Letter from Papa

       My precious little daughter,

Papa must write a  word or two to his baby; though I suppose you don’t think of yourself as a baby, now that you have had another birthday,  and are eight years old! and almost as large as your Mamma, for she only weighs just fifty pounds more than you do.

       Since Mama finished her letter, five troops of cavalry, soldiers on horseback with lances and flags, have ridden into the  plaza right in front of our room. There are five or six hundred  of them and they look very gay and brilliant --  Ten days ago there were many thousand soldiers, ten times as many as you could put in Niagara Square, drawn up in a line more than a mile  long, and the  Captain General, a very large man here, and all his officers, with red and gold uniforms, rode along the line, which made a  very fine sight, better than the Fourth of July in Buffalo.  You must go over to our new house and write me how it is getting along, and see that it is built right, and that your room is fixed to suit you --Much love, my darling and many kisses from your own Papa.

(continued from something,) WIll tell you more directly when we get home, about it.                                                                   p74

       We must thank Mr. Minn, our consul, and several Spanish ladies and gentlemen.  We then came to the plaza des Armes to hear the music-- and took ice cream.

        Tuesday -Today we  must finish off our letters  - and in answer to them will hear from you in New Orleans.  Raining hard again.  They tell us this weather is unusual for this time of year.  At all events it is very disagreeable, for we are like prisoners when we cannot go out.  The heavy doors have to be shut up and only a small pane of glass each side to see out of.  Henry Kips has a sore throat, and  going?  on my?.  Clara  and  Bob both writing their friends and to  Lottie  ____.  You must have_____ shown you his  letter and can these too.  Miss Clara likes it here and I hope my little girl keeps well and is obedient.  It seems as if we have been gone much longer than we have, for we have seen so much. Give love to dear Auntie Bush, Maria, Henry, Lottie, and all - Eve, Dirk, and Sea___, we think  of you all very often.  We shall expect letters from home again on Thursday when the Morro Castle comes in.

       We absolutely hunger for them and can realize in truth that  hoping deferred maketh the heart sick.

Good by again and love and kisses to you all---

               Aff yours, Sara

Send all letters after this to New Orleans, La.  That is all the address necessary.                                                                                  Tuesday Jan 29 Robert D Hayes, New Orleans - La                                                                                                                   p75

                                                               Havana, Feb. 3 , 1867

My darling people all,

Your letters dated the 12th we received by the Morro Castle Friday. They had a very stormy passage and were nearly a week in coming.  Bob was terribly disappointed in not hearing from Henry Sizer and Bert.  He has written to the latter twice now, and thought if there was anything he desired to know, he would have written, for he says he mentioned anything about the house he could possibly think of, but would be very likely to forget some things.   He will write this steamer to Henry again ---.  We  have been sightseeing everywhere, I think, in this city.  Not a street or place that we have not seen. The past few days Henry Kips has had a bad sore throat, and  we found he was going to be

quite sick, so we gave up going to a plantation this week. But now he is quite well again, and we are making our preparations to go into the country Monday.

We have visited the “Cemetery” here and should since have gone if we had been told of the sights we should see beforehand.                    There are four walls surrounding a courtyard of green grass  - like such places -- and each wall is four tiers high containing each a niche large enough for one coffin, about five hundred on each side, and it holds twelve thousand in all, not counting the ground itself -- This is  dug into deep pits --Those  who are unable to buy a niche, are thrown into these pits without a coffin --only a scanty covering on them, when the pit is full with the dead it is covered with lime, then filled up at the end of the month  - they are dug up and what remains of them are burnt. -- Now  we saw  them burning  -- also a funeral - and  the digging up of others.  We suppose of course these are no longer buried than a month until we were told they have decomposed by the aid of lime so quickly.

                                                                                        p77                         Even those who can afford to buy a niche pay $110 for10 years, which is the longest time they will be leased -- and then it can be reused,  but suppose none of their friends are living -- The body is taken out and thrown into these pits and then burned up.  The government has the leasing of it. You can see they even make money by the dead.  Did you ever hear of such a horrible thing?  Oh! how sad it made me feel.  I fairly wept and thanked God indeed we live in a Christian land and could lie undisturbed in our last long home.  Those who pretend to be indifferent as to what becomes of their bodies after death should see such a sight as this to appreciate the inestimable blessings of being laid asleep by loving hands.---

