Wednesday March 22^d
My dearest Sister,
Your letter came last Saturday
evening and would you believe it, it remained unread
until the next morning. I was when it came suffer-
ing from an attack of sick headache rather more
violent than I have ever before experienced. I was
releived by vomiting and bathing my head and feet
but was unable to sit up before the next morning.
I hope Frances has recovered from her cold by this
time. I have thought of her many times. I find that
the least appearance of illness in those I love alarms
me much more than it did before the melancholy
experience of this winter – dear dear Nealy how
glad I am you can dream of her and think of
her as she was in the days of health and beauty.
Poor Seeley has gone to his long home after a protrac-
ted illness of many weeks - his sister has been
with him – his mother being a paralytic could
not come – he was yesterday carried to Geneva
to be buried. Julia Chase went with the
Sister. Mrs Chase still continues indisposed.
I have heard nothing from Mrs Beardsley since
Mrs Dean went home. Clary has been very
unwell two or three days. I think to day that
there is little doubt that she has the measels.
She was in at Judith's when Frances was first

taken sick – left the room as soon as she discovered it
that was about two weeks ago. Last Friday Clara
complained of having a very faint sick turn
while attending a lecture. Since then she has
had what we supposed a violent cold. Complained
of drowsiness – a severe pain in her back and bones
chills and considerable fever. This morning we
discovered a slight irruption on her face and neck
which increases. I have at length persuaded her
to send for Dr Smith – any one else would have
gone to bed sick three days ago. [ s ] he will not
give up yet though she is obliged to lie down
often. When the Dr comes I will write you what
he says. Freddy is so well that he goes down
to his meals and plays about the room as usual
he is pale and thin yet. I am afraid it will
be a long time before he recovers from the effects
of Dr Pitneys inordinate bleeding.
Dr Smith has just gone he does not exactly
know whether Clara has the measels or not
thinks he can tell tomorrow morning – she
is more and more sick but does not confine
herself to the bed. I think I will not send this
letter until tomorrow morning. Walter Cary came
this morning on his way home – he has gone to dine at
Horace Hills'. I received a ^letter^ from Henry on Monday
he thinks he will not return before the middle of
April – writes nothing new. You enquire about
Henry Smith. While Henry was at home in January
Dick applied to him to take his Henry a desk in the
Land Office. Henry told him he would if any vacancy

occurred. Som Soon after this Mr Lucas told
Henry that Mrs Smith had desired him to intercede
with Mr Seward to take Henry S. After Henry returned
to Westfield (two or three weeks) he wrote to H. Smith
telling him that he could employ him until the ^1st
of May but could make no engagement after that
time as there would probably be a great diminution
of business from that time. H. Smith called twice
to let me know he was going and to take a letter
he went about the time Freddy was taken sick
I suppose this is one reason why I never mentioned it.
Common report says that Henry's habits are none
of the most regular but Henry Seward says he
is very industrious and facile – it may be of service
to him in taking him from dissolute company.
Dr Smith made many enquiries about you.
Harriet Hughes has just returned from the east.
Sally ann died of consumption some weeks ago. [ h ] er
little boys are left to the guardianship of their Uncle[ , ]
Dr Farnsworth's brother [ , ] whom Harriet represents as
not more than half human. [ s ] he is very desirous
to place the children somewhere else but I should
think it doubtful whether she could accomplish this.
If you could have your Piano put in some secure
place we will send for it when the roads are
passable at present it would demolish it – has
not Mrs Wright any store room where it might be
kept. I know of no one else in Aurora to whom you
could apply with the hope of interesting them at all.
Thursday morning. The Dr has just left – he says there
is no doubt about Clara's having the measels – she is
quite sick to day – the pain in her back and bones
continues and her throat is sore – were you bled when
you had the measels I wish you would write as

many of the particulars as you remember. I hope Pa
has not taken them. Tell Frances that her two pretty
letters came last evening – she will have answers before
long – the little boys were much pleased as was
this ma with her letter – my head aches all over
your own sister
Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua
Auburn Mar 23
Auburn Mar 24
March 24