of your good brother's death. [Charles Taylor Sherman ESF] I pity his daughters for the sudden blow is so hard to bear & Lizzie especially, as the youngest was so devoted to him. How is Cely Miles?
The weather is moderating here but the walking is dreadful. I saw Mr. Burch about quarters and shall write about terms between this & the 1st of March. I will speak soon to Miss Marcia for although we engaged only until the 1st of March they naturally hope we may remain longer. It is possible that in looking out for occupants of these rooms by that time they may find some one who would like them earlier in which case I will give them up and go over earlier if you wish it as now we would not be expected to receive. In the mean time we are very comfortable & happy here, the only fault being the high price they charge me & the extras when the girls come over.
Please have the Clerk direct the N. Y. Herald regularly to me. I wish you would get Sunday's Capitol & send me.
I came over with Post Master Tyler & I found a magnificent basket of flowers sent to me by Mrs. Shoemaker - I took the B. & O. pass - All send love -
As ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]
Jan. 10, 1879.
[1879/01/10]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I have this morning your letter about the money for the Bowmans. I sincerely hope it will soon be sent. I have not seen or heard any of them since my return from W.
The day you left for Cleaveland I said to you, as you were starting to the office, in the morning, that the time for which I had engaged boarding here would be up the first of March & that I meant to get cheaper boarding after that - You remarked "You had better all come over here" and I said I would do so. I spoke to Mr. Burch about another room and made up my mind that Rachel would be so intent on California preperations then she would not do much studying & for a month at least the girls could be together, Elly & Rachel. If I should take my trunks into your room & scatter my things about you would feel disconcerted & I would be greatly in your way, so I intended to have a room very near. If you think we had better not come we can stay on here & it is probably better that we should for a fortnight longer any how. Some time ago you told me to tell you what I thought we had better do next winter so as to all be together. I think we had better take a small or moderate & unpretending furnished house and get along in it very quietly and let the only entertainment be dinners to gentlemen given by yourself. If we keep quiet about it we can perhaps get the Vincent house on very reasonable terms for next winter. I am totally opposed to owning - either buying building or leasing a home in W- to rent from year to year is the only thing for us. Please let me know if this would meet your views at all.
I want you to tell me your reasons for even thinking of retiring and giving your place to Sheridan. I cannot advise on it until I know your reasons for entertaining the thought. Please tell me - I am glad the girls are going to have their southern trip and I am sure you will enjoy it. I hope you will come over to see us soon if it be only to spend a few hours.
As ever,
Ellen.
[EES]
112. St. Paul St. Baltimore
Jan. 28th 1879.
[1879/01/28]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I enclose an "Alsatian Bow" which Rachel sent to Elly at the Ebbitt House but which reached there too late. Please give it to her. Also a letter to dear Lizzie and one for her to read from Mr. J. A. Donohue at London.
I got everything out of the rooms & left them early in the afternoon of Saturday & found all well when I got here, but next morning Rachel was sick with sore throat fever aching in her limbs &c. The Doctor has been very wise in his treatment & today she is up with her wrapper on and between the rocking chair & lounge will get through the day out of bed, but she will miss her lessons until tomorrow & perhaps next day.
I sent the check to Mr. Bowman & have his receipt filed with the others. He offers another receipt, which I shall get. Mrs. Bowman writes the most grateful note & thanks Cumpy who really deserves great credit for being willing to give this up without a regret for he had prided himself upon it and as the saying is, "Set great store by it" - He is very well. All send best of love - and hope you will enjoy your journey "from Atlanta to the Sea" and all the rest of the way.
As ever yours
Ellen
[EES]
Baltimore.
Feb. 3rd 1879.
[1879/02/03]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I am glad to learn from the letters of Lizzie & Elly that you are all enjoying your trip. I sincerely hope you will continue to have only pleasure during it. We are getting on quietly as usual here. Rachel has quite recovered her health but she is not as strong as before her little attack. She & Cumpy were at the skating rink this afternoon & Cumpy says she could not skate as she did. We are having fine weather and she will go out every day & soon I hope be strong as ever. Cumpy gets on bravely.
I went to see Mrs. Bowman on Thursday last & found her looking very thin & pale. Mr. Bowman I fear is drinking a good deal but I am not certain that he is.