       Henry Kip did not go with us, for he was sick -- Clara, as usual, has another gentleman on hand, “Mr. Eames” of New York, his father has a place at Coldwater on the Hudson near “Mr. Rossiter”. Was not Laura engaged to his brother who was killed while riding horseback --  Laura held his head when dying.  Don’t you remember “Em”? --this is the only son now.  He knows Laura Sterling - Laura  Hilliard of course.  He is going to Paris from here to meet his family who are abroad.  He is traveling for his health -- has his “Mr.” with him. Very pleasant and nice and as Clara say he is of use because he can tote her about.  She tells me about the report of her being engaged to Albert, his  mother having said so - which neither Bob nor I believe for she is not that kind of a woman.                                                                                 

       Next I don’t think Albert is in love with Clara.  I think he likes to be with her for the very reason that he knows she don’t care for him either.  You fret yourself unnecessarily, I assure you!  Engaged people generally correspond which is not the case here.  She has face (?) always please best(?)  with her --- My opinion is, if she wrote hers to Lottie Lockwood, and some to her own people, she would be better off, and not continually getting into lesapers(?,) as I do  not hesitate to  tell her---

        We, that is Bob and I, went all through a Jesuit College the other day, about two hundred and fifty boys are educated there.  Every branch of knowledge taught - music and drawing - chemistry and so with skills (?) appropriate to each -- also a Church called Church of Bethlehem, connected  with it-- this and another called  Santa Therese are perfectly beautiful --one  is all blue and silver -- the other crimson and gold -- thirteen life size statues, representing different saints, Christ, and the Virgin Mary are all dressed in the most gorgeous robes --of real satin and lace and velvet -- stiff with gold embroidery, and crusted with precious stones.                                                                                        

       The  front of the altar is silver and a silver temple containing the host -- over which was a canopy of real silk and satin --- I never saw so much glitter.

Candles playing with light upon the altar, magnificent jewels--everything to please the eye.  There was also a convent connected with the Santa Theresa  church -- heavy wooden gratings separating the nuns from us--

       We  have also attended German ball, and had an opportunity to see  Cuban ladies, who are far from pretty,  made up of powder and paint, and the Cuban dances, about which we have heard so much , very  ___ and  strange it was --We were late in coming away, danced any number of times, plenty of partners for “Americanas”  and went to Mr. “Joseph  Grimes” to supper. Mr. Grimes has been particularly polite to us.  Has sent his carriage for us to ride several times.   He gave a small entertainment for us Thursday evening last, and gave us, knowing that we         p80

were anxious to become acquainted with creole dishes that were so funny to us.  One was called  Hegote -a kind of chicken soup served in tea cups with small coffee spoons.  The chicken trussed fine and a little rice and crust put in some strange cais? and  dulces.?  We enjoyed ourselves very much.  In fact we shall never  be able to repay his kind attention.        

       His wife is perfectly lovely, her Mother is here with her now this winter. He inquired so particularly about Buffalo, we did not know but what he thought of coming there to settle, he wants to  leave Havana.-- He is quite rich.  Always spends his summers   north.--

       It has rained every Sunday but one, since we have been here, but clears up in time for us to take a pleasant drive at  night, which is the time to drive out here -- the houses being all lighted up, we have an opportunity of seeing inside very nicely, all the windows and doors being open.

       I am afraid Henry Kip will frighten his mother somewhat by telling her he was quite ill. (He made more fuss, I can tell you                         than poor Bob who looked so bad, and slept none for ten nights) and had an appetite while it was as much as the “Mr. Caso” could do to keep Henry from eating . I did not think he could be very sick, and eat as he did and does.  People do not usually who are sick.  The tretor(sp) told him he was a baby --  Don’t take this letter up to Mrs. Kip.  She would be incensed at that . -- I heard from her by the last steamer. She said Mother had so many engagements she had to line up to see her.  I am very glad, I can say, she would give her something that her horses of children could stand, but ours could not.  We are obliged to write our letters for home today, or we are going tomorrow at half past five.  A Mr. to the Harmonia Estate arrived, by the Marquis Aldama, one of the  wealthiest planters here. We received our invite last week - - but Henry not feeling well deferred going until this.  We shall stay a couple of days --and return to Matanzas, the small pox has abated and there is no fear, I believe.  We hate to leave this island without seeing that wonderful cave and valley -- a great number of Americans have been there so we are going to venture.

