Sarah Seabrook Mitchell Wylie to Louisa Wylie Boisen, 30 November 1884

Full Transcription (referenced quotes are bolded):

Seabrook Wylie, Philadelphia, Pa to Mrs. Louise W. Boisen, Care T. A. Wylie, Bloomington, Indiana

Philadelphia, Penn

Nov 30^th, 1884

My Dear Lou,

            Brown and Theo have just gone for the Dr. for poor little Sammie. He has been real sick all day, with quite a high fever, but just now it has gone down some and he is sleeping quietly. Sammie has not been well since we came. As for his old trouble the Dr. has relieved him wonderfully and he has no trouble in that way, but he seems to have fever a great [deal] and for the last three days a continuous fever. You know I am always anxious about my little ones, and you must make all allowance for this anxiety. But I feel blue about Sammie. I trust he will not be seriously sick. I have great faith in the Dr. He shows so much interest and is so kind. I will write postal by Wed. and let you all know how Sammie is, so don’t feel anxious about him. He wins everyone’s admiration where ever he goes and he is certainly a dear little fellow. He wishes each day for his Grandma and never forgets to say he is “Aunt Lou’s boy.” This is indeed a great change for the two boys. I don’t think Rebecca cares where she is as long as she gets enough to eat and I have to feed her, as I am not sufficient for her capacity. Theo goes quite often out with us and he is called a very patient good little boy, but neither one of my sons mind as they ought to and I am trying hard to make them exceedingly proper. But feel terribly discouraged sometime. I try not to get discouraged about anything tho. There are thousands having much more to discourage them than I have. I must say I believe in the free open country for children, but we were sent here, and trust all will end well and we will have no cause to mourn our coming. I like Philadelphia much. Would like to live here always if it were not for two things: The children—they have no place to play except on the side walk where they come in contact with children (as I have already seen) you do not wish them to associate with. Then Brown’s work is so very confining. He has not a day, but Sundays. And it seems so hard to see him kept so closely at work. Even Thanksgiving he had to go and stay until twelve. If I had help I could do better for my little ones and not make them such house plants, but that is impossible this year and we can only do our best. I think (after we are all settled) I can pull thro’ with my work and children. But I have to thank Aunt Lizzie for my start. She has been so good to us and helped us so much. She is here tonight but will spend more time, I think, with Miss W. as she is not at all well and Aunt Lizzie has been most of the time with me and but little with Miss W. I shall miss Aunt L so very much. After the gas is lighted it seems so long till Brown comes, and such a stillness notwithstanding the noise of the children and the noise on the street. You know I am not the bravest of the brave but I’ll have to bring myself to stand anything and meet whatever comes in my path—if it is a bear.

            9 P.M. Sammie seems better. His fever is not so high and he is sleeping nicely. The Dr. did not come but said he would call tomorrow. He sent powders for him. I’d hope he’ll be better soon.

            We were all at Uncle The’s Thanksgiving and enjoyed a splendid dinner and had a delightful time. They are all so kind and cordial, Aunt Jessie and all. We went at two and stayed until eight. Aunt Lizzie was with us. I like Lulu’s room mate so much. She is very pleasant. Jennie was at home. They all make a great deal of the children. It was funny to hear Sammie talk to “Uncle Pheodore.” Jennie thinks Baby has improved so much. Lulu thins she will be pretty. They always have much to say about you and your little ones, especially Mary. I believe I told you we had a nice evening and tea with Aunt Susan about two weeks ago. She is so sweet and pleasant and kind. I get along nicely with Mag. She is wonderfully strange, but just as kind hearted as she can be. She pets the children much. Has already given Sammie a little red knitted “fez.” He looks lovely in it. They are very pretty. Lulu gave Sammie a very pretty collar like that one of Mary’s that ties on with ribbon. Lulu comes quite often to see me and has taken the boys out walking. She is such good company. I am so glad when she comes.