Tell Lizzie that Rachel's dress came home today & she is delighted with it. The dress maker fits her splendidly. She has written her Aunt Eliza that she will go over on Saturday to see her. Of course she will return in the evening & I shall probably go with her. I will write dear Lizzie & Elly tomorrow. I have been very busy today. Give my best regards to Col. Tourtelotte & to Genl & Mrs. Van Vliet.
Cumpy & Rachey send best of love to you & the girls.
As ever yours,
Ellen.
[EES]
I hope you will get to New Orleans earlier than the 29th as you state in the mem: left for me. Ash Wednesday is on the 26th of Feb. and that ends the Carnival - or rather the Carnival ends the night before & Church is paramount that day - The girls are anxious to be there at the Carnival. E-
Tell dear Elly we have enjoyed her letters very much.
Baltimore,
Feb. 10. 1879. Monday
[1879/02/10]
[WTS]
Dearest Cump, Rachel & I went to Washington on Saturday morning & returned in the afternoon. She had written her Aunt Eliza on Monday that we would be over but after getting to Charley's where a lunch was awaiting us I felt that I could not venture out by street car not knowing the route exactly & indeed not caring to take it without a carriage - I let Emily pilot Rachel there from whence she went to the Ebbitt House before going with me to the depot. Col. Bacon & Genl McCook came to Charley's to see me and dear little Mrs. McCook had gone to the Ebbitt supposing I would be there. Rachel is well as ever and Cumpy does indeed hold his own this winter. I am so doubtful about this reaching you that I shall write no more except to say that the oranges came in splendid order & are fully appreciated. The feathers came today. They are very pretty. With love to the dear girls & best regards to the rest of the party, as ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]
Baltimore.
Feb. 24th 1879 Monday Morning
[1879/02/24]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
You are in New Orleans today I presume and I hope that you are all enjoying it there. I addressed a letter yesterday to you at New Port Barracks enclosing the pass of B. & O. road. I wrote Elly about the invitation to the President's. I did not respond because I know they will not expect it since they know that you are absent & the invitation was addressed on both outer & inner envelope only to you. An invitation has been forwarded from Mr. & Madame de Zamaconne for the 24th - at 9. o'c. to "meet the Secy of State. 1416 & 1418 K. St". - The card is addressed to General, Mrs. & the Misses Sherman - so I have responded by regrets.
Cumpy is perfectly well & enjoying his studies. Rachel is doing admirably & looking forward with excitement to the C. trip. With love to all the party
As ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]
The marmalade has just come.
No. 50. W. Madison St. Baltimore
March 8, 1879.
[1879/03/08]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
Rachel wishes to go over tomorrow (Sunday) evening, so please have Pat meet her at the Depot at 7. o'c. She will leave at the same time I left here last Wednesday - Elly knows - 6:10 or 6:30.
If you are willing dear Cump I would like to remain a week longer, or until the last of the week anyhow. I am very anxious to go over to Philadelphia one day & return the next and it will be a shorter trip from here & besides I do not wish it known. I know you will think it foolish & of no use, but I am anxious to see a Physician there just once, to have him tell me if he can, the cause of my constant indisposition &c. &c. I do not propose to put myself under treatment. One particular Physician there has a remarkable faculty in making a diagnosis - like the Doctor in N. Y. to whom I finally took Minnie & who disippated our fears, & contradicted the statement of another Physician & said "she had no more womb disease than he had" and by relieving her mind did her a world of good. My anxiety is concerning my stomach & head and as Aunt Clark died at near my age of disease of the stomach & some of my relatives on Father's side died of trouble (sudden in the end) of the head I would like to have his opinion of me. If he tells me there is nothing - so much the better. He does not charge extravagant fees - I will go to his office only once - and I know a private boarding house where an acquaintance of mine boards where I can stop & the whole thing will be quiet and inexpensive. If you are willing please write me & I will go over Tuesday & return here Wednesday - I have visits to make here & by Saturday I could go to W-n. Do not say anything about my going to Philadelphia please -
I left the copy of Burns on the "what not" in the Alcove - The poem is titled "For a that and a that" - and begins "Is there for honest poverty, Wha hangs his head and a' that" - It may not be in that edition - Cumpy is well & enjoying himself wonderfully with his little companion.
As ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]
[Atlantic City]
23rd June [1879] Wednesday
[1879/06/23]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
Cumpy went into the surf again yesterday after a week's intermission and he slept well last night & seems no more asmatic therefore I may not go to Oakland. I think we shall have to keep the question open until the week passes over & we fully test the effect of this climate on him & on me.
I am in no haste for those bills to be paid. I was under the impression that I had paid for the silver cup at Galt's long ago but I suppose I did not.
I note what you say about Bob McComb but I feel no anxiety as he would not attempt shooting - it is not in his line. I am rejoiced that you have realised the fruitlessness of any effort to do him good.
All send love & will be very happy to see you on Saturday. No papers came to me yesterday.
As ever
Ellen
[EES]
Shelburne House Atlantic City
[June or July] [ 1879] Sunday Noon
[1879/06/00]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
We are quite disappointed that Rachel will not come before Tuesday. I hope you will come down soon as I am sure you will enjoy the bathing & driving. We are all very happy here. I want Pat to send down by Express the English edition of Miss Strickland's Lives of the Queens of England. Please have a Clerk do them up in plenty of paper & then address them & Pat will take them to the Express Office.
If Pat will take it to my friend in the Office it will come free.
I suppose you have heard of the dreadful accident to Nelly Reese.
Perhaps Emily may feel that she can afford to come down with Rachel. She can get good board in the house next to ours at $8 or $10. a week and a weeks bathing might be of great service to her. All send love & hope to see you here soon.
As ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]
Atlantic City,
[June or July 1879] Tuesday.
[1879/06/00]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
Rachel & Mrs. Morse have just arrived 5. p.m. and Rachel tells me that you did not hear the particulars of the accident to poor Nelly Reese. I supposed that you had heard full particulars. Ellen, Cox, Sis, & Jennie McNeil have all had letters describing it. She was riding when in being passed by wagons &c her horse was shoved into a ditch, threw her & fell on her. Her bone was broken just below the hip - the "thigh bone" they say. It has been set three times & she is now in a plaster caste & the Doctor says she will eventually be lame. Mr. Butler, to whom she is engaged, was with her at the time and he is now very devoted; sleep in the house and helps her Grand Mother in the care of her. Rachel & Mrs. Morse report the weather very warm, particularly on the trip today. We are disappointed that Miss Rapley did not come. Genl Tom Ewing is here & Charley is expected soon. Virginia is at an other but equally good house where the terms are a little less & accomodations for children are better.
I am distressed to learn that you were ill during a short time of your absence but Rachel says you are now perfectly well & that you will certainly be down.
I enclose some bills which I will ask you to pay whenever you are ready & charge to my account. How much will you give me for the carpets? I shall not want them before September but I would like to know how much you have estimated for them. The weather is pleasant here and the bathing fine.
All send best love.
As ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]
[Atlantic City]
July 18 '79 Friday noon
[1876/07/18]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
It is possible that I may have to leave here on account of Cumpy who has suffered more or less from asthma & catarrh ever since we came & who has had fever for two nights past & suffered very much. We will give it a good trial & if I find he does not improve I will probably go with him to Oakland, but I will let you know from day to day. His appetite has not failed & he keeps up a part of the day. He may be over it tomorrow & I shall write you in any event.
About the carpets. I rather dislike to have them bought with the Dept: carpets, for some malicious fellow like the Chief Clerk at St. Louis, may say that they were bought with Government money: the assertion would spread like poor Mrs. Williams Cabriolet and the truth never could overtake it or counteract it.
I would like to select them myself and I beleive they will give them to me at Stewart's on the same terms, if I cannot get them in W. on those terms. Rachel had a sick time yesterday but she is over it & is in the water now with entire party except Cumpy & myself.
As ever yours,
Ellen -
[EES]
[Oakland, Md.]
Aug. 4th 1879. Monday
[1879/08/04]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
Lizzie is writing the acknowledgement of the cards of the Parrots of Cal. I am distressed to hear of Mr. Casserly's ill health of mind & body but I hope he will recover. It has been a long time since I heard from them last.
