Newton, Cache Co.
Oct. 18 1874
Dear Sister Jenny,
Your letter came on the 14th I had begun to think that you
must have left your place and had not received mine, but still you know that a letter sent
to Newton will always find me even should I go 500 miles away. I am very glad
to hear that all is so well with you, but how much I would have liked to have been with
you on that 5 mile lonely walk. I suppose that I may as well give up all thoughts of that
kind unless I come to England for it, but I am very sorry to have to think so. Did
you only know some of the things that experience, travel and age have learned me, and that
perhaps 5 years more may learn you, you would not be as contented as you are with your
present lot, but then if you are perfectly satisfied and have no greater hopes or
anticipations, I do not know that I ought to make you dissatisfied with them. I did
hear quite accidently and not directly from him, that Charley was last winter in Montana,
and that he would pass within 15 miles of here on his way south last May, that is all of
any kind I have heard of him since you last wrote. I have just returned from one
weeks visit to Salt Lake City, attending Conference, went there and back by rail. I
farmed very little this summer, crops very light, but my apple trees and small fruits have
done well. At least one half of my time I am travelling around --- still I have
raised all the potatoes I want, 40 Bushel of wheat, 30 of Barley, 12 of Rye. When
you see Bessie again ask her what her brother John has ever done or said that she cannot
write to him or who it is that stands between us. While in Salt Lake last week I saw
Ralph Harrison, (the man who you saw in London from here) for the first time since he
returned, he told me the news that you were the biggest of all three, quite news to me,
but why should it not be so. Harvest here is from July to September--- last winter
was a very hard one, when we all looked for spring to come and the hay was nearly all gone
winter stretched out a little longer and lasted until May, and many sheep and cattle died.
I sent you a rather poor picture of our new school house, it
is not yet quite finished on the outside but we are using it, it is about 50 steps from
our door to it, and right in front, the street between. How would you like to teach
school in it to about 30 or 40 children this winter, and then come over home at 4 o'clock.
The mountains you see at the back are the lowest around this valley. They are
on the west side and not more than 4 miles from the house, but they are higher than they
look. I helped build the house, both by work and means, and am in it every Sunday
once or more. I expect to build me a house of the same kind of Rock, next summer I
hope. I helped rear the scaffold poles, fasten the cross pieces, hauled the shingles
for the roof, helped get up the window and door caps, and took up many of the rocks.
The little streak of white in front is the water ditch, so now you can see some of
my work, and one of our daily views. It is 40 x 25, and we expect to have some good
dances in it this winter. I would like to write you lots of things but cannot
express my sentiments as I would like in writing, it is the letter without the spirit, and
does not fill the want. Hoping you are well and with best love in which Susan joins
to yourself and Bessie and Fanny.
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