Mrs. C. H. Fassett
Granville Ohio
Dear
Mother
I have not had
the time
and inclination to write you at one and the same time since I received
your last letter until to day and now have interrupted the train of
thought so often that should abandon this entirely but that since
beginning it have thought that this was your birthday and will write
long enough to congratulate you on your continued good health and that
other days have been added, and may many more continue each one more
blessed than the preceding until the cup shall overflow and you have
nothing more to ask for. I can see you now in the littleoldRockingChair, (You haven’t thrown it away I hope) demurely sewing
and imagine you think where has gone my little boy Harris mischief and
all and it seems to me you ought to be doubly thankful that he has
passed away and left a man in his place even if he never has amounted
to much.
Begin page two.
I should so much like to be with you to day but it is
differently ordered and not in our power to change the decree. One
thing only do I fear in making you a visit home is you will not be
prepared to see me grown so old and with that age so little of
prosperity. But I’m H- still and will remain so prosper or
not and if others change why its no sign my affections-memory-all my
own proper self should not remain Green if the body does grow old Grey
& Wrinkled I did mean
to have made you a visit home this Winter but could not get away ergo,
I remain in Pacheco, though as soon as I can get away shall go and make
you the “grandevisite.”
Ann and Family all well. Hale came from San Francisco to
day
and Chittenden was in first rate health. We have the most delightful
weather here now you most ever saw, no rain or snow warm pleasant
sunshiny days and beautiful clear fine moonlight nights, need no fires
in the day time and only a little necessary in the evening. Who would
live in the frozen regions of the north when such a clime as this is
within their reach, but then home and true happiness is where the heart
is.
Begin page three.
I would write you what you might be interested in,
“Our business,” but that it is impossible to say
anything in relation to it that would interest you for the reason every
thing is so different here and impossible to give you an accurate idea
thereof unless you have first been here which not having been you need
not expect me to write thereof. Dick,
“my Newfoundland Dog” is lying at my feet wondering
what makes me sit still so long I am sure thats what he is thinking
about for he just now barked at me as much as to say Stop. He is a
wonderful Dog too, will carry a pail of water, go and get my hat, carry
the lantern nights, jump over a stick, sit up, speak, lead a horse,
hunt up, or go and get anything which it is possible for him to carry
or I ask him to go for, and takes a general interest in keeping every
thing of the animal Kingdom away from our premises. Of course he is my
favorite Dog. And then I wish you could see our
Horse weighs nine hundred, black as a coal
and can trot about as fast as any thing we come across here in this
country which is going pretty close to 3minutes, works any wheres and
hardly any body dares use him, so am not troubled with people wanting
to borrow him.
Begin page four (unlined).
This line is for all of the family
and Chittenden and I will make all of Johns advances good to him we
each send half of whatever you have from Chit but he being in S. F. can
only go from him which I hope you understand and are as well satisfied
as if it came in my name, and while we have anything you are always
welcome to it.
Remember me to
all enquiring friends, and my love to all of our own family, and please
write often to your affectionate Son.
H.H. Fassett
Written
vertically where an address could go after it is folded.
There
Mother,
Is not that letter now enough for once and
will you not give me a small credit mark therefor