Har'g [Harrisburg] Dec.[ember] 2d 63 Wednesday

Dear Callie,

Your sister wrote to you about the furs, but I suppose you had bought them. You know she belongs to the slow line. I was amused read your account of the edibles you get. You often thought at home, that our fare was not good enough. I would prefer it to yours.

Since you left us we often have no desert, (sic) & feel better without it. We were not used to it at home 35 years ago & we grew up large enough. Besides rich & strong food is very bad for the complexion. Martie (1) has had festered thumb & now has cold, but is at school. We are all well. Hampy (2) writes that he & all the rest are to take up arms to defend Memphis. I think it would be well for you to buy a tin cup & when you go out buy 2 or 3 eggs and if you want something extra, boil an egg over your gas light. I would suppose from your account that you never get meat to eat.

Willie (3) says Tom Frons (4) is to be married to Miss Cochran (5), sister of Mrs. Cathcart. We have nothing new here. Mr. Cattelle (sic.) Is to go to Easton, I believe, this week. Mrs. Kate Reily (6) has gone to spend the winter at Indianapolis and Cousin Alick (sic) (7) is getting the skating pond ready. They have damed (sic) the water up two feet & are building a house 30 feet long for the ladies to dress in with 2 rooms.

The town is as full of frivolity as ever. So we old fogies think.

Yours truly,
Herman Alricks

 

1. Martha Orth Alricks (Alricks Family Genealogy, p. 83)
2. Hamilton Alricks (Ibid)
3. May be J. Wilson Orth, son of Martha Cummins Kerr and Dr. Edward L. Orth of Front and Cranberry (Harrisburg Business Directory 1863, p. 195) or William Buehler of Front and Locust. (Ibid, p. 139) or younger brother William Kerr Alricks (Alricks Family Genealogy, p. 83)
4. Tom Frons not identified.
5. Miss Cochran not identified.
6. Mrs. Cathcart is thought to be the wife of William A. Cathcart, dry goods purveyor at 29 Market Square, who resided at Chestnut and S. Front Street. (Harrisburg Business Directory 1863, p. 141)
7. Rev. William C. Cattell who lived at N. Front and Pine. (Ibid)
8. Mrs. Kate Reily, widow of John W. Reily of 6 South Market Square (Harrisburg Business Directory 1860, p. 71)
9. Alex Thompson [Cousin Alick ?] not identified.

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