        The Morro Castle leaves here Wednesday the 6th, taking to you a barrel of oranges from Robert -- and one to Uncle Henry from Henry. We hope p82         that they will reach you all right. The boys have taken particular pains about them - they presented their letters to “Mo. Bombalier”, the express superintendent here. He said the would take especial care that they should not be frozen and got out a free permit to deliver them immediately to United States Express in New York.         Also wrote to Mr. Thayer, to pay all charges, so we do hope that you will get them all right, and for once have all the oranges you can eat.  When we have anything particularly nice in the way of fruit we always wish you dear people were here to enjoy it too.  We shall get our letters when we return, probably, and be able to write once more from here before we leave, which we expect to do on the 12th now, by the Liberty.  There has been so much confusion we have not been able to learn exactly what was true about the steamers -- but have taken passage in that.  I hope Mother will keep my dear little darling.  I enjoy her letters very much. I  suppose, though, it is a great care to you to have to tell her how to spell the  words.  Maria will have a nice time in New York.  Will she take her baby too?  Give her much love -- also Aunty B, Henry, and  Fred?.  I am afraid the  former will have his patience sorely tried with our house, but if it gets done someway it will be so infinitely better than what I have had I shall be contented, and unutterable thanks Henry for his troubles.  Kiss the children for me, Em.   We devour both your letters and then it don’t seem enough.   Much love to Henry Frick and Lill---.  We shall write again as soon as we get back.  Love to Louise Wilkerson.  I thought I should be able to write but there are so many relatives to keep posted I shall have to give it up--

       Affectionately Yours,

                Sara                                                                                                                                                                                       

My own little girl,

Mama never forgets to add a few lines to you, and thank you for your little letters.  I hope you are improving very much at school, so that very soon you may not have to trouble your Aunty or Uncles to tell you how to spell the words.  Do you know Elizabeth has not heard a word from her little girls, now I want you to tell them to write to her, because I know she  wants to hear, and she listens very eagerly when I read to her what Grandma writes about  them --Mama does not think it very kind that her mother has not written.  Do you know it is so warm here that all the little children wear is a white chemise -  nothing  else, not stocking  or shoes -- We  see  plenty of soldiers all the time.  I suppose  you would like that very much--  Are you very  kind to Lena -- I hope  so -- You must go over to the house and see that it is getting on all right.                                                                                            p84

       If Grandma thinks it best for you to go to the Harvey dress? , you can. Your dress is in the band box in the storage room,  and your silk stockings were with your clothes---but you must do just as Grandma says for it may be very cold, you know.  Now I shall  hope  to  hear of your being a very good girl.  Do you always remember your Papa and Mama in your prayers? Oh!  How  I hope you keep will keep well until Mama can hug you right up in her  arms.  Papa will  write a ew  words--  Good  bye little precious.

Your own-- Mama

My dear little daughter,

The same day that  you get this letter there will come to Grandma a whole barrel of Oranges for all of you people on the square, and this is the way you must fix them so that you and Lena  can eat them without making a rumpus in your little “storm jackets”.  Stick a fork clear into one end and then with a sharp knife cut the orange at right angles to the fork , and about half or three  quarters of an inch from it through the peel.  Then cut a slice off the  other end, just as you would from a lemon, to suck it.  Then slice off the peel through which the fork goes. Then use the fork for a handle, and eat from the side.  This is meant to be a picture of the orange when ready for eating.  Tell Grandma she must  experiment till she gets it right.  By this way you get all of the juice and pulp and none of the indigestible part.   Good bye my precious -- Very soon I shall see  you.

Your own Papa

February 6 th

Dearest Mother,                                                                         p85

I always go back to the date of sending off my letters that you may be kept fully posted as regards our doings, so last Tuesday evening the House gave a ball.  Do Dunes and wife, also a number of Cubans, and some of our New York friends were to leave next day on the Steamer, so we had a  gay time.  Very beautiful table too -- Bob had to put a stop to my dancing.  I was enjoying it with too great a vengeance on my past sickness.

Wed. we went shopping  with Mrs Tures and lunched at her house.   I thought of buying black satin slippers, Em, and with

a heel for $1.50 --  no money when you paid $9 for mine in New York last winter.  We had a  number of calls in the evening, but answered Don Minn and wife being amongst the number who favored us.  Henry still continues being indisposed.  We concluded if we waited for him we would be very late in seeing outside things about the island, so we made our preparations to leave for “Mariano”, Thursday at one o’clock.

