Details
May 2, 1867
My dear Mother,
I wish I could hug you across the five hundred miles between us, and make you understand half how glad I am to have you at home again. Will's joy and Father's, to say nothing of your own, made me feel as if I could feel myself in your room once more. Only seven weeks more Mother dear! Won't we rejoice then - I am glad to hear of Uncle Shepherd's improvement. I trust that he will not kill Aunt Phebe before he gets well. How long does Aunt Katie intend to remain in Rockford? I very much hope that she will be able to stop and see us, I have a great curiosity to see her although
"Alma Mater! Alma Mater!
Strange words for our lips to speak,
No wonder 'tis with kindling eye
And crimson flushing cheek.
For the hand that through the ages
We reached not with our own
In paths we had not known-"
I can give you no idea how beautifully she read it, every word rang through the chapel, so clearly and sweetly - The colloquy was very good also. On the whole it was a success. You can see a very good criticism of it in the Tribune for Teusday - April 30 - Helen had a letter from Charlie on Monday, saying that he was to open an office on the first May for himself - I hope that he will be successful - He did not mention Aunt Rebecca's illness, but said that Fannie was not well, so that Auntie must be well again. Did you know that Mrs. Stoddard the ex-missionary, is about to be married to a brother of her former husband's? I believe to Mary Palmer's stepfather. Mary Palmer and Sarah Stoddard will enjoy rather an anomalous relationship to one another, will
Your young, but wise daughter Mattie -