|
Letter written in 1888 from, Melissa Brizzee Macdonald (Henry & Ann’s oldest daughter) to, Ann Long Didsbury Brizzee Apparently Melissa and her husband Heber were living in Taylor, NV, at the time; Heber was working at the Argus Mill.
Letter courtesy of, Roger Curnutt, Las Vegas, Nevada ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Taylor, Nevada Thursday Aft. Nov. 22, 1888 1
My Dear, Dear Mother:-
Your letter of the 7th came duly to hand several days ago, and you cannot know how - - - (?) and with what joy those lines from home were received by your “absent girl.” I have been somewhat negligent about writing the last week as I have been away from Taylor. We are now keeping house. I cooked my first meal this morning. Am very comfortably located. We occupy two rooms at present and I really enjoy being by myself after spending four weeks in a hotel. H. had everything prepared for my coming in the way of house cleaning and arranging things. I have not had to bother about such work.
2
We intend to remain at this place which is the Argus Mill (where H. is working) this winter and perhaps a while longer, and we do not care to get too permanently settled. I have a great bedroom set, and things to correspond, which is all the furniture we need. There are some very nice ladies living here, and the surroundings are quite pleasant. The weather is getting very cold and I presume I will dislike the wintry season very much before it is - - -with. I have to clothe myself very warmly now. I do not feel very nice any of the time and frequently have to lie down during the day. I do not seem to gain much strength, but I may feel better after having been here a while. I must admit and freely acknowledge that I get homesick every few days, but these
|
|
3
such feelings are only natural, are they not? It will be another day for me when I can wander over the old road to the dear old home again, and I hope any absence will not cause one to become less dear to you all than I have been. I think of each one of you every day of my life and fancy I an see you. Mother dear, I am happy as far as being married is concerned, but it is a great sorrow for me to be parted from you, and I cannot endure being parted from you very long. H. tells me I may get home next Spring or Summer. You asked me to tell you all about visiting with the folks in the city and of my Washington trip I presume ere this. Mary has given you some information regarding all those matters of interest. I hope or at least: I was greatly surprised
4
to learn of Mary’s arrival home for the last card I received from her she did not think she would return so soon. I hear from Martha Watson quite frequently. She writes me such kind letters and seems to take to me very much. Your letter and Arthur’s are the ones I have received since being here and I cannot think why it is that father and Lorana does (sic) not write to me. Every morning I go down where the stage stops to see if there is a letter from home, and without avail, I am repeatedly disappointed, and you cannot know how grieved I am. Mother dear write often to me, for word from you is so comforting to me and oh so dearly prized. Tell me all the Mesa news for I am just a trifle anxious to know the current.
5 Reports of the day in connection with that place and the people there. I hope you will go around and visit as much as you can with your friends. Do not confine yourself closely at home, but go whenever you feel like it, even if you have to neglect some of your work. Am pleased that you have a pleasant and an agreeable neighbor in lieu of our dear friend Mrs. Elder. Are they still living at (sic) the Mesa? Remember me to her always with love. I will write to Nellie and to Hattie soon, love to them both, and read my letters to Nellie if she cares to hear them. Whenever you see any of the Metz family, give them my kindest regards and tell I hope, though absent, I may still be remembered by them.
6
Yes Mother, I presume you will spend many lonely days, and wish you could see me, just as I shall, but we must be hopeful of some meeting and then, then how many good times we can spend together and talk of all that happens during a separation. Try and keep well, and be cheered in your hopes and spirits and know that your girl is thinking often of you. I must write a few lines to father and enclose with your letter. I cannot fail him on the letter questions if he does me(?), but I realize it is a task for him to write. Good bye my darling mother. May peace and joy attend thee ever, and think kindly of us, your children. Heber will write to you soon and he sends love to you all. Your loving daughter, M. Macdonald.
|