The Fassett Letters -
Letter #14
Date: 11/13/1853
Place: Placerville
From: Ann
To: Jane
Placerville
Nov. 13th /53
Dear Jane,
Your letters are all duly rec and I am glad to get them.
But I have not time
to write half as many to you as I would like to. We have built a house
on the
hill near Mr. Harker’s, and have moved, so we are once more
under our own roof,
and not in debt for it either. We feel quite relieved to think we can
save that
20 and 30 dollars of monthly rent. we are on a high hill with a
beautiful
prospect in every direction. that is beautiful to any one that likes
mountain
scenery. We are in sight of the upper town, and part of the lower. Mary
Ann’s
is in sight & within call, and by going a few rods back of the
house, we
can look down a higher hill than you ever saw, right over the tops of
the
houses into – what? why Chit’s
shop – but take care, you
cant get down there, it is too steep. come around by this path on the
side of
the hill and take a gradual slope down. Now slowly, carefully, hold
back at
first, or you may find yourself going as Guy says “over heels
head” whack
against the house I moved out of day before yesterday. Now around the
corner of
the house, across the funniest little road you ever did see and here we
are at
the shop. Are you hungry? come in and eat some pie & cheese or
bread &
butter. here is mince, apple, currant, plum, & cranberry pies,
and here are
bottles of lemon and sasaparilla soda to wash it down with. Come, oh
pshaw! we
cant get in here, the table is full, & all are poking down
pies, as if they
never expected to see another. I declare they are all almost gone and I
made 37
yesterday. Never mind, here is Chit behind the counter weighing 4 or
500
dollars worth of gold dust, we will go look at it, push your way
through these
miners, they all know me, now crowd through this gang of Chinese that
are
trying to buy one dollars worth of cabbage for 2 bits, but go around
these
nasty dirty Indians. if you touch one of them you may carry home more
than you
want. see their black hair is white with them, crawling in every
direction,
besides if you look twice at them you wont want any supper. here is
Chit,
hearty as ever with a very important business face. he says
“how are you, glad
to see you, but aint time to chat now.” so we will go home. I
guess you
will think as Clara says “don’t it ache our legs
so” to climb this hill. here
close by the door is the spring we get our water from, soft, cold, and
clear,
always overflowing. Now if you are not too tired we will go to the top
of Coon
Hollow ridge (about a mile) and see the snowy mountains in one
direction and
the coast range in another. There we could see the sun rise, and set,
which is
something I have not seen since I have been here. Think of that will
you when
you are looking at it. I am now where I always wanted to be, among the
mountains. From my earliest recollections I longed
to travel and see the
mountains. I would listen to Father talking about them till I would
feel I must
see them, & wish I was a boy, for I thought if I was I would foot
it
there. Many an hour have I lain awake when a girl, trying to contrive
ways to
earn something to travel with. Can you wonder then, that I was willing
to leave
very dear friends at home and
come this long journey? Words can
never describe with what exulting, bounding
joy, I have gazed on
some of the beauties of nature. don’t laugh, but I have
actually felt sometimes
as if it was almost too much and my heart would burst with emotion. I
tell you
Jane, there are “idees” enough
in your poor sisters brain, dulI as you
and the rest may have thought her sometimes, but the trouble was to get
them
out. (and is yet.) But never have I seen anything
but what the
first thought was Oh! I would give anything, if Mother, Jane, and Sarah
were
only here to see it too. So dont think me too selfish. I loved the rest
of the
family just as much, but it always seemed that you three would enjoy it
more.
but what a letter. I have been carried away by my feelings and have not
written
what I intended. We are all very well. I mean Chit too. I am writing to
Uncle
George to day, and the mail closes to night so must hurry. Next mail
intend to
write to Mother Harris & Mr Case. I will send this to Father
and let them
read it because I have not time to write to them. Much, very much love
to all
friends. all write often. From one that loves you dearly.
Ann
[The following is upside down at the top of the first
page.]
Parker wont
even write some. he says I write
it all.