Forest Grove, Dec 7th 1882. My beloved Father, We rec'd a letter from you today, and I wish I could tell you how it cheered my heart, and how much I should love to see your dear precious face. I cannot tell you how much [text missing] and how are you, how [text missing] have always been of [text missing] father. I remember so [text missing] times when I have [text missing] and impatient and [text missing] not made you as [text missing] as I might have [text missing]. I wish I had always been as good to you as you have been to me. I don't suppose I shall ever have [text missing] nearer to me than [text missing] have been. Somehow, it seems as if you went away when I was dreaming. I realized so little that you were going. I am so glad that everything is so nice and pleasant for you and that all your plans are being carried out. We are getting on well at home. All is peaceful and [text missing] in our little family. [text missing] you wrote about our [text missing] in regard to Willie [her brother], [text missing] write and explain [text missing] a little. I never felt [text missing] that Willie was married [text missing] he loved Mattie very [text missing]. I am and have alawys been very glad he is happ, but I have felt hurt sometimes at things that Mattie has said and done. The time that they stayed here she seemed somehow so [text missing] and unsympathetic [text missing] rather chilled and made me feel unhappy. I don't know why but somehow she never seems to feel very affectionate towards me. I certainly have tried to treat her as kindly as I knew how to do, and it is rather discouraging to have her always act so cool. Perhaps it is only [text missing] way. I had such a [text missing] when they were styaing [text missing] and taking their meals [text missing] so much of the times [text missing] acted as if she was [text missing] with us all. That has [text missing] cross, not that Willie [text missing] married but that his wife was not so congenial as I had thought she would be. I can put up with it however. [text missing] has been in the main [text missing] boy, although he needs [text missing] watching, so that he may [text missing] neglect his work. I suppose all boys are so. He has been doing unusually well of late. We, Sarah [her sister, who had some sort of mental illness or disability] and I, have no trouble. I always could get along well enough with her if I have her all to myself. She has been painting some little pictures for Mrs. Hoxter and Laura. She has nearly finished them. She will make about [text missing] dollars. It seems to [text missing] her up so much [text missing] something to do. Harace [text missing] to be a little lonely, but [text missing] think he is well. I was [text missing] he would be lonesome [text missing]. Had you heard of Mrs. [text missing]'s death? She died some weeks ago. It seems so sad. It will change things at White Salmon a good deal. I am glad you got my [text missing] so that you did not [text missing] long about us. I do [text missing] disagree with you about the joy of having a house of ones own, but until I can marry one whom I truly love I shall continue as I am. I know you would not have me do otherwise. I could never be happy with one whom I simply married because I wanted to have a [text missing] . I trust in the Lord [text missing] wait patiently, kno[wing] [text missing] what has seemed a grief to me may yet come out all right. The church seems to be getting on as usual. Dr. H. preaches all the time. The Van Dersol matter seems to have died, although Mr. V. is still living here. I went once to see Mrs. V. - I felt very sorry for her [text missing]. I will not bid you good night, [text missing] sheet is full. I wish I could [text missing] . Give my love to Margaret and [text missing] me as putting both my [text missing] around your nexk and giving [text missing] kiss. Good by Your loving child, Mary

Forest Grove, Dec 7th 1882.

My beloved Father,

We rec'd a letter from you today, and I wish I could tell you how it cheered my heart, and how much I should love to see your dear precious face. I cannot tell you how much [text missing] and how are you, how [text missing] have always been of [text missing] father. I remember so [text missing] times when I have [text missing] and impatient and [text missing] not made you as [text missing] as I might have [text missing]. I wish I had always been as good to you as you have been to me. I don't suppose I shall ever have [text missing] nearer to me than [text missing] have been. Somehow, it seems as if you went away when I was dreaming. I realized so little that you were going. I am so glad that everything is so nice and pleasant for you and that all your plans are being carried out. We are getting on well at home. All is peaceful and [text missing] in our little family.

[text missing] you wrote about our [text missing] in regard to Willie [her brother], [text missing] write and explain [text missing] a little. I never felt [text missing] that Willie was married [text missing] he loved Mattie very [text missing]. I am and have alawys been very glad he is happ, but I have felt hurt sometimes at things that Mattie has said and done. The time that they stayed here she seemed somehow so [text missing] and unsympathetic [text missing] rather chilled and made me feel unhappy. I don't know why but somehow she never seems to feel very affectionate towards me. I certainly have tried to treat her as kindly as I knew how to do, and it is rather discouraging to have her always act so cool. Perhaps it is only [text missing] way. I had such a [text missing] when they were styaing [text missing] and taking their meals [text missing] so much of the times [text missing] acted as if she was [text missing] with us all. That has [text missing] cross, not that Willie [text missing] married but that his wife was not so congenial as I had thought she would be. I can put up with it however.

[text missing] has been in the main [text missing] boy, although he needs [text missing] watching, so that he may [text missing] neglect his work. I suppose all boys are so. He has been doing unusually well of late.

We, Sarah [her sister, who had some sort of mental illness or disability] and I, have no trouble. I always could get along well enough with her if I have her all to myself. She has been painting some little pictures for Mrs. Hoxter and Laura. She has nearly finished them. She will make about [text missing] dollars. It seems to [text missing] her up so much [text missing] something to do. Harace [text missing] to be a little lonely, but [text missing] think he is well. I was [text missing] he would be lonesome [text missing].

Had you heard of Mrs. [text missing]'s death? She died some weeks ago. It seems so sad. It will change things at White Salmon a good deal. I am glad you got my [text missing] so that you did not [text missing] long about us. I do [text missing] disagree with you about the joy of having a house of ones own, but until I can marry one whom I truly love I shall continue as I am. I know you would not have me do otherwise. I could never be happy with one whom I simply married because I wanted to have a [text missing] . I trust in the Lord [text missing] wait patiently, kno[wing] [text missing] what has seemed a grief to me may yet come out all right.

The church seems to be getting on as usual. Dr. H. preaches all the time. The Van Dersol matter seems to have died, although Mr. V. is still living here. I went once to see Mrs. V. - I felt very sorry for her [text missing].

I will not bid you good night, [text missing] sheet is full. I wish I could [text missing] . Give my love to Margaret and [text missing] me as putting both my [text missing] around your nexk and giving [text missing] kiss.

Good by Your loving child, Mary

Part of Letter from Mary Frances Lyman on family drama, deaths, and single life