Margaret Wylie Mellette to Louisa Wylie Boisen, 21 May 1866

Maggie Wylie, Bloomington, Indiana to Miss Louisa M. Wylie, Princeton, Gibson Co, Indiana

Bloomington, Ind

May 21^st 1866

My dear Sister Lou

            I did not expect to write to you so soon again but I want to tell you not to forget to bring all the things you need: white dress and skirt sash and belt etc. If you come soon enough we will get you a nice white purse but if you put off till Saturday I don’t believe Mrs. H. will have time to get it done, so you must start on Wednesday. Lib is not going to have her dress trimmed, so her Mother says. But Lib says she is going to be dressed nicely for once in her life, so I don’t know how they will fix it. Mine is fixed with white satin ribbons. I would like it if we could be fixed alike. But hurry home for you will have to see about it. You may tell Martha B but tell her not to write it on any account for I don’t want it out, want people to think it’s a party until they get here. There will be more than I expected, more than I want, but it’s Pa’s wish and I give up to him. They have got hold of it out at the Dinsmore settlement but not the time, only very soon. I don’t know how it came. I will have 200 cards to send after and so all my friends can have one. O I do wish you were home. Come as soon as possible. I need your help, besides wanting to be with you as much as possible. We have not heard again from Uncle The. I think it’s so queer. I guess I will be down again commencement. Mrs. Small wants to give me a party. I am nearly done my things.

            A poor student is dying out at Robinson’s. He can’t get well and may already be dead. His sister came yesterday but he don’t know her. His name is Morgan from Nebraska.

            I wrote asking Parke to come on the 29 and want to write to Ballantine’s but hate some to do it on account of Lizzie’s death. You ask Dr. M and Aleck Small too I guess. I don’t know yet about Rob, but guess so. I will do as Arth says best. I know it would hurt him very much if he were not asked. I never have answered his letter. Laura McCoy is going this week to the water cure in New York. I have no time to write more just now. Love to all. Do you want your dress trimmed with white satin ribbons? If you do we will have to send for it. You must answer in person. You must come Wednesday or Thursday. The baker will make part of the cakes and the ice cream and will get oranges for us. I have been to town all morning and am tired out, not very well either. You could help me so much if you were only here. For the last time, come.

            Maggie Wylie

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