            I was out with Aunt Susan and Maggie yesterday and got your things. Paid following: Legging, $1.00, hat, $1.00, Bustle, .75, tricks, .24, pins, .12. I do hope things will suit. They said this was the style cap worn by boys Anton’s age. They are later than the velvet or plush or more used. I got also chains for looping back the parlor curtains. I thought Mother needed these. I paid .75 cts (They were $1.25 but I got them for .75) and the hooks .30, making $1.05, as you see. I hope Mother will like them and think it all right for me to get them. They are for the red curtains. They line them with canton flannel. Tell Mother if she wishes this to send  a sample of shade and I’ll get it. About your dress, have basque (I don’t see any polynaise) full in back (basque). I saw one front made this way [sketch] that is vest put in and two rows of buttons as you see illustrated but no button holes seen and the lines running so [wide chevron with point down] are machine stitching. It was very pretty, but must be done nicely to look well. The buttons were black cloth covered, flat. The skirts are with double box plaits and a narrow plaiting at bottom, and an over skirt much plaited to lie in folds across front. Double box plaits seem to be “the go.” Basques are medium length as far as I can see, not so very short as used last winter. I don’t know as this will do you any good. You know I have so little time to notice dress as yet. If I had had more time yesterday I would have looked more thoroughly for you. I send samples of fringe that they say are used on the rugs made out of carpet raveling’s but I doubt it, as I don’t see how it would do. But I send it to Mother with your things and she can see what she thinks. I fear I can’t get it. Ask Annie Hill and ask her what she asked for and then perhaps I can do better. Every thing is so beautiful, but I can’t spend only for necessary things. I fear we can’t get parlor set, but a chair or so. I am sorry, but every thing counts up so, the kitchen things etc. We have to get bed for Aunt Lizzie yet. She has been sleeping with Theo and Sammie, and Reba with us and our beds are not larger than that new one of Mother’s. Sammie’s sickness adds too, you know. But I think I can make everything very comfortable. Shall work as hard as I can and that is all I can do now. Tell Father to keep either pistol, but be sure and send one (This house was tried not long ago.) Brown paid $3.50 for the large one and the little one he got long ago and paid $7.00. Let it go for what Mother paid Mr. Kates, or part of it. Send cradle net and little spread, Theo’s bank, Theo’s “Harpers” that have come since we left, and any thing else you see we have forgotten. Silver cup too. Our boxes have come. Everything safe. The only thing broken was the glass to Brown’s picture. Thank Mother so much for all she put in for me. I am always thinking of how kind you all were to us and I so often think of home, and am so glad when your letters come. We are crowded for room to store things. I have only three drawers and the little wash stand however so I’ll have to cover boxes as I can’t get anything else now. I forgot, my machine top was all broken to pieces but I hope Brown can mend it. There are several good closets but I’ll tell you another time about our home. The boxes just came last Friday and nothing is fixed. I hope you can read this, but I must go to bed. I was up till one last night and feel very tired tonight. You must excuse paper, ‘tis all I have convenient. I will try to finish tomorrow but tomorrow brings so much work!! I am compelled to write in a hurry, Lou and you must excuse all mistakes and writing. I want to write every week and my letters will be badly written I know.

            Monday morning: Sammie seems much better this morning. I feel encouraged about him. I just received your things from Wanamaker’s. I hope they will suit. Write how you liked them and how Mother liked chains. Will send them tomorrow by express in valise. If bustle is too large take lower row (even two) off, lower rows of plaiting. Tell Mother if she can spare some of those single shirts, I wish she would send them with things. She spoke of giving me some and I need them for Aunt Lizzie. Don’t send them unless she can conveniently spare them. Aunt Lizzie is going to Miss Maria’s. I do wish she did not have to go. I shall miss her so much. She just got a long letter from Aunt Em. We had just a little snow yesterday. Tell me all about the College and Mosses. You know how interested I am in it all. I haven’t any faith and not much pity for Miss G and am astonished she could even wish to see Bloomington again. I pitied Miss G at first but I can’t now. She is not an infant. I cannot see how any one can feel she is innocent. How can she allow any one to feel so! I should feel better in mind to confess all because all will come out some time. I feel she is indeed worse than we thought.

            I am sorry if Brown lost his place thro’ any thing I said. He was a great deal bolder in his talk in town against Dr. Moss than I ever was. Yet perhaps I did the wrong. But it has all been for the best I suppose.

            I am glad we are here now and giving this a trial. I don’t know as we will come back or there will be any thing to come to or any place for B, but Brown will always feel better satisfied to have tried this. By the end of the year we said till every thing better. I long to see you all.

            Give Mother my best love. I so often wish to talk to her. I feel many things she told me I have found true altho’ I thought she was mistaken. And I do get lonely when Brown is away, but I don’t let him know it. There will be a better time by and by.

            Dear Lou, write often. I love to get your good letters. Much love to Charlie. I will write to him. Much love to Father. My next letter will be to him, but it won’t be quite as long as this, tell him.

            Kisses for Anton and Marie. Love for Lizzie. Tell Liz I take milk on my oat meal now and am glad to get it.

            Your affectionate Sister

            Sedie

Theophilus Adam Wylie Family Correspondence, 1806 - 1930, (bulk 1850 - 1930), Collection 2005.003.2849, Wylie House Museum, Indiana University, Bloomington.