Net Austin, NYC to Mary Ann Eldred Austin, Halfway Brook, NY
Sunday, January 31, 1864
Dear Aunt Mary [Austin],
I received your very welcome letter last week and will now try and answer it.
For a great wonder, we are all well. Mortie [Net’s brother Mortimer Bruce Austin], has been quite sick with a bad cold. He was so sick that he could not go to the store for a week.
Uncle James went up to Mount Kisco Saturday after Aunt Julia. She has been up there three weeks. He is going to bring her down Monday.
Mother got your carpet Thursday. I think you will like it first rate. It will look very nice when you get it down. How I wish I could come up and help you with it. Mother says you must sew the breadths together and tack it around the sides. It will last so much longer if you do.
Emma [Mary Ann’s daughter] is very well, though in rather a bad fix today. Her trunk has got a spring lock. Well she got the key inside and accidentally put down the lid. And as a matter of fact of course, we had not a key that would unlock it, but will get one tomorrow. She gets along first rate at school. She is at the head of her class.
Has Uncle Henry given up coming to Brooklyn? How I wish he would come. How is little Lonie and Eldred? How I do want to see them and all the rest. Give my love to Grandmother [Hannah Hickok Eldred].
With much love to you all. Write soon and oblige. Nettie
