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Identifier

jc18840224

Date

2-24-1884

Description

Will writes to Fannie about his life in Franklin. He tells her about storms, parties, and farm life.

Physical Description

Two pieces of unlined paper measuring 9.9" x 8" and one envelope measuring 5.4" x 3.1"

Rights

This material is in the public domain.

Publisher

Digitized by Forsyth Digital Collections.

Comments

For questions contact ScholarsRepository@fhsu.edu

Language

eng

Transcription

Princeton Ks - 2 / 24/ 84 My dear Fannie - This is a lovely day reminding one very much of spring & its rush of work - we enjoyed the ride home from church in places the roads are quite dusty. A day or two of such drying weather & we can start the plough. I bought a grey horse last week to work with Dolly & [illegible] on the breakes. We have not named him yet but think of calling him Baalbeck as Mark Twain did his because he was such a magnificent ruin Page 1 - top of paper at an 90 degree angle Please excuse my many mistakes. I find there several or more. Aunt Laura is gaining and hopes soon to be able to attend church. She sent love to Aunt Alice & family. [Left side of paper] The past two weeks have been alive with surprise parties. I only attended one. The girls went to three. One was a leap year party. The fair ones were splendid escorts & took the gentlemen out in style. Wednesday eve Prof Ford a fine Elocutionist from Bloomington Ill. Gives an entertainment in Princeton. We think of listening to him Tuesday eve our singing school commences. We have seven more lessons and will close with a grand concert. Can I have the pleasure of your company on that evening. Yours commenced Feb 15h & mailed the 16th came in [Right side of paper] due time & was read with pleasure. You are correct - if one fair damsel had asked me to take a sleigh ride, I should have said yes as quickly as the rules of etiquette would alow. We had the same weeks of ice that you did I guess every thing was lovely. The sleighing was good during the time. I went to town once in the sleigh & one evening five couples of us had an enjoyable ride. I recd the paper you sent - with Susies Duffey marriage - and thought I acknowledged it. We enjoy our new home very much. It is warm & comfortable. I did So much of the work myself that it seems more a part of me than I thought possible. I take so much pleasure in fixin up now that it is for myself. That I did not have where renting. Arthur has not recovered - he is better for a few days then is down for a day or two. He is talking medicine now that seems to be helping him & I hope will entirely cure him. When in Ill he did not feel like visiting anywhere. It required considerable coaxing to have him go to Chicago. What terrible floods they are having in Ohio & Ill. We can hardly realize [continued on page 4] the amount of suffering & destitution - as we could were we similarly situated - still we know it is bad enough and can sympathize clear down into our pockets. What terrible disasters we read of - of all kinds - what devastation followed in the wake of that cyclone in Georgia recently. The conviction is forced upon one that they are nowhere safe - I knew you would understand my feeling in regard to my health. I am not one bit afraid to write you. I have perfect confidence I wish you would tell me of yourself. What you are doing how you are etc. I'll not read it to the others. [Left side of paper] I suppose I ought not to work as hard as I do at times “ I can't help it though. I finished husking Friday “ I hope I shall not be as late again. There will be no rest before spring's work. I have three hundred bushels corn to haul to town eight or two loads of wood to cut & haul from here etc. I'll rest another minutes to make up. I am reading Nature's Serial Story by E. P. Rae in Harpers Monthly. According to that “ chicken hawks are a blessing rather than an injury to farmers. I suppose every thing was made for some grand purpose though it is hard to see it at times. [Right side of paper] I read of a man that would not have a snake killed upon his farm for they ate so many worms and insects that were injurious to crops. Mother says tell them we enjoy our new home very much & wishes you all could visit us here. A wish I heartily endorse. Affectionately yours Will P. S. If Dudley has any early new potatoes “ similar to those I got of him the last year I was on the Dodge place I wish he would send me a peck by express stating price & I will remit. I can't get any as good here and oblige William Mr. Leslie Watson Sycamore Miss F. C. Flinn De Kalb Ill. Cancellation stamp has Princeton Kans Feb 26 1884 Mr. Watson My brother Dudley wishes one to ask if you will please excuse his lesson this week as some interruptions and extra work make it impossible for him to learn it. Hopes to be prepared next week. Respectfully Fanny C. Flinn Part of a cancellation stamp can be seen - Feb 28 1884 Illinois

Letter written by William to Fannie Flinn

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