cam_Helen_B017_F003_002A

Don Pedro's Bar March 20^th / 53 [1853]

Dear Sister Mary

I think I will endeavor to reply to your letter which
ought to have been answered by the last mail but was delayed like
others as I was particularly busy at that time cooking and doing other work
which I will speak more fully of by & by. Today I have been writing
home or to Wareham I might say; I have recd [received] a letter from Hannah
Mary & Julia since I had written them and I began to think it was
time to reply to some of them. – I will commence by telling you I fear
I shall send you a dull letter this time as I have been writing all
the morning and somewhat exhausted my ideas and beside have the
headache having taken some cold in my head some way which causes
me to feel rather dull – but I am determined another mail shall
not leave and your letter remain unanswered as I know I like to have mine
answered promptly and in letter writing as in other things it is necessary to
follow the Golden rule "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"
I have some paper as you will perceive which is not rulled [ruled] and I can never
write straight without rules so my letter will be a crooked one too as it is
all the paper we have at present – under all these circumstances I trust
you will excuse all errors and I will make no further apologies –
Your last letter was very interesting to me as it contained quite a
number of items which were news to me and Betsey also. I was happy to
at last get a few lines in her own handwriting it seems more like hearing
from one than to receive messages by others. I shall answer Bs [B's] letter by
the next mail I think. I at first thought I would now but concluded
I should have more to write as feel more like it then. Do not take any
offence if I seem to intimate that it no matter what my letter is to you
I did not mean so but it is rather more of a circumstance to be writing
her than you as it is an unusual one – – Your letter confirms the news
of Capt Eldridges [Eldridge's] death I was very sorry to find it was indeed true. I
suppose you learned all the particulars (and probably have written me of
them) by his brother O. Eldridge I am anxious to hear of his safe arrival
home in good health it will be such a gratification to himself and family
to meet once more. I heard Capt E. died at the "Castello Rapids" a place

[sideways top of page]

March 21^st

I will close this morning
and send by the present
opportunity lest I may have
no other in season _ I expect
Aunt Julia's letter did not
get to Stockton in time
for the mail I intended I
was fearful when I sent it
These teamsters you can never
tell when they will get any
where [anywhere]. I recd [received] your letter
previous to sending hers
I sent it off in such a
hurry I believe I never stopped
to finish it – please excuse
it when you see her _

My love to you all tell
Sarah as yet the prospect
for a dressmaker here is
rather slim but I expect
soon there will be a grand
chance as our place is
growing fast and a
number of women are
soon expected here _
Tell Betsey if she is still
with you I think I will
write her the next mail
should she have left F–
by that time you can read
the letter as there will be
nothing private and
then forward to her. –

Much love to her & Mother
and all the other friends
I am contended here but
sometimes when I think of you
all I long so to see you as
Sarah says. I hope we may
all live to meet once more
Write soon yours in love
Helen

[left margin]

George wishes me to give his love to you all –