I have had a return of my fever & begin to feel discouraged but shall do the best I can for myself. We have decided, with Mrs. Crooks full approbation to go to the other hotel. There are some conveniences there which we have not got here - the bath &c. and on other accounts the rest of the party are anxious to go, particularly Elly - indeed I perhaps ought not to name any one in particular as we are unanimous in the judgement. We will go over tomorrow evening when our week is up & Mr. Dailey has plenty of applicants to pounce upon the rooms we shall vacate. Cumpy is getting on nicely & enjoys his rides. He goes now with Elly & Mr. Thacara but when Mr. T. leaves he will be Elly's only escort. All send best of love - About the carpet bills I will arrange that they shall not be sent in until the 1st of November -
We have had a heavy rain this morning & the air is delicious. Mrs. Bacon has not left her room since Col. Bacon returned to Washington. She seems to me in a bad way - Do not have the Cin: Commercial sent any longer: I find I do not read it.
As ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]
[Oakland, Md.]
Aug. 8th '79 Friday
[1879/08/08]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
We had a heavy rain last night & today it is cool & pleasant so a party have gone on horseback to "Ft. Pendleton" about fifteen miles off. I think they do not expect to return before late afternoon. Cumpy Elly & Mr. Thacara were of the party. Lizzie seems rather indisposed to ride this Summer and has only been out once. They say Cumpy is a fine rider. He goes every day. He has had no cold & no asthma since we came here. Little John Bacon Jr. has been so ill that the Doctor staid all of night before last. I went over yesterday & found him very bad but the Dr. said he thought he would eventually recover. This morning he is better. I have gone five days now without fever & have hopes of escaping altogether. I had to take twenty five grains of quinine the last day to break the fever & I am loath to form a habit of taking such excessive stimulants. I have read up pretty well in regard to a medicine put forth by a Doctor who has a very large & prosperous health establishment in Buffalo N. Y. I am taking his remedy for malarial fever, which is an herb remedy. I hope it may releive me.
Please give Mary $10. and charge to my account. Her wages are $12. a month & her month is out the 12th but you have given her '2. already. I have no objection to advancing her a trifle more should she ask for it.
Minnie is anxious to see a Sunday paper of W. Will you not direct the Republic to her on Sundays? I like to see the Capitol & Lizzie likes the Herald so please send the Republic to Minnie -
As ever yours,
Ellen.
[EES]
Oakland Md.
9th Aug. '79 Saturday
[1879/08/09]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
Lizzie recieved your letter this morning with the 5 ct stamps enclosed, for which, & the newspaper maps many thanks. You sent a very liberal supply. I told Lizzie to ask for five 5ct stamps and a dozen paper maps would have been all sufficient. Neither can be had here. I send no papers regularly except Minnie once a week. I find that I care very little for the daily papers & some of the weekly papers that come to me I never read. The Monitor which comes from Cal. I never open. I wrote some time ago to the Editor saying that I feard I would be charged for it some day and as I had never subscribed I would request him to stop it. He wrote & requested me allow him to send me a complimentary copy, so it comes. We spend so much time in our reading of Green's recent book the history of the English people (Harper Bros: 1878) that I have time for very little besides.
Please get me from the Congressional Library an ancient work (probably late edition) The "Correspondence (or papers) of the Pasten family". We are anxious to have it here to read in connexion with this history. The Pastens wrote about the time of Henry 7th or the reign before.
The riding party enjoyed their day immensely. They found some members of Genl Dunn's family at Fort Pendleton. Cumpy is out doors all the time having found some pleasant playmates. All send love.
As ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]
Little John & Mrs. Bacon are both improving -
Oakland,
Aug. 14th 1879. Thursday Morning.
[1879/08/14]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
It has occurred to me that you may want the B. & O. pass & I therefore enclose it. I hope you will come here if only for a few days and take some rides and drives and enjoy the fresh air.
You have no doubt the explanation ere this of Rachel's ride which was no runaway & during which she did not lose control of her horse she says.
I think you can borrow money at less than 7 per cent. You can get it at 5 - By borrowing the $1000 and taking the Wire bonds and using the $500 for the carpets out of that you leave me to pay for the carpets out of the bonds. I will do that provided you give me the $1000 down & you pay the interest yourself - I will not want any of it until the 1st of Oct: by which time I will have the carpets purchased & during which month I shall go to Cin: Perhaps Warner will pay you by Oct. 1st, in which case I will give you the bonds at $950 - provided I do not have to buy the carpets.
