February 9, 1865

February 9, 1865

 Letter from Sarah E. Andrews to James A. Andrews, February 9, 1865
Hudson, Wisconsin

Feb. 9, 1865

No. 50.

My Dear Brother Jimmie,

We have just received a letter from you, the sixty-third. It is not necessary to say how glad we were for you know that we are always pleased to get your letters.

It has been a very busy day indeed, it would probably interest you to know what we have been doing.

Last night Miss Mann came in and told us that the Stillwater Teachers and perhaps some of the Scholars were coming down today to visit the schools. Our Teachers thought that it would be pleasanter to have a dinner at the school-house than at the Hotel, and wanted to know if we would make the coffee. We told her we would.

Miss Mann wanted everything should go on like clock work. The dinner was to be ready precisely at twelve, she had appointed two girls to come over and get the coffee at that time. She was to send us word when they came, the company, so if they did not it would not be wasted. She thought if they did not come today they would tomorrow. This morning as soon as they sent us the coffee we went to work and browned it but received no word that they had come but supposed of course they had not, so we set down to our work. At twelve Permelia and Kittie came for the coffee. The people had come, were there at recess. The coffee was not even ground. We sent back word to Miss Mann how it was but we would have it ready as soon as we could make it. We had boiling water, and to work we went as hard as we could. We made it in the boiler and had it ready in 20 minutes. Miss Mann thought she would never do for a house-keeper, she was so forgetful. I thought her "clock work" was considerably out of repair. I saw her this afternoon, she wanted I should go over to school. I told her I had to write. She said, remember me to James, and tell him we are having a regular tearing down time Friday afternoon.

Mother and I have just been watching the people get started for Richmond. They did not go with a four horse team as they intended to. I suppose you want to know who went and who they went with. George Swazey (I don't know as I have spelled that name right) took Mollie Wright and one of the Wilcox girls. Nell and Fred were in the next sleigh with Mary Moffat and Kittie, they stopped for the other Wilcox girl, I rather think it was Permelia. Then came Emory with Ada and Libbie, and a gentleman and lady that I did not recognize. They sent an invitation up to Ceal. I don't know where they will find room for her, as they seemed to be crowded. Their cutters were not very large. They are having a splendid day for their ride. It will be fine coming home tonight, as it will be bright moonlight. I don't know how the sleighing is, but the roads are icy I presume.

We had a considerable rain last week, the day you said it was raining at Nashville. When it froze it made it very slippery. Viola
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Crowe was in here the other day. She was after a Latin book. She made quite a call but did not say anything about you until she got out into the hall and I had closed the door. She then inquired when we heard from Jimmie. I thought she did not care to have the rest of the family hear her.

Have you answered Ada's letter yet? She seems to think that those notes she has sent in my letters are letters and you ought to answer them. If you have not written to her I would write a note about as long as hers and send it to her in one of our letters, that is if you have received no others from her. Charlie came back yesterday. He saw Edward, and went up to Shakopee with him. He is in St. Paul Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. He is only on the road every other day. Charlie has come home just as determined to enlist as before he went away. I was in hopes that private letter you sent him would have influence upon him to keep him at home, for I imagined it told him he had better not enlist. He will not tell any of us what it was about. I suppose Ceal will come home tonight.

I told you more than a week ago that I was going to send you some papers but have neglected to do so. I'll try and get time to do up some today.

Write very soon, and very often to

Sister Sarah.

Remember me to the boys.