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Mill Quarter January 25, 1864

Monday Morning

I know you have been scolding me dear Nina for not writing to

you long ago and so I would but I have been sick ever since the new

year began, in bed for two days, which you know is a long time for me, and

went down stairs yesterday for the first time for more than two weeks. I have

had severe threatening of typhoid fever, so Dr. Skelton who attended me

for two weeks says, together with one of my worst coughs, but I think I

must have had the fever, though lightly for I can't think a threatening

would have left me so weak. It is with difficulty I can write today, so

you must not expect a long letter. You must not be uneasy about me though

for I am getting well. They all tell me my complexion is so much better than it was

before I was sick and I certainly have a much better appetite than I had before.

I feel as if I should be better than I have been for a long time. They have all

been exceedingly kind to me here. And I have been here now going on five weeks.

I should be exceedingly disturbed at being away from my school so long

but that the children servants at Dr. H's have all had the measles

and Mrs. Hobson's mother old Mrs. Bullock has been at the point of death

for the last two weeks, so I could not have done much if I had been

well. My cough has left me almost entirely. I hope you have gotten over yours

as well, it seems frolicking does not agree with us very well. I am glad you

had such a pleasant time Xmas, but I was so disappointed that none of us

could get over to see Ma and Mrs. Booker. Just think Mrs. Booker went to

the Depot for me Thursday and Xmas day both and did not get back until

dark either day. I had a delightful time Xmas. Fannie and I went to two

parties with Capt. Harris and [?] Blackford as our attendants and en

joyed them very much. I made a great many acquaintances among the

ladies who go to our church, which was what I principally wanted to do.

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I met a good many of Father's friends too who were very kind and cordial

to me, particularly Mrs. [Cocke?] and Mr. and Mrs. [Michanx?]. I should like

to write you a full account of it but I don't feel as if I had the strength.

I wrote a long account to Pa just the night before I went to bed

for good with a high fever on me and asked him to send it to sister

so if you have any curiosity on the subject you had better get that

letter. I thought then I would write to you the next day but

have been too sick ever since. I send you a [band?] for a Xmas gift - I

hope it will not be too late. If I can't get the [?] bands in this I

will send them in the next letter. You will have to [?] it at the top

yourself with small round [?]. I would have done it for you

but for my sickness. I am getting very anxious Nina upon the subject

of that cotton at Rouse's did you succeed in getting it and if so how can

I get some of it. Where is A? I want 12 yards to make night gowns. I am

sleeping in brilliant ones this winter and they are splitting all over so

next summer I shall have to sleep in the [unbleached?] and often. Let me

know about this at once please. Cousin Emily [...] money of mine

you know she could pay for it for me. I am glad you got your

ivory medallions set. I have been wearing mine this Xmas, but I

just set them myself, [tied?] the hooks and pin on and no one would

have known it. I expect to go back to Blenheim the last of this week

so you must write to me very soon. I am so tired I can scarcely make

a stroke so I must stop. God bless you my darling sister.

Your loving sister

Hattie

Have I sent you all the [?] bands you want I for

get if not let me know and if you have too many bands send

to sister.