As long as the girls have the diamonds & not even one was given to me I think I can sell my property and use the proceeds during my natural life for it is not desirable that children should have much left to them. The farther from riches & the gay & fashionable world they live the better for their souls & the easier to secure their final destiny the happiness of heaven -
I fear it is becoming unhealthy now in Washington & hope you will come out. I want to spend a week at Berkeley for the baths before I go home so I shall leave here about the 26th inst -
I hope your cold is better. All send love -
As ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]
P.S. After you & Rachel have been to Elmira I hope she will come to Berkely for a few days - At what time in Sept will you probably go to Kansas? Will you take Rachel?
Oakland
17, Aug. '79. Sunday
[1879/08/17]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
What sad news of poor Nellie Grant! and I fear it is true, that she is gone & her poor Mother and Father will never have the happiness of meeting her again on earth. I imagine success will lose its sweetness to him now - but perhaps not. I am sure I feel the strongest sympathy for them.
I am sorry you have bad weather for Warrenton but you & Col. Audenried will be great "belles" no matter what the weather.
I will trouble you to send me a draft for $20. when you are sending me the next money. Send one draft for $150 - besides the $20 draft - and the rest a certificate of deposit at Riggs - Of course I do not mean to hurry you - I will wait here for it and if it comes late I may spend only a day or two at Berkeley. You may possibly come out & we still hope you will. Do not put the work men down too low in their pay at the Smithsonian - We are out of 3ct W. Dp- stamped envelopes -
Col. Audenried said he would get for the Hd Q. Library Symond's History of the Renascance - I wish he would send us by mail the Vol. "The revival of Literature". Please send me one volume of the Spectator either from your library or Congressional. I will take good care of the Pasten Letters - Many thanks for the book -
Ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]
Oakland
Aug. 27 '79 Wednesday
[1879/08/27]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I am much obliged for the pleasure of reading Genl Stone's letter. I will return it tomorrow and the other letter with it. I had kept it to let Elly read it and it is seldom Elly is quiet long enough to read a letter. I think we had better get home by the 3rd or 4th. I wish to select the carpets & put down what carpets we have & get the house generally in order before I go to Cin: early in Oct. I also have to have dresses made for myself & Elly & Rachel & winter clothes attended to for Cump. Minnie now expresses some doubt about coming to us for the holidays so I hope she may come back with you & remain during the month of October. Her winter will not seem so long then and our disappointment will not be so great. Poor little Willy is broken down from asthma.
Cump when you are in Cin: it would be a great and gracious act in you to call on Archbishop Purcell and I hope you will do so. He would do anything to pay homage to you. The dear old man would have his unfortunate difficulties settled now but for the fact that the rich Catholics in New York lack sympathy with him because he was such a friend to the Government during the War - Many of them even chuckle over his troubles & say they are in punishment of his Union sentiments always so boldly advanced during the war & since.
As ever yours,
Ellen -
[EES]
Oakland.
[August 1879] Friday Morning
[1879/08/00]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I am very sorry that I forgot to replace the bath room key. Several times during Sis's visit I found that she had gone into her room leaving the outside door of the bath room locked & I therefore determined to keep the door leading into the front room locked & so removed the key. Before leaving this summer realising that you would be more comfortable in the front room I put the key in the door for your convenience. Last Monday night I slept in the back room and put Miss Eustace in the front room and therefore removed the key intending to replace it in the morning. I forgot to do so & forgot my beads which I have carried nearly fifteen years in my pocket without ever before forgetting them. The key is in the large space or centre place in my Secretary. Standing before the Secretary without opening anything you will find it to the extreme left of the space; it has a short white tape string on which I have written in black ink what key it is. I hope you will find it & not have any further annoyance about it. If there is anything else that annoys you or that you would like to have different I hope you will speak of it as I am anxious that you should have all the comfort & pleasure possible. We are all very comfortable here & I suppose we will remain until Sep. 1st when I shall get the house in trim for fall & winter. If you can give me $4. or 500 for the carpets & curtains or rather fitting of blinds & replenishing china I shall be very glad. I think perhaps you will enjoy giving giving a series of dinner parties & if you care to do so you would perhaps like to commence early in the fall with persons who are then in the City so as to leave more seats when the winter population comes in. By commencing in time you could get through with all whom you may wish to entertain before Spring. I could preside or not as you may prefer & the ladies could be in the parlor after the dinner each time - dinners of gentlemen of course.
