. General Meem, and the second
from Miss Maggie Garland. These letters show the goodness of their
hearts and the frankness of their natures. I trust that they will not
object to the publicity that I give them:

"RUDE'S HILL, Sept. 14, 1867.

"MY DEAR LIZZIE:--I am nearly ashamed of myself for
neglecting to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, and the
very acceptable box of patterns, some weeks ago; but you will
pardon my remissness, I know, for you can imagine what a busy
time I've had all summer, with a house full of company most
of the time, and with very inefficient servants, and in some
departments _none at all_; so I have had to be at times
dining-room servant, house-maid, and the last and most
difficult, dairy-maid. But I have turned that department over
to our gardener, who, though as green at the business as
myself, seems willing to learn, and has been doing the
milking all summer. These are a _few_ of the reasons why I
have not written to you before, for I hope you will always
believe that you occupy a large place in my memory and
affection, whether I write to you or not; and such a poor
correspondent as yourself ought not to complain. Mother, Mag,
Uncle John, and Spot are still with us; the former will pass
the winter with me, but the others all talk of leaving before
long. The approach of winter always scatters our guests, and
we have to spend the long, dreary winters alone. But we are
to have the railroad to Mt. Jackson by Christmas, perhaps
sooner; and then, if we can raise the wind, we can spend a
portion of the winter in the city, and I hope you will find
time to come up and _spend the day_ with me, as we will be
near neighbors. I so seldom indulge in the pleasant task of
writing letters that I scarcely know what will interest my
correspondent, but I flatter myself that _you_ will be glad
to hear anything and everything about us all, so I'll begin
with the children. Hugh has improved a great deal, and is
acknowledged to be the smartest child and the finest looking
in the State; he talks as plainly as I do, and just as
understandingly as a child of ten years old; his nurse often
says we need not set our hearts on that child, he is too
smart ever to be raised; but I trust his _badness_ will save
him, for he is terribly spoilt, as such interesting children