Sarah Seabrook Mitchell Wylie to Louisa Wylie Boisen, 17 March 1881

Sara M. Wylie, Bloomington, Indiana to Mrs. Louisa Boisen, Cr. Prof. H. B. Boisen, Williamstown, Mass [on stationery from IndianaUniversity, Department of Physics and Chemistry, S. Brown Wylie, A.M., Assistant; small swatch of fabric pinned to first page.]

Bloomington, Ind.

March 17^th, 1881

My Dear Lou,

            I can not write a long letter tonight. Have only a little while to spend in letter writing. Baby is not sleepy yet and while he is busy drumming, I thought I would commence a letter to you. After I get him asleep I must sew! I received your note inclosed in Father’s letter. Wrote you a postal the same evening. Don’t, though I did send it, think you will be able to read it, so fear you’ll not have much satisfaction in receiving it. But I was in a hurry and so sent it. We are just through examinations and I am thankful! I agreed this year to do all the copying of the papers for Brown if he would give me the money. He get’s extra for it. If it is enough we or I will get me a set of dishes with it. If Brown is retained here, I do not doubt but what we will keep house next year. It is time; we have been married four years nearly and ought to be living entirely independent of all other human beings. But of course this is uncertain. There is only one thing I dislike about it, that is, to have Father and Mother up here alone; but I expect they will be glad to get rid of us, and Baby’s noise.

            We are having beautiful weather, that is warmer. Some days cloudy though, but some such sunny, clear and beautiful days that it seems almost impossible to stay in the house. Baby went out doors this week to play and the child was almost wild with delight. How he and Anton would enjoy it if they were together! He talks all the time about Anton’s coming (and I hope he will come) and you must not forget the drum as they are to have grand times drumming. Baby’s birthday was the 10^th of this month, three years old! It was on the same day that they took poor Aunt Addie’s remains away; so we didn’t do anything to celebrate his birthday. I suppose Mother or Father has written you about the arrangements made concerning Aunt Addie’s body. There was no sermon preached here, only short services conducted by Mr. Bowers and Mr. McNary. There were quite a number at the house during the morning. Mother had a letter from Annie Cornell this afternoon. She seems to take her mother’s death very hard. It seems that they missed some of Mother’s letters asking for them to come and telling how ill their mother was and Mother missed their letters asking if they should come. The storms have been so severe West and the mails so irregular. It was an extremely sad case. Dr. Speck and Dick felt very badly. It seems to me that there was so much misunderstanding about it all. But tis all over soon; and poor Aunt Addie is at rest. Annie was very grateful for all that had been done for her mother. Have you heard of Jenny Waldron’s death? So sad! I will send paper containing the account of it.

            I don’t know of any news of importance to write. I am waiting for you to come back to go out calling with me. Annie Ballentine called the other day. She seems to have fully decided to go on the tramp. She is very much pleased with her boarders. Mrs. Trimble is still here. Do not know how long she will remain. Mrs. Bollman has arrived. Mrs. McCalla has called on her and says she (Mrs. B) is intelligent, and rather pretty and young enough to be Mr. B’s granddaughter but alas! is deaf. Mr. Mc says that Mr. Bollman looks as if he washed his face now. “Becks” are fixing their new house, making some improvements. I hear that Mr. Adams is going to enlarge his house. What wonders a new wife will do!!!!! Well, I’ll stop my gossiping and discuss dress—the next wiser (?!) subject. The sample inclosed is a piece of my new bunting. I sent and got it of Cousin John (Indianapolis). It is 45 ct. per yd. It is very fine; much nicer than any I have seen here. I got black silk for trimming; only paid 85 ct per yd for silk and it is much nicer than the silk I paid a dollar for here. Now Lou, would you not rather have a bunting instead of alpaca? I would. I could send and get you one like mine (silk and all) for $9.65 or $10.00 counting the express. I wrote you I could not get Miss Faris. Shall I try Mrs. Harrold? Write right back, if you want her as her time is taken nearly as quick as Miss Faris. You know she (herself) does good work. Mrs. H. I mean. Anyway, write me immediately if you wish her. Mother was just in. She wants you to send Peter Henderson catalogue if you have it. They are having a little house built for Bob Anderson in the grove and he is to take care of every thing, so Mother will not have the trouble of a worthless boy. So mother wants a good garden. Wants to know if Dr. Dodd knows of any new kinds of seeds. Mother will write soon but is very busy now. She says for you to come now whenever are ready only let her know a while before coming.

            Love to Prof B and C from both of us and lots to you. I have tired you longer than I intended and must stop now. Good night.

            Your Aff. Sister, Sedie

How is Baby. Kiss her and Anton for me.

Please excuse writing &c, &c, hurried as usual.

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