We were very glad to get the little box this morning - an hour ago - Cumpy feels very well here and we are all quite happy. Do you think you will be down?
As ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]
Oakland
Aug. 1879 Monday Morning
[1879/08/00]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
After closing my letter yesterday I received yours of Saturday & the worsteds for which I am much obliged. Lizzie & I are distressed that you should be so tormented by those women & by Bob McComb. Mrs. Rodebaugh is an intolerable nuisance and I hope you will not let her come into your presence again. She is most presumptuous to come to you at all. I do not allow her to come near me. Poor Susan used to let her bother her to death. I beg you not to give Mrs. Morgan L. one cent not to keep her out of jail.- She would have more money if she were to spend less for whiskey. After worrying poor old Morgan L. into his grave she ought not to be permitted to torment you. Please do not give her one cent. As long as she has any hope of getting money she will come to you and the more you give her the more she will come.
Bob McComb will not get his head in the house when I get home - he is too dangerous. I am sorry you are troubled by them all. There is a sweet young lady dying in the house - of congestion of the lungs. Ours are very well and are all out this bright morning.
As ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]
P.S. There is to be a fair held in Cincinnati for Arch B'p Purcell in October. I would like to spend a few days in Cincinnati during that time and attend the fair if you have no objections - I am anxious to have Rachel have as full a wardrobe this winter as any of the others have had and to have her own company & moreover I want a handsome Christmas tree for Willy Fitch about which and on which I will have a useful present for every one. This may be my last Christmas & I want to make them all as happy as I can. Will you buy my Wire Works bonds - $1000? or will you buy my lot on Easton Ave - I do not know exactly what I would take for that but I would give it to you much cheaper than to any one else - I shall want two or three hundred dollars for the Cin: trip if I take it. I am breaking down pretty fast & I shall not many years be able to take trips even if I should live many years. I will give you my $1000 - bonds for $950 - cash down for my own exclusive use - or $500 - down & $450 - in different sums later.
I wish to pay that compliment & kindness to the dear old Arch Bishop whose head is going down in sorrow to his grave - Let me know if you will do this - Ellen
Oakland
Aug. 1879 about 20th Tuesday Morning
[1879/08/20]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I was rejoiced to hear just now that the report is false of Nelly Grant's death. It seems it was the Mother in law and Mothers in law are decidedly below par now & so the poor woman will not be much lamented. If she have labored here for her eternal welfare she does not now care much for human praise or regret - indeed not in any case or wherever she may be - I am rejoiced for Nelly's own sake & for her Mother & Father whose sorrow I hated to think of -
Mary writes me that Fluger is not coming back. I have written her to learn certainly. Should he be really gone from the City, I would like you to speak to Phillips for me. Wormley can send him to you & Mary can let you know after she has been to Fluger's house. If Mary wants any money before Sep. 1st you can give her $12-
All send love - We will be home early perhaps the first of the month.
As ever yours,
Ellen.
[EES]
St. Louis
Dec. 17th, 1879.
[1879/12/17]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
Minnie has a bad cold and coughs a great deal. She has great pain at times but I think she will not be over her trouble for several days. So as I have to stay until after her 9th day I fear I shall be kept for some time - perhaps until after New Years. Willy brags of Washington and carries rather a high head here. He has gone today with his Father to the Wire Works. We have had moderate weather until today it is quite cold.
