Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 3 (1876 - 1882)

Lt 14, 1882

White, W. C.; White, Mary

St. Helena, California

May 22, 1882

Portions of this letter are published in 2MR 250.

Dear Willie and Mary:

We are doing [as] well as could be expected. I slept well last night and am feeling better this morning. My cough is rather hard, but I am thankful that I am no worse than I am. 3LtMs, Lt 14, 1882, par. 1

I am feeling anxious to know how Mary is getting along. I feared she might be sick, poor Mary, while she has the care of the baby. I do not think your house should be made a hotel. I want them to come up here and recreate, for this is a picture of loveliness. 3LtMs, Lt 14, 1882, par. 2

Do you suppose little May would be poisoned with the poison oak? They have dug it out, but it is all around here. There is needed here a faithful young man who would do chores. I think Harper could be of real service here. 3LtMs, Lt 14, 1882, par. 3

Jenny and Sanford are blue, I tell you. I wish they were a little more courageous. They will get over this after awhile. 3LtMs, Lt 14, 1882, par. 4

Willie, when you come, bring me some lemons. I think, Willie, you could get secondhand mattresses and cheap bedsteads which would do for the tents. I hear no word from Healdsburg. If you do, please send to me at once, for I want to hear from them. I think when you come I will go down and then come back again. 3LtMs, Lt 14, 1882, par. 5

I sent for Brother Rice to be here when you are. I wish Waggoner could be here a day before he leaves for Oregon and see if we cannot go to work from a right basis and know just what shall be done. Atwood is willing to do anything and work under anyone. I think Rogers will go to building his house right away. Think he will feel more content. 3LtMs, Lt 14, 1882, par. 6

O, Willie, I am sick of these uneasy, discontented ones because they are not all settled and [don’t] know just what they are going to do. If Sanford does not take hold here cheerfully, he had better to go [to] Healdsburg and stay with me for a time. 3LtMs, Lt 14, 1882, par. 7

Do write me if you do not come at once. If you want anything more definite, let me know at once. 3LtMs, Lt 14, 1882, par. 8

Mother,