Letter from Jennie Reed to Samuel B. Reed, September 27, 1863

In this letter from September 27, 1863, Jennie Reed writes to her husband, Samuel Reed, some days after he departed from a visit home. Once more, she expresses her desire for him to secure employment closer to home, at least during the coming winter, and asks him to mention the possibility to Mr. Thielsen. She also requests information regarding the railroad passes which he was to secure for her and a cousin.

Joliet
Sept. 27th 1863.

My Dear Samuel,

I have tried in vain to find time to send you a few lines upon each of the past days since you left home but have not been able. I attended the concert and was charmed with the music almost divine. Such a voice and so highly cultivated I never heard before. Andrew was there to drive me home in the carriage. Yet so lonely did it seem that I could scarcely enjoy myself. I have exhausted the topic of your obtaining employment nearer home and will introduce a new one. Namely "to keep a lookout for someone who wishes a tenant for a few weeks or months. To occupy the house all furnished [c]. We could first suit such a place through the winter. Martha says that such a place offerd [sic] itself first before Christmas last year and extended through the winter. A Mr. & Mrs. Cook who went to [Cinnitie]. They found it very difficult to get a tenement altho [sic] everything was found to live upon. Please mention this to Mr. Theilsen [sic] and he will hear if there is any such opportunity and you may not hear of it. Now do mention it to him for I do not feel that I can spend this long winter alone. Especially if such an opportunity is to be embraced. I did not go to church this morning as my health is not good to day [sic] altho [sic] my spirits are bright in proportion to as my health is not good. Do you take the heat all right. I received a letter from [Genesea]. One of my former pupils Miss Wright, now Mrs. Physick is married and going to Memphis and wishes me to take tea with her at the [national]. I presume she will on the contrary come out here. The day is Tuesday. I wish I had the buggy repaired. Andrew picked the apples yesterday across the road there is for us only a little over a barrel.

The war news is not favorable, altho [sic] Col. B. is not dead as expected Capt. Ellwood's telegram says that Col. B. is well, but that Lieut. Col. Waterman and Mr. Barttels are wounded. Little Mary took a ride Friday for her picture and when we started she said "go see Papa" so plainly that you would have been pleesed [sic] . She calls for you a great deal. She still keeps pretty well altho [sic] not entirely. Anne is well and bright as a bird.

Receive love & kisses from your dear one at home.

Yours
Jennie E Reed

What about the passes for cousin and myself. We owe Andrew for two month's wages instead of one I have paid him $42. And he has been here 4 months. He has been very [poorly] this week with his rupture. Terribly distressed. Some of the time. Yours.