I went up yesterday to see Mag and found her calm and chatty, but rather sad. I hope dear Cump you will not allow yourself to be taxed for Mag's family. It is too much for you with four daughters of your own & your position to occupy to be drained in any such way as that. I do not know that you think of it, or that any one has suggested it to you but I do know that it wd be imposing too much upon you and upon your own children & that I would not consent or even quietly allow you to be taxed that way. Do not let others persuade you Cump, that I waste or give away your money. I do not. I have given away a good deal of mine but with one or two unimportant exceptions it has always been where I felt obliged to do it & when my judgement now convinces me I did right in doing it but I would not have spent my money had I not known that you would have and would save for your own children. You are beginning now to grow old, your daughters are young; you have done your share in your life in the care of others and now those of another generation or those who like John Sherman have one daughter where you have four ought to do in this case what may be necessary. Mag's Mother's home is open to her - the last of the grand children will be married in Jan: I am not willing that you should be taxed to help support another generation. As long as our money does not reach to supply me a carriage I cannot feel that you have it to spare to a Sister's grand children to be reared in a City should their Mother prefer it to a village. I left bills unpaid for quite a large sum & two months will not more than put me square & then comes Elly's outfit & wedding & I have not the money now as I had when Minnie was married to add $1200 - or my own to wedding expenses - True the wedding can be comparatively moderate but unless you have it like Miss Worden's with absolutely no one (but three brides maids & three groomsmen) you will find it must cost something and that something will be extra for the general household expenses will be heavy until after the wedding. To shut down on the children & have money for others would not be agreeable to you so I hope you will not let any one persuade you into the belief that you are bound to a third generation of the families that are not strictly your own - I hope you will feel that I have not written in any but a proper spirit towards you, for I believe I have only a true & proper one and I would that you also beleived it.
I am as ever Your affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
Dec. 26th 1879 Friday
[1879/12/26]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
We have been in such a torn up state today that I have not been able to write for an earlier mail. Minnie had a long seige of it, but she is getting on nicely now & the little girl is as plump & pretty as possible & perfectly healthy- a very fine child in every respect. The other children are well & were transported over the Christmas tree which made trouble enough but gave pleasure to us all. Tell the dear girls I will write tonight or in the morning. With love to Cumpy,
As ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]
P.S. The baby [Little Katie Fitch] from Christmas Day was born at 7 o'clock in the evening about 5 minutes earlier.
Dec. 28th, 1879. Sunday Night
[1879/12/28]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
Minnie is getting on nicely and the baby is a fine healthy child. I hope to start home Friday night or Saturday Morning, but I shall let you know in time after I have decided. Give my love to all and tell the girls I do not get half time enough to write. Minnie asks me to send best love. She is much gratified by your kind manifestation of interest. Mr. Fitch seems to be prospering wonderfully but it will take some time yet I presume to pay off indebtedness and realise on his labor. He is in fine spirits & says he will write. Tomorrow I start out to see my friends.
As ever yours,
Ellen.
[EES]
St. Louis
Dec. 30th 1879 Tuesday night
[1879/12/30]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I have your letter of the 28th (Sunday) in which you say Major Turner had called to go to Church with Rachel & that he said he had had a letter from Mrs. T. saying that Minnie was getting on as well as could be expected, & yet you had had no letter from me giving an account of her condition & of the baby. Now there is a mistake somewhere for Maj. Turner had not had that information from Mrs. Turner because Mrs. Turner did not hear of the baby's birth until Saturday noon & a letter could not have reached the Major by Sunday morning. The child was born Christmas night [Thursday] at 7. o'c. The next day was sleeting and cold beyond everything - the nurse had to leave Minnie & go to her own daughter who was taken very ill & I was shut up in Minnie's room until after twelve o'clock. Then I had the Christmas tree to take down in order to clean the parlor & had to pack away the things for another year and that took hours - I had to give much care to the children - we had our meals in the parlor - I have no table to write on but get my ink from one place, paper another &c. &c and then write on one of the little nest of tables which does not safely hold the ink stand. I found I simply could not get a letter written that day & the next day I could barely write a few lines to you. I could not ever send word to Mrs. Turner the day after the baby's birth, there is no one in the house who could go & I could not write to send by Messenger. On Saturday at noon when the girl took my message to Mrs. Turner about the baby she said she had just mailed a letter to the Maj. & had told him that she had heard nothing from Minnie. Now she is doing well, as I have written and I am anxious to get home. I will telegraph you when I am ready to start, or before so as to have my mail kept at home for me - I hope the girls & Cumpy are well. Willy Fitch has had a bad attack of asthma but is now better. The weather is bad so much sleet - As ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]