Elmira, Sept. 19/81.
Dear Ma—I was exceedingly glad you could not wait at the Dunkirk station, for it would have tired you out to sit there from half past 11 until [half] toward 3 o’clock, as I did.
I stopped over night with David Gray; then endured all sorts of delays & vexations on the road to Elmira (delayed by a freight train half an hour when within a mile of Elmira,) & arrived after 11 at night, more than 2 hours behind time. I was as tired as a girl. It took me two days ‸to‸ get rested again. If Livy & the children had been along, it would have been a trying business. Those are the most exasperating roads in the world to travel on. The trains seem to be always behindhand. Still, I’m coming to see you again when we are in this region, & every time we are in this region; & by & by they will finish that new road, & the time-tables will improve, & then Livy & the children will come with me.
The baby is a beauty—there is no question about that. Other pretty babies become mighty commonplace when they are brought into her presence; I could furnish you evidence outside the family to prove that. And everybody remarks her strong resemblance to [you. It] is a remark which has been made so often that it doesn’t attract attention any [more. Susie] offered some advice yesterday (through her aunt Sue, for she recognized the impropriety of presuming to advise her own mother.) It was, that Jean be not punished when she does wrong: then she will not know she has done worrong; & if she does not know she is doing wrong, she commits no [sin. She] was entirely serious about [it.
Livy] was determined to go to see you with me, but was absolutely debarred by the impossibility of arranging the nurse-business—which I explained to you. But we may hope to not have that difficulty in the way another [time]. She sends a great freight of love to you, & to all of you—as we all do. We are still expecting to start from here [tomorrow].
Affectionately
Sam.
Textual Commentary
Source text(s):Previous publication:
MTBus, 169–70.
Provenance:
See Mc Kinney Family Papers in Description of Provenance.
Emendations and textual notes:
half • [canceled with false descenders to hinder decipherment]
you. It • ~.— | ~
more. Susie • ~.— | ~
sin. She • ~.— | ~
it. [¶] Livy • ~.— | [¶] ~
time • time time [corrected miswriting]
tomorrow • to- | morrow
