November 2nd, 1863.—Now, while Cousin Julia is with us, I am trying to make things as pleasant as possible for her. All the boys are away in the army, so we have what Aunt Dinah calls “hen parties.” We have been the rounds of the family to dinings; we have had picnics, to which we have taken the children from the various families in the neighborhood, rides on horseback, walks to look for chinquepins and hickory nuts and now we want some evening parties. As Cousin Julia is a minister’s daughter and does not dance or play cards, the question of amusement is a little difficult, but we will play games and next week we will set the ball rolling with a musicale. We have several fine musicians in the neighborhood and mother never fails to have plenty of good things to eat.
Brother Amos and sister Mag are with us and they are splendid help in entertaining. He is still on crutches but is as jolly as a cricket and she is so sweet everybody loves her.
