Searching for Susan

Susan's one sided correspondence continues.

Danversport, Dec. 19th 1866 Wednesday eve.

My dear Edwin,

I have been sewing very busily all the evening & you perhaps will not expect a very long or an interesting letter; but I rather have a short one than none at all & I thought perhaps that would be the same with you & so I will write just a little to you tonight. I was so glad of your letter which did not reach me till this morning. I was real disappointed in not receiving it last evening. I had not been feeling very well & almost discouraged with the many things that need to be done & would have enjoyed it very much, but I knew you were not in fault. I retired about six o'clock & found myself this morning quite free from my headache & I have accomplished a good day's work.

I am glad you found things all right on your return home & hope by this time your brother has so far recovered as to relieve you from your extra duties. I am having my dressmaking done this week & that occupies my time pretty closely. I thank you for your friendly caution with regard to the sewing; but I find I must be very busy & even then I shall find it necessary to leave unfinished some which I would like to accomplish, in order to come to Acton when you are expecting me there to stay with you.

I suppose by this time the carpet has arrived & perhaps you have put it down also. I would like to come to Acton next week if you get the things from Lowell. At what time in the week will it be best to make my plan to come?

I had thought of spending a few days in Lynn, but can go there any time after coming from Acton.

Cousin Martha is with us; she came from Ipswich today. I think I must say good night for I am very tired & will finish in the morning. Mary sits by the fire & is sending all sorts of messages to you which I do not think best to write. She with Martha is taking care of our fire. I wish we might help them. Mary says she is going to write to you herself and then she can say as she pleases. All that hinders her is that she thinks you would be likely to show it to me. You will won't you? Well, dear Edwin once more good night.

Thursday morning.

Another pleasant day is before us judging from appearances. I hope you will have as nice weather tomorrow & next day. I think when I come to Acton I had better plan to meet you at noon, unless there are any things to be attended to in Boston, & will you please write me when it will be best for me to be there.

When am I to hear from you again? I should enjoy a letter Saturday, but perhaps it will not be convenient for you to write. If mailed Saturday morning I should not get it till Monday, should I?

The flowers were so pretty & I have been looking at the home where they grew & think it would be pleasant to be with them & help take care of them. I would enjoy the sleigh-ride very much. If pleasant tomorrow, you may think of me as entertaining Miss Breed, who has not been here yet. I must not take time to write more this morning. Hoping to hear from you, with much love dear Edwin, I am as ever your aff.

Susie