The Fassett Letters - Letter #48
One sheet of blue lined paper 7¾ x 9¾”

Date: 8/17/1858
Place: Pacheco
From: Ann [Fassett Germain]
To: Mother [Mrs. C. H. Fassett]
Pacheco  Aug 17.  /58.
Dear Mother.
                                  Harris just brought in and read to me, his letter for you. It put me so much in the humor of writing that I therw down my sewing and commenced. Shall I tell you what we are doing. Parker is unloading some hay he has just brought from the ranch for the boys. D– and G– are playing in the yard with some boys, riding wooden horses and lassoing each other for wild cattle. Clara and Nora sewing by me. Lida, Sarah, and Jane, playing at the door. Emily’s children and mine are hardly separated. Clara has made 6 sheets for Hale and H– at 25 cts each. (just half price) and is now making pillow-cases for them. Hale told her they would give her the money or their note when the work was done. She chose the money. She will spend the money for clothes. I did not know how to have her do it as I have so much sewing to do, but thought best to encourage her a little. She hems and sews over and over neatly, and can back-stitch very well, but I baste it all. makes one or two cases in a day. Harris wants her to hem a black silk neckkerchief when these are done. will give 25 cts. Parker feels quite proud of her calls her my sewing machine. he thinks she will make as smart a woman for work as her Aunt Jane. I hope and trust so too as she is active and easy to learn. but enough about her for this time. You will understand that it is only to let you know what she is. O dear I cant write, the little ones have come in and are having a “sunging” school as Lida calls it. D– has made the fire too, and I must help him get tea.


[Begin second side.]

Evening. Parker has threshed his crop and finds it a failure. It only pays the expenses, and gives him nothing for his labor. The season was bad, in this valley hundreds of acres were not worth cutting. Last winter he was in hopes to make something and even talked some, that it was possible for me to visit you this fall. But I did not anticipate. We have been so unfortunate about making money here. we have both worked hard, enconomized in every way but have not made our pile yet. I have never bought an article of jewelry or an expensive dress in the country. Ladies here dress so richly too. you never saw anything equal to it. Parker too has done all that man could do, never has bought what you would call a good suit of clothes. enough of this. Some young man from Galena went home the first of this month. I sent you Clara’s and Sarah’s pictures. write me what you think of them. You will see they were taken by a poor artist. we could not spare money enough to get good ones. was sorry to send them without frames. tried to get a gold dollar at the store to put in and send you to buy them but could not. Was very glad to get your letter. Your monthly one did not come mail before this. will try to write often as possible. know you will do the same. what is the matter of Jane. She dont write a line for months at a time. It puzzles me. P– and the children send love as usual. With much love and many warm wishes for the prosperity and happiness of all of you. I remain as ever.
                                                                      Your affectionate
Ann.


Dear Mary,
                   Many thanks for your receipts. was much gratified with your remembrance of me. would respectfully suggest, use good rich milk in room of water for your bread. It makes it nicer and more nourishing. I think it better to sponge at night and mix early as convenient. raising it too much takes out the sweetness, dont you think so, hope you will write often and send more receipts.

[Continued at bottom of page two upside down around the signature area.]

It seemed so strange today to have you write me about making bread.   You are still little Mary to sister   A.

[Coinuted upside down at top of page one.]

Give my best love to Sarah and tell to hold on to her. perhaps her turn will come after a while. Am trying to answer a letter Mrs Baers wrote me last spring. hadn’t I ought to be ashamed.

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