Gordon Springs July 28, 1854
My Dear Cousin
I received your welcome letter two weeks ago, and would have got it sooner but I have been at home ever since the first of July as it is vacation. Pa went to La Fayette or I would not have received your letter by this time as it was vaction. I will return to La Fayette tomorrow to resume my school on next Monday. I will not teach there any longer than this year. It is now two years since I first taught in L. Tuition is too low there, and I think I can do better at other places. Last session my school was larger than it has ever been, and I think this session I sall have as many as I can manage. We were glad that your Ma had been to Mo, but were disappointed (after she took that long journey and returned) in not hearing a single sentence from any of our kin in that far distant land. We are so anxious to hear from Ann & Betsie & all of them. What place is she living at and with whom? Cousin Juriah, a favorite cousin of mine with whom I have spent many happy days - Did you see here, and where is she? Jane says what P.O. does Dr. Lacy live near. She wants to write to Mary Lacy. What country was that gentleman from in Texas and what was his name.
Tell Cousin Gabriel I am much oblige to him for selling that bonnet, and he got more than I expected he would get for it. I am indebted to hime for the trouble he had with it. I do not know how I shall recompense him withoug I hgve him a sweetheart. And as I think he is nearly bordering on the list of old bachelors, I presume the fascinating charms of the fair sex will never captivate him; and therefore I am afraid he will consider my gift a poor compensation. Ma says tell your Ma to come to see us - and you must come too. The children all want to see you. Margaret says she wrote to you last Spring and you did not answer her letter. She says direct your letter to Gordon Springs, Walker County. La Fayette is ten miles from here and I will come home occasionally this session. The people are coming in every day at the Springs which is a half of a mile from here. We have excellent mineral water to use. I think it is well for me to go back to L. for the mineral water gives one such an appetite to eat that I have to alter my dresses. Every one tells me how much better I look this summer - and the really tell me I look younger. But what good does young looks do an old maid, for she will attract attention any how, as many are always ready to grin at her whenever she appears. But young girls and old maids can be useful, good and happy, any where, and every where, if they will do their duty. To love and serve God is the secret of true happiness. The young lady, the married lady, the rich and poor of every grade and rank society will never be in the enjoyment of true pleasure without religion
The children all grow very much. Amanda and Liz are larger than I am. Will is much larger but is low. I think he is better looking - and I never saw a boy so changed in my life. He is now pleasant, agreeable and accommodating, good to his parents, kind to his sisters, and is always ready to go with the, and is quite a gallant. I think he has improved very much in his manners. We are all glad that he adds such pleasure to the family. Will says tell cousin Jim to write to him. Mr. George Fricks lives in a mile of Calhoun and is in copartnership with Mr. Knott in the Steam Mill. He married Dr. Reed's daughter who lives in two miles of here. I saw Mrs. Fricks the other and she told me if I would have my riding skirt sent to the Steam Mill with the message for Mr. G. Fricks to send it to Dr. Reed's he could send it almost any time. Direct it to me, and send him word to send it to Dr. Reed's. My dear Sally, home is not like home now. On the 10 of July uncle Gid, brother John and Liz started to N C. Brother came to see us and staid two weeks. It had been nearly three years since we saw him - he did not look like himself. He looked thin and old, and was so serious. Uncle Gid came here in March. But Oh! Sallie, the most melancholy thing of all I have deferred to the last time is the death of dear Mary. She died the 6 of June. If I were to try to tell you all of her religious conversation this shee would not contain it. She was confined to her bed two months before her death. She suffered so much and was so patient all the time. Sometimes I came home every other Saturday to be with her as much as possible. I left school a week before her death and staid with her to the last. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday before her death she talked a great deal about dying and with great calmness and composure. She had her trunk brought to her bed and gave different things to the family as a keep sake. She told me she thought the reason she did not die was because she was too anxious to die. I told her perhaps the reason she did not die was because God had yet some work for her to do,or he wished her to remain here a little while longer that she might be better prepared for Heaven. One day she was talking about dying and I asked her why she wanted to die. She answered because she wanted to go to Heaven. I told her she was God's property, and he had a right to take when he pleased, but we loved her and would dislike to give her up. Then she said "O! sister Ann, I had much rather die, and I want no one to grieve for me when I am gone." I had no sister I loved more than dear Mary - but she is gone, gone forever. She told me to tell her brother John and brother Ed to meet her in Heaven. She talked a great deal about Letitia & wished so much to see her. On Saturday, Sunday and Monday she was slumbering most of the time and Tuesday morning ten minutes past seven she breathed her last. When dying she said in a most touching & feeling tone "I don't suffer enough for Jesus to take me." This she said several times. Then she said "I can't suffer enoug" again and again. And after that she said "I don't suffer, I don't suffer." These were last words she uttered and in a time she fell asleep in Jesus. She was the prettiest corpse I ever saw. A sweet smile rested upon her countenance. Her under lip was not closed & partly showed her under teeth. She looked like she was smiling and just ready to speak. O! that we all could die such a death as she died. Sallie, try to live so that you too may meet her in heaven. We all have to die and may we be prepared for that solemn hour. Farewell & may you be a christian is earnest wish of your dear cousin
A. M. M
Give my love to all. Tell Henry & Jim to be good boys and learn fast.