Clara, Bob, and I went. We passed a  number of sugar estates and  enjoyed a fine vision of the surrounding country.  Reaching these we found where “Mrs. Almay’s” hotel was, (she has left the city),  introduced ourselves.  She of course remembered “Sue” Milanis. Her house is a very p87 pleasant one, but so quiet. She had but a few boarders.  We made arrangements to dine there, and then started for a drive to the beach.  It is quite long, the drive I mean,  and through palm trees, groves  of them,  and dense shrubbery.  A most charming view by the sea.  Picked up  numberless shells, and wandered “by the sad sea waves”.   Surveyed with great interest the wreck of a stockade runner, and would like to have prolonged our stay, but it was getting near dinner time.  We have but two meals a day in this country, and when the hour arrives for each,  we generally are found to be on hand.  We hastened through our dinner in order to catch the train and as you see, made altogether a very flying  trip, but quite long enough to do the  places.  On Friday we concluded to again go out without Henry.  Mr. Barthel who is trading  with Mr. James of New York joined our party and we left for Matansas, a little afraid of the small pox and yet venturing.                                                                                     

       It is quite a few hours drive and we  were detained and did not reach there until near dark, so after dining we went to bed early to rise in good season for our day’s sightseeing.  Seven o'clock came all too soon, but still we were on hand, after breakfast, prepared to sally forth.  The Mr. and Bob mounted on two fine horses, we in a two horse gallanti, all in style.  This fresh expedition was to the caves of Belleman by the sea shore and some very rough riding  when we went up the hills, but these vehicles are very easy and so one can stand any amount of bouncing without much inconvenience aside from a soreness in one’s seat which is rather uncomfortable.  Upon reaching the house at the entrance to the caves we ladies proceeded to the dressing room, Hopkins and - I was going to say -almost denuded of apparel. I must ask Bob to make a sketch.  We were really beautiful when we went in, but Oh!, when we came out, My! It is  really opressingly warm, so the less one wears, the better.   Armed and  equipped with a bottle of ale and brandy, headed by the guide with a torch, and taking  a last whiff of fresh air,  we  commenced to descend by a long flight of stairs, and     p90  through a place, deep chasms on all sides, then another flight of stairs and we are fairly started on our way.

       It  would be impossible to accurately describe to you on paper the wonders of these caves.  In some  places, single file and stooping very low,  we entered into spacious chambers, the stalactites of brilliant whiteness and transparency, reflecting  back our lights,  very weird and beautiful.  Of course there are any quantity of names bestowed upon the different shapes which these stalactites form,  and which do bear a very wonderful  resemblance to “A Bishops’ Chair”.  Also a gothic gallery, etc. It was dreadfully warm.  We fortified ourselves with a long pull at the brandy bottle and still kept on.                                    

       I cannot tell you the distance we walked but as Bob very justly observed you would have been utterly astonished at me, and think I had made wonderful progress indeed.

       We were perfectly drenched with perspiration when we reappeared  to the ground, and well tired but very glad  we had  persisted, for it is a sight worth seeing and remembering.   After waiting until we were sufficiently cooled so as to not take cold, we all remounted and set out to the  “Folly of the Yarimi”.  It was a very long and beautiful drive and had  already commenced to be very warm - still  we enjoyed it hugely.  When upon the summit -- overlooking this beautiful valley. I think we never saw  such a lovely scene.  If  we could only have sketched it, the little farmhouses nestling behind the palm trees way below and the  different colored (?)  made a picture which we will not soon forget.  From here we drove on to a sugar estate belonging to a Don Jenkins and we saw all the machinery for the grinding although they were not going to commence until Sunday,  and also saw the boiling house and tasted of the sugar. Another curiosity must not be forgotten and that was the “bares”, as we  called them.  I mean the naked negro children.  They do not wear a stitch of clothes until they are at least five years of age.  Pleasant, when driving out with gentlemen,  to meet them at every corner.  We got back to the hotel quite late for dinner  p93  then walked through the Plaza and different streets.  We were obliged to remain in during the evening, it rained so.  We  played  euchre __ and sang.  Bright and early at 4 o’clock on Sunday we were up to take the early train, dreadful, I know, but still we did not wish to remain over Sunday, for you see, the steamer may leave Tuesday.  We could not get a galanti so early and it is a great ways to the depot.  The conductor we had made friends with, and while we  were making preparations to walk, he made his appearance at the hotel with an old wagon and a mule.  A box in the wagon to sit upon.  Most politely we were invited to ride, so rather than walk, we accepted and  mounted.  p96.

