Emma Spaulding Bryant Letters
An On-line Archival Collection
Special Collections Library, Duke University

Cleveland July 26, 1873
Saturday Morning

My Darling Husband.

I am in that wonderful and (to me) almost unprecedented situation when I have plenty of leisure for letter writing and I mean to bring up all of my old [...]. I do not hear regularly from you now that I am here your letters going first to Wakeman. I received a satchel of clothing from Lucy yesterday evening enclosing a letter from you and one from my cousin in Ohio.

She writes me that her only sister [...] died since I was last there and that her brother is declining in consumption - her mother is [...] dead and she will be left quite alone save for her father and her husband and children. I feel doubly anxious to go to visit her under such circumstances and shall make my arrangements to do so. I feel quite uneasy at the time that in being consumed here for I have not finished the photograph of Ella and I have made all my arrangements to leave Wakeman about the 7 or 8 next month - if my money reaches me in season.

I trust that it will [...] will be much [...] if we do not go then for [...] is to come on the 9, to spend a few days with him and the only room for her is the one that I occupy.

I received a postal card from Lucy this morning which cheered me somewhat about the baby and I think I will send it to you. I have such a loneliness without her at night that cannot sleep at all any more. I have an impression that I have been here