Sarah Seabrook Mitchell Wylie to Louisa Wylie Boisen, 13 August 1890

Seabrook M. Wylie, Bustleton, Penna to Mrs. Louise Boisen [Bloomington, Ind.]

Bustleton, Penna

Aug 13^th 1890

Dear Louise

            I am here waiting for orders, orders to move. Theo tells me Prof Strout is here now, so directly I expect I’ll be moving. I shall be so glad when I know just what and when and where. I have just had a talk with Prof Strout and he and his Father are going to drive to Water Gap (Lou, do write back and tell me just where Water Gap is. Of course apparently I know, but my knowledge I would like to rest on more solid foundation. Therefore, where is Water Gap?) While Prof is away, I am to open and read his letters (I could not keep from smiling, the thought came—“how interesting such an occupation might be!”) and answer what I can and mail circulars if written for. Then I am to make out “bill of fare” for each meal (won’t we live high!) and to order meal and so on. It isn’t much work, only I feel so timid. It is the responsibility and the family. Gen. Latters will be here, part of the time I will be alone. Won’t have much trouble then. I hope to do all right. Wish I had been in the business before so I need not worry so much.

            Lou, what do you think of my little babies? Aren’t they fine? I am so proud of the children. If they will always make me proud of them. Laurence had bad cold. I felt so worried about him. I do hope he is better. I had that little “outing” night dress made for him so he would not take cold on sleeper. It is so nice for night dresser and for everything. It is used for skirts, dresses, wrappers, blouses, etc. etc. Tell Mother it needs little lace on neck if she cares to put it there and it will be nice for him to put on when sick. (I hope he’ll never need it.) Lou, when Laurence has summer complaint or any sickness, I don’t dress him but put comforts in big rocker and put him in. Give him buttons etc and he will stay all day if someone is in room with him. He will stay in this better than bed when half sick. I make him feel he must, that that is part of the performance. It saves one’s nursing and amusing and it is so often better to keep them off of their feet. Don’t think I think you don’t know how to do, but I am so afraid you all will wait on children too much. How does Brown seem? I was afraid he would be sick, he worried so much and had so much to worry him. I feel so sorry I did not tell him that the clothing put in trunks last were not aired at all, quite damp. I hope they won’t be used till they get there. They all should be thoroughly aired. I have worried about it much. Brown’s dressing gown was put in half ripped. He was ripping it for me. Ask him if he don’t want it finished. I will send (as soon as I earn some $) a new lining. I want Mother to get Miss Hinds to turn it and make it all over nice for him this winter. It is so nice for him in his room winter evenings. I’ll get sateen or far nicer satin this time. The same plush will do I think. Then tell Mother pinned and marked are Brown’s winter flannels. Will she mend them and his socks in trunk. There are several pairs of summer drawers needing mending but I could not do all. If she is well enough (while Brown is there, he can do all necessary for children) could she mend them. Much I had to leave undone, especially for Brown and myself. I put several pairs of stockings in trunk, collection of years. They may not fit anyone now. In time they may fit Sam or Laurence. Those they are wearing are put in top of trunk, in smallest place in trunk.

[the rest of letter is written in margins and I may not have the order right.]

            The dress I sent Mary was remnant I got long time ago. Reba does not need it and it is enough for Mary—with blue and white stripe to put with it. Please accept it. With navy blue sailor hat and white band she would look sweet. I got Reba that sailor hat for general wear. I think she looks better in big one but this was only 25 and I had velvet and trimmed it my self. They are all the go, of course all prices too. I thought you could put the white tips on the felt for winter when necessary. I’ll make Reba a dress out of old black cashmere when needed. I can make a cut one like hers trimmed with the velvet. Put old gold blouse. This will be for every day.

            Lou, please some one write, if only postal, every week, care St. Luke’s School.

            Lou, will you and Brown take the babies and have something taken of them. I have nothing to look at. Reba’s white is hers so put on the one trimmed with velvet and white blouse.

            I have here Reba’s white flannel. She never wore it for it wouldn’t stay clean in B.F. I made it longer and will send it when I work button holes with some other things she has unfinished. Will explain all when I send. So you see she will have enough. Laurence will need flannel dresses and gingham aprons. Don’t let Mother do for them. I want to try and earn money for them.

            I hope Father will come on with Brown. Don’t you think he can? Lou, don’t scold. I’ll tell you something very wrong and I know it but don’t censure me for this too much. Our babies have not said their prayers regularly. When I had boarders it was impossible. Then, since every circumstance has been against it. Please know I want them to and I want them to be good in every way. Their good and their future in all is all to me.

            Burn!!!

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