                       (Pages 94 and 95 are not in the Diary.)

We have written by every steamer without fail but Robert has not been as favored as any of the rest of us.  So, have Mollie keep  her Papa's’ letters for she will prize them when older.  Dear little Ducky, I hope she is well, how often I think of her, and hope she gives you very little  trouble.  Believe me, Dear Mother, we appreciate your loving care most truly -- Auntie Bert must be lonely without Maria, give much love to her.  We see the Buffalo papers.  They are sent to Henry by his friends, and it seems to bring us nearer home  as we read them.  I wish we could bring warm weather back with us.  It has been to us very cold, although it is not below sixty-eight degrees.  We shall feel the change very much north.                                                  p97

       I may not return, you know, with the rest of the party, but I am so afraid shall not have the courage to remain behind.  The steamer, Eagle, leaves on Wednesday and will take our letters, I  think.  The Morro Castle must have had a very stormy time judging from the northerners we are having here. It blows terrifically.  There is a vessel wrecked this morning about 25 miles from here.  150 passengers on board, all saved but lost everything,  The waves wash way over Morro Lighthouse putting out the light.  When they have a hurricane here it amounts to something.

       Tuesday- Keeping my letter open until the  last moment.  Dr. Jovens (?)  and family spent the evening with us and a few others.  We had a little  entertainment for them.  p98  We hear the steamer will sail tomorrow if not too rough so we are making today our last minute preparations.  Mercy! knows I hope it will clear before we  leave.

       Have been out driving to the Marquis of Luis, brought back a lovely bouquet orange blossoms.  Such a  perfume fills the  room from them as I write.  I think you would not be very much distressed with Clara’s constancy, could you see her with this Mr. Eames, it is well we  leave soon.  Our  letters go today - Wednesday.  Not yet left, but expect it’s tomorrow ---  No letters from you and no prospect of getting them before we  leave unless a fishing smack comes in from Key West --- I feel so bad --

Good bye my dear ones all .                                                           

I hope we shall reach New Orleans in safety, but I dread the voyage.  Love to one and all.

Affectionately, Sara

Sat. Feb. 16, 1867

Havana

At last my dear ones your letters have reached us, they came from “Key West” on a steamer last night after we had given up all hopes of getting them and  were  brought to us early this morning by Mr. Springer of the  consulate from  weeks ago, they were  written Jan 19.  We ought to have received them a week ago.  In the same ludget was one from Lottie Birt and Aunt Charlotte,  it was perfectly delightful to hear from Pace.  Ah! only those who are so far away from home as we are  p100 can tell with what eagerness we look forward to  the arrival of the steamers.  You see we are still in Havana---  No Liberty made its appearance until this morning and she does  not leave before Monday.  So we have stayed here a week longer than we anticipated and this last week has rather dragged.  When one makes up their mind to leave and get packed, you feel you want to start then.   We have  not escaped the storms you had at the North and it is that which has delayed the steamer so --- Think of the waves mountains high dashing on Morro Lighthouse, a distance of about 100 feet--there are about 120 steps up to the light and then you see the distance from the water is very great.  Went down Sunday to the  Castle Bella Punta to see this sight. (p101) Oh! how the waves came rolling in, and I am afraid I did not echo the boys wish very heartily, that the Liberty would come in -- as she stays but a day, and I did not wish to enjoy a storm at sea---  there are a great  number of vessels wrecked upon the coast, and the wind does not seem lulled as yet---  Bright and early Monday morning, we take our departure , having thoroughly DONE Havana.  I feel better than any of you seem to realize.  Aunt Charlotte’s letter cautioned me over and over again about taking care.  Now I really DO, but I am so much better, none of you seem to understand.  It is really Bob who is the invalid now.   His asthma is very, very bad, and what is more it continues through the day, more or less, giving him  an intractable headache almost all the  time.  He has  grown quite thin, and I feel more worried about him than myself.  Evidently the climate does not agree with him here.  One reason why we have been so anxious for the steamer to come, hoping the change to New Orleans may benefit him.  We have urged him to let the others go home and  we try Florida, but he thinks we ought to be home, we have been too long away.  He ought to be the one,  if any, to remain behind,  but you cannot convince him.  We  do not reach home until the second  week in March, and that is the worst month.  Bob seems to think the house is going wrong.  He often --  wonders what “Allison” could mean, he certainly ought to  understand his ideas by this time about different things. The front hall, for instance -- If he saw it way too small a landing, we  had much rather do without the closet altogether as Bob wrote to Henry--

       You precious old dear, you. I wish we could send you a drawing of all our bare arms that you might see we are all right.   None  of them “took”, not even Elizabeth’s.  I ought to except Bob’s - but it is well now--. Take to your couch in peace, Mama dear, we  have none of us got the small pox.

