Harriet F. Randolph (Willis) to Mary Elizabeth Randolph Eppes
| Janry 22d [1829] |
Uncle William leaves us tomorrow, & I must steal a few minutes from him (though half afraid) to scratch you a line my dear E.—I have nothing very particular to say after all.—Mama’s cold has mended since you left, & her cough is not now very much increased by it. she misses you dreadfully, & would have been quite low spirited but for Uncle William’s arrival. as for myself, I do not know whether I miss you, or the children most—I cannot bear to pass the nursery door, & at night I am ready to die of lone. Lucy is a worse bedfellow than ever—actually shudders if I touch her—& you know how cold I am always. it is not very sentimental to place this among the “sorrows of Araminta,” but truely to have the blue devils all day, & freeze all night is a serious thing.
Papa has at last found a tenant. the Leuba’s have agreed to take the house whenever we leave it. so that is one difficulty settled. Mr Henri waited on us yesterday to make the arrangement, & right glad was I to see his ugly face.
Lelia Bradfute was married last night—an immense croud present, tho’ L. & I woud not honour them.—Mary Page went—& I believe enjoyd herself very much. she looked very sweet & pretty after she was dressed.—the bride shed a few tears but soon recovered herself sufficiently to entertain the company by her performance on the piano. as for Sam he kissed her so loud that it rang thro the room “like the smash of twenty plates,” & then proceeded to salute all the eight bridemaids, kissing one of them twice over.—the boy is surely daft as well as being a rowdy—“Tots” too, felt easy to kiss half the Ladies in the room—I have at last called on Mrs Morgan, & the fair stranger, Miss C., who is really uncommonly lovely without being very handsome. Mrs M. tells me Miss Lewis is worked to death in Princeton. she is obliged to give lessons from 9 to 3, & then from 5 to 7 every day! a woeful change from her last years habits. I am quite sorry for her.
Uncle W. has been very amiable since he came up, & we are excellent friends so far. he amuses me exceedingly. when you meet our friends in C. say every thing for me that is affectionate, particularly to cousin Beverly.
Kiss our precious children for me. no letter has yet arrived from Francis. if one should come to night we can send it on by Uncle Wm.God bless you my dear Love, ever your own faithful