Letter from Charlotte to Samuel Cowles, 1833 April 17.

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    Farmington April 17th 1833


    My Dear Brother


    After an interval of fourteen weeks, you may readily suppose that a letter from you was perused with more than ordinary pleasure; and although I think your apologies and excuses are satisfactory, yet I hope, that this is the last time you will neglect us so long.


    We thought our winter had left us about the middle of March, as it has been quite warm from that time till last week, but for a few days past, the cold has been extreme for this season. We are very happy to hear that you have not been troubled with colds this winter, but we have not been so much favored. Mrs Woodford has been absent four weeks, but has now returned. Mother has been sick about the same length of time, and as Mrs Woodford was gone most of that time, some part of the care devolved upon me. I say “apart” for my mother could not bear to give up the management of the family to me, and therefore did more than she was able; and she finally reduced herself so much that on fast-day she was obliged to take an emetic.


    Previous to her illness, pa left home for Providence, and was absent about a week. It was a most delightful time to travel.—You know pa’s fondness for flowers,—he saw some in Providence which he admired very much. Among others was the crocus, the first flower of the spring, as you will find in Harvey’s Meditations. I am as much of a reader as ever, but have not had much to do with novels yet. I do not suppose they are



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    very useful to any one; and I never intend to read many.--


    Rev Mr Cogswell, of Berlin, dined here last Sabbath. He says that all Uncle Ethan’s family are in Berlin, except himself and the two eldest daughters, who have gone on to Boston. The others expect to go in a short time. Isaac seems to be without any object in view. He likes to drive about, better than anything else; but that is not very profitable employment for a youth of nineteen.


    I dare say you anticipate a great deal of pleasure in coming home, but one disappointment awaits you. Henry Seymour has gone back to Auburn, so that you will lose the pleasure of seeing him. His mother could not bear the thought of having him out of business any longer, as he had already been here two months without doing any thing of importance. It is not probable that he will be at Farmington very soon. If he had not left his uncle, he might have come home at the appointed time, and perhaps, would have enjoyed himself more than he did now. But he did not reflect, and in a moment of excitement, he left the home of his employer, and a circle of friends. Now he reaps the reward of his folly; and doubtless many like disappointments will happen to him, before this instance of youthful rashness is forgotten. He at first said he never would return to a place where his character was lost, but pa finally persuaded him that it was not yet too late to regain the confidence of his friends in A[uburn] and that his future destiny might depend, in a great degree, on the step he now took. He could not resist such arguments as these, and on the eighth of April, he bade adieu to Farmington, and was borne away in the same stage which conveyed you from your early home.


    When you write again, I hope you will have ascertained

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    the time of your coming home; all Farmington seems to be anxious on the subject, and hardly a day passes without someone asking us “When is Samuel coming home”; to which we are obliged to reply that we do not know. But we shall know before long, by your appearance here. You cannot imagine what changes have taken place here in one year. They say I am almost as tall as my mother, and Mary is at least 3 inches higher than she was the last time you saw her. You may think that is a great story, but you may judge of the truth of it when you come home. And you, Mr Lewis says, have not grown much, but yet have altered a great deal. It would be no great misfortune if you should not grow much taller. I believe you will think I have stolen your freckles.


    Apples and nuts, I suppose, are pretty good yet. When I go into “the woods”, I shall not wish any one to send me nuts [as] I shall find plenty of butter-nuts on the ground. But w[hat] should do for apples, I cannot tell. It would be rather [missing] to do without them, as I have almost lived on them this winter.


    Mary is gone to school, and therefore cannot write to you this time. I am glad that my letters reach you so regularly, but, depend upon it, I shall not write again to you, unless something very extraordinary happens. I was also much pleased to see that you began your letter so near the top of the sheet. I suppose you expected I should profit by your example; but, really, I forgot all about it till I had written down the first page. -- And now I must exert all my powers of eloquence to persuade you to write soon. Do, if you have any compassion on us, not let a month pass without writing to


    Your affectionate sister,


    Charlotte



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    Oh! I forgot to tell you that we have got two first rate representatives Uncle Timothy and Col Wadsworth. Only think of that. The Jackson party felt rather down hearted. -- Excuse all this medley of nonsense, and again I beseech you to write soon.


    [perpendicular to the above paragraph]


    Mr. Samuel S. Cowles


    (Care of Rev. John Richards)


    Windsor.


    Vt.


    [Samuel Cowles’ annotation: Farmington Ct


    April 19th


    April 17. 1833]


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