Family Letters: Ninth Letter from Sarah Wheeler Sanders to Lucy Amy Reed

 

Sarah Wheeler Sanders

Sunday Afternoon

My dear Lillie

    I have been thinking of writing you for some time but as you know I do not like writing letters and auntie and Jennie write so often I am glad to be excused. Your Christmas package came all right and we were quite satisfied. I like the shawl very much and I think it must have been a great deal of work and I thank you very much. It is fuller than the one you gave auntie and must have been more work.  The others have pleasure {ILLEGABLE] and wish to thank you. The boys neckties are very pretty and nice and also Jennies collarette. I hope that your box which we sent arrived all right and in [ILLEGABLE]

The box from Evanston came Christmas day. Jennie had a pretty white apron and  [ILLEGABLE] silken chiefs and the boys some handsome silk hand[ILLEGABLE] and D.J. a box of candy and a [ILLEGABLE] and myself a nice book. Charles Wright sent Jennie a check for 30 dollars for the family. We were remembered by several people with fruit and candy and even other things. Lotta Arnold gave us a  call last week and she is looking very well indeed and is [ILLEGABLE]. Her mother is feeble and failing I guess by what I hear. We had a letter from Albert a few days ago and he had a bad cold and was was staying home the family are all well. I think it would be nice for you to visit them while you are in Ohio. It would please Albert very much and R. would be glad to see and I think the children would like it very much. Life is uncertain and you may not have another as good an opportunity. I wish you would do so if you possibly can. 

You seem to think you may not stay long where you are I hope if you make a change that you will come this way and be nearer home. Auntie and I must soon pass away and I wish you could be near where we can see you after we dine not having any company for Xmas and it does not seem much as it used years ago.

I think Auntie is feeling quite comfortable these days but does not try to do much but is looking much then she was a few weeks ago. Jennie is Jennie is having some trouble with an [ILLEGABLE] with and her face is considerably swollen. It has been a very cold day and I have not been to church but David and the boys went.

 Lotta Arnold has just been in [ILLEGABLE] so well oh took time with the Warners and so came in for a few minutes. It is getting late and I must close.

All [ILLEGABLE]

With much love

S.W. Reed

Here is the scanned original.