Letters from Alice Lucy (Stone) Curtis

Alice was the wife of John Sidney Curtis. Frank is their son. These letters are to her in-laws. She is addressing them via her son's relationship to them. They were written after she and her husband separated.

Punctuation and capitalization added to the best of my ability given the structure

Glenfield, Pa

Oct 19, 1885

Dear Grandmother

As I promised to write you, I will do so tonight. We left Hockingport one week ago last Wednesday morning. Went to Parkersburg on the Darves [steamboat?]. Went to the Windsor Hotel and stayed all night. Took the 7 o'clock train on the Ohio River Road next Morning and at 11 o'clock found myself at Wheeling. There we had to wait 2 hours for the train. Left at 1 o'clock and at 3:45 was at Pittsburgh. I had my trunk and satchel checked through. I went to the Baggage Room and hauled[sic] them up. Got a man to bring them and us over to the Allegheny passenger depot. Bought a ticket, boarded a train that was just starting for Glenfield and arrived all O.K. at Charles in time for supper. Now don't yo think I got along fine for a greeny? Frank was perfectly delighted with the trip and he was just as good as could be, he will never be of trouble. I cannont till just yet what I will do. I expect to remain here during the winter. Charles and his wife are just as good to us as I would ask any one to beI hope by the time I write again I will know what I am to do. I am going up to the City some day this week to look round a little

How is your health now grandmother? And grandfather, is he well? Frank speaks of you both every day and says he wishes he could gather Chestnuts at grandpa's. There is a small tree in the yard here but only a very chestnuts on it. I asked Ashley about that book she and we were talking about and he said you could have it. I left three more of mine at Libs for you. And grandmother Ruth's picture. Lev can get them any time he goes there. Is George still at Home? I hope will all keep wiell during the winter. You must not try to do so much.

I will close for this time by sending our love to all the family. Frank says "I send them all a kiss"

I shall be glad to hear from you at any time Grandmother, but if you don't feel like writing, have Lev or George will. By the way, have you got an answer from Mrs Gravis? Good by. Yours affectionately

Alice and Frank

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Addressed to: Mrs. E. W. Curtis, New England, West Va. Postmarked 27 Nov 85

Glenfield, Pa

Nov 26th 1885

Dear Grandfather, Grandma & Uncle Lev.

We received your letter and was very glad to hear from you. And to know that you all as well as usual. Yes it did surprise me to hear that Jane had left but I know you won’t be sorry. For my part I can’t see how you put up with her as long as you did. Have you another girl? Today is Thanksgiving. Grandfather do you remember where you took dinner one year ago today? If I were situated today as I were then, it seems to me this world could hold no happier woman. As it is I am heartsick and miserable. Eight months today since I saw hoc [Hockingport?], it seems an age to me. If eight months seems so interminable what will a lifetime be. Why can I not forget when remembereance only brings pain. If I have sinned I have also suffered.

You spoke of Jate being sick. I had heard nothing of it. I have not been down and do not know as I shall, Is George travelling for the same firm he was in the summer? Well, I will tell you what I am doing. I had thought I must not clerk in a store nor try to keep boarders, so he got a Piano and I am taking Music Lessons of one of the best Prof. in Pittsburg. He says I can make more money and make it easier teaching music than in any other way. I am working hard at it and do hope I can get up a good class in the Spring. It has been snowing here the past three days, but it melts almost as soon as it falls so there is only about two inches of snow yet.

Frank is well but is as homesick as can be. He talks about you all every day and says what he will do when he goes to Grandfather’s. Poor little dear, I do the best I can with him and for him.

Isn’t it too bad about the Vice President dying so suddenly. We received the news early this morning. How is your health Grandma any better than last Winter? Well I expect you had a nice Thanksgiving dinner so I will tell you what we had: Turkey and Cranberries with all other good things you could mention. I baked two kinds of pies and a pan of nice biscuits to help along. Our dried Corn is just splendid Grandmother. I will close by sending our love to all and hoping to hear from you soon.

Yours, Alice and Frank