       Henry Kip is going to Matanzas this afternoon to see the  caves, and other sights, returning tomorrow afternoon.  Mr. Springer of the consulate accompanies him.  We do not like him to lose the  opportunity. It seems a shame to  leave that island without seeing all the sights.  Wednesday --  we heard of a famous church we had not seen, so jumping into a galanti Bob, Henry and  I started to find it. Church of Mucide.  It is one of the oldest in the city, built by the Dominicans first, and recently refitted.  It is a very imposing building.  A number of columns of  marble support the roof, floors and stairs of marble, various life-size statues adorned with most exquisite embroidery, silks and satins.  In a temple of white marble above the altar, and covered with a curtain -- which was drawn aside for us -- was a statue of  the  Virgin Mary literally covered with precious stones of every kind and the rays of golden glory adorn her head.  A very dazzling  sight to us even, and to these poor  p105  benighted heathen, I do not wonder with all their Jesuitical tricks they believe it real religion.

       We have spent Wednesday and Thursday evening upon the  Plaza listening to the beautiful music and  watching the numbers of people who throng the Plaza.  At nine the band ceases to play and we walk across the street to a cafe for some of their unknown ices.   We have to remain in the dark as to what we are eating.  But I think none of their ice or sweets quite as nice as our own.  Really home cannot be improved upon.

       We have a number of calls through the day for our circle of acquaintances seems to extend.  Generally after breakfast, which we take  between nine or ten,   we drive down town if we have any shopping or calls to make, and hurry as we may do we never seem to get back before three, then a short nap and engagements for the evening.   Friday we had several calls and amongst the “Mines”.  Bob has a “petite soupris” for them.  They have made our visit extremely pleasant and we feel countless obligations to them.  Clara  has been EXCEEDINGLY  occupied with a  Mr. James,  I told you, of New York, for a flirtation.  I should say it was going rather too fast, fortunately as the young gentleman leaves for Spain, not intending to return until next winter.  Bob and I have both spoken to her which she quite resents, giving us to understand she is quite independent,  and will  p107  brook no interference in her affairs, which is very far from our intention.  Traveling with us we do feel a little responsibility which she thinks is quite unnecessary.  Understand me, we do not think the gentleman to be at all serious, and would therefore wish her to be more discrete, but as she very justly observes, we have done our duty by speaking to her, and that is enough.  It certainly has not contributed toward making this last week very agreeable.  And we are congratulating ourselves we leave him behind on Monday.  And as I have not only great faith in Clara’s constancy, it will not hurt anybody away from here, but most decidedly unpleasant just now.        People, when traveling together cannot be quite so independent of one another -- and that OTHER , a young lady, who should learn to be discrete.

        We have been to the Governor’s Palace but it doesn’t amount to much.  Very large, barren and bare.

       I am glad you are pleased with our letters, and that they give you some idea, what we have been doing.  I always feel -- as if I had failed to convey to you half I wish to say -- Please say to Lottie how much pleasure her letter gave me and I have some leaves all pressed but cannot tell her the name of one.  I would like to write to Louise Wilkenson, Jennie King, and others so I first thought I could but, I always feel as if there were so many  relations to keep posted and to whom I do write that I really have not the time to attend to those outside.  Please give my love to all and thank them for their remembrances.

       I am glad you attended to Mollie’s bonnet. I know she did need one indeed.  You say it looks well enough with the old velvet.  If not, get new.

       You may be sure, quite sure, anything you think it is best to fix, dear Mother, will be all right to me, and I can never half tell you how much your love and kindness is appreciated.  Dear Eve, we read your letters and sigh for more.  What a lovely time all must have had at the “Old Settlers Festival” from the glowing - p110--description.  Henry Kip has once in a while explained he would have liked to have been at home to have enjoyed this or that, and truly we have all shared the wish.  How hard it is for us to realize the cold and snow that you are having, although it had been cooler here than for a long time back.  In the middle of the day it brings the moisture to one’s brow, I assure you. The moonlight nights we are having are so clear you can read with the most perfect ease, and to take a drive upon the Cerro and to see the shadow of the tall palms reflect upon the ground like so many giants, and the stone houses  illuminated  which you can see at  great distances -- p111-- seem like the magical picture.  I told you in my last letter, they have made $300,000 and expect to make still more-- what do you think of  that? -- Everything is contributed and sold at twenty cents a tafrio --as one calls them -- half of which are blanks.

       Henry and Bob went aboard the Liberty last night to see what accommodations we could get, eighty two passengers.  They did not give us a glowing description of the  vessel. No - - - staterooms were very dark.  We do not anticipate an elegant trip.  It is two weeks before another steamer.  In the present state of the funds, think we had better get where they can be replenished.  Sat upon our balcony last evening entertaining Mrs. Mac Cormack --- of New Orleans who is now here, and whom Clara met in Cleveland  last summer- also Mr. James and Wheeler.  Bob brought home from the city some preserves and jellies-- where I am to pack them is more than I can tell.  Elizabeth’s Mother must have a great affection for her.  She has not heard from them once. It is through our letters she hears of her children.  Mollie evidently has not been as well as hinted before. I must find out what you do in order to succeed as you have done in order to keep her in such good health.   If I could only smuggle through some of the Irish linen sheetings they have here -$1.25 per yard-- Oh so fine.  We send this letter to you by Steamer Columbia.  We think it may reach you a day or two sooner than if mailed from New Orleans. - p 113 --After receiving this you will not be able to write again.  We shall stay a week in New Orleans and it takes about 10 days to reach  home.  Bob insists that I stay behind but I think not. .  Love to all the relatives -when?  Wouldn’t Auntie Bert be comfortable here today.  Hot it is and no mistake and I am writing in a sack and skirt.  Clara out driving with Mr. James, Bob down town, Elizabeth reading. Sunday night you see it is but one can scarcely realize such a thing as the Sabbath here.  The very last item I can tell you about ourselves.  I hope we shall reach New Orleans in safety.  The vessel is very crowded and loaded with sugar.   Love  to all -

Affectionately, Sara --

Dear Precious Mollie,

       I dreamed of you all last night and feel as if I should dearly like to kiss you.  Mama made Papa draw these pictures for you and if he had had time would have sent more.  We have not had any letters for two weeks . Thursday the steamer took them all to Key West.  Mama feels very badly for I think now we shall not get them before we  leave for New Orleans. I hope you go over to the house sometime to see if it is getting on all right.  Elizabeth is very well and sends a great deal of love to you and her children.  You go to school regularly I hope, and must try to improve all you can. Do you ever go and see Jennie and Annie Waterson?  Now give Grandma as little trouble as you can.  That is a good girl, and kiss Lena for me.  I suppose you will think Papa’s pictures very funny, but the  picture is just exactly like the wagon we were in.  Goodbye my own precious little girl.  Mama hopes to see you very soon.  With much love,

Mama

                                                              

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My Dearest little girl.

One more letter from this far away place.  The next will be from the City of New Orleans, which as your geography will tell you is in our own country.  And in a little while  after that Aunty Clara and Papa will be in Buffalo but I’m afraid  Mama will have to stay in the  land of sunshine a little longer.  Yesterday we all went down in a cave under the ground at Matanzas, a city seventy or eighty miles from here.  Mama and Aunty Clara had to take off their  hoops and  go through a long dark hole, to sometimes have her hair taken off.  Then we rode up a high hill to see the Valley of the Yumlari ten or twelve  miles long  and shaped like  a very deep platter with hundreds  of  plantations and thousands of palm and orange trees. Though it was winter it was so hot that Papa had to carry Mamma’s parasol.   p 117.  You can see what a figure he cut. (drawing of Papa on horseback).  This morning we got  up a little after 4 to come back to Havana, dark as a pocket and not coach or volante near; so we mounted the baggage wagon and jolted along to the depot.  Papa and Mamma and Dr. Bartlett and Aunty Clara all sitting on a box, with the porter and conductor in front, and a little darkie under the seat--- Here  we  are at the depot  (picture)  with the coolie ringing the bell ---  Paradero-Ferro Carril Para Havana. Good night my precious girl.  Give lots of love to Grandma and Lena, from Papa.

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