The
Fassett Letters - Letter #43
Date: 1/31/58
Place:
On the ranch
From: Ann
To: Dear Friends at home
On
the Ranch Jan 31 /58.
Dear Friends at Home
Last night I dreamed of being at home
with you, but when morning came I
found myself far, far away. Little did I think when we parted that 6
long weary years would pass and we still be separated. but so it is and
we know that our heavenly Father orders all things for our good, though
we cannot see why it should be so. Parker mourns often because he
cannot send me home, but he is not to blame, and I try to be patient as
possible. but dont think I feel indifferent because I say so little
about it in my letters.
No day has ever passed in all these
years but you have been remembered, all the dear ones both the living
and the dead. By night and by day sleeping or waking my thoughts are of
home “my own dear native home.” The birthdays are
always remembered, today is sister Sarah’s. I cannot realize
that she has a home of her own and a ‘wee bairn’
toddling around after her. O these little ones how they twine around
our heart strings, brightening many a long day with their smiles.
Little Jane creeps and is trying to walk takes 3 or 4 steps alone. has
one tooth and is under foot in the way all the time. Parker is
ploughing and one of the boys drive the oxen for him so that I dont
have so much help in the house. they take turns in driving. he is
hurrying to get through and get away from here as we have no church, no
schools. we shall move somewhere as soon as the crop is in. dont know
where. will let know. send your letters to Chitt till you hear. I wrote
you in Nov and last of Dec. hope you rec them cannot write regular
every month, as my work is very hard about half the time have a hired
man to board for the Dr must do all my washing and every thing without
any help from P–, and must spare one of the boys all the
time, so you see there is enough to keep me busy. my health is better
than ever, it has been a winter in Cal or I could not do it.
Your
last letter was rec New Years morning. The Dr’s hired man had
went to town the night before, (took a letter from me to Chitt in which
I sent you a short one) and returned that morning before breakfast with
Mother’s enclosed in one from C–. I hurried the
breakfast on the table and while the rest eat feasted on the letter. I
was invited that day to one of the neighbors a stranger, friendly but
rough, went but could think of nothing but home all day, how I wished
to be with you that day. Chittenden wrote me that he did not envy you
the cold weather but would liked to have helped at the Thanksgiving
dinner. The 26 (Mother’s birthday) P– and Dwight
went to town with a load of hay. when they came home within screaming
distance D– called out “Mother 3 letters, 1 from
Uncle C–, 1 from Uncle H–, and one from Mr
Harker.” Do you remember how he used to run from the
postoffice in J with P– letters. All were well and in
Harris’s letter I found Mother’s and
John’s. Parker & I had a good laugh over your remarks
about H–’s Ambrotype, said all I could to keep him
from sending such a thing. he writes me that he will send you a smooth
faced one soon as he can shave without catching cold. Chittenden wears
whiskers on his cheeks that improve his looks very much, and now
Father, Mother, Brothers & Sisters do write as often and as
much as possible what is the reason Jane dont write a word. she
certainly ought to send a message to her namesake. when Mary gets
through writing to that
[Continued
upside down at the top of the page.]
‘fairhaired young
gentleman’ John speaks perhaps she will favor us with a line.
Willie must learn to write and send sister Ann a long letter.
[Inserted
upside down in the middle of the first page.]
Helen
Gregory sends much love to Jane.
[Inserted upside
down at the top of the first page.]
P– and
the children send love to all. They talk of you often, Sarah as much as
the rest. I asked Sarah what I should write for her, she said
“Tell Ganmama I is all nice to be kissed.” (She was
dressed in clean clothes.) P– talks of you often and would
like to see you all, but dont like to write. much very much love to all
from Ann.
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