letter from Malissa Spurlock Foster to her future daughter-in-law, Alice Johnston

At Paul's March 14, 1906

My Dear Alice,

As we promised to write to each other but didn't say which would do the first writing, I have been waiting a little on you but Emma has been right sick for 8 or 10 days, but she is up now but quite weak. I reckon Abie has told you of our trip home. I never will travel through the city on the carnival occasion. If I had known it on time I would have postponed my trip another week later but we had my comfortable quarters surrounded with three or four ladies with little babies in their arms trying to sleep, sitting up in rocking chairs all night. One poor lady was so worn out when she came in, she folded up one of her wraps, put it down on the naked floor and she got down on it and slept that way.

Well, dear Alice, I have thought of you all so much, Abie wrote me how sad you all felt. I had to shed tears over it too.

The conductor came to us right away and was talking to Foster about his ticket. I didn't have time to look out. He told Foster he had no showing on that ticket. He had to pay him fiveor six dollars from there to Jacksonville and then he gave him a receipt so he may collect it in N. O. (New Orleans) I let him have five dollars to take him home. Henry sent it to me. But Foster hasn't written me a word after telling me he would write me as soon as he reached home. I am looking any day for a letter from him. Henry wrote he would look for me after the first of next month, about two weeks. Now somehow I dread to leave home so much, but as Emma says that your mission (is) going about nursing your children.

We have had some fine weather since my return home, but this has been a rainy day, so much water on the ground, and everything seems to wear a gloom, but begins to break away and the birds are singing so sweetly.

David Blackburn marries tomorrow. He marries one of the Miss Sandoz's. Brother Holden, our preacher, marries them but she says when they are married then she wants the Priest to bless their marriage. I don't know how they will fix it. As David says "being married by one preacher is good enough for me." When I came home I found all the B. moved back on their Pleasance home. David will live in their house in town. With me (that's) all the news. I am getting right anxious to hear from you all. Give a heap of love to Ida and Authur and kiss dear little Helen for me. Tell her not to forget Grandma. God bless you all, dear Alice, I want to hear from you soon.

Grandma

Just got your letter. So glad to hear from you all. All well this morn. Emma is sitting by the fire. Write soon. I often think of the pleasant hours we've spent together. I used to enjoy so much being down at the water's edge looking at you and Foster play in the water. Often think of poor Foster. I am afraid he will have a long time at his new home. Poor boy, he hated to leave me so much. He will be so glad when I go to his house, says we will go fishing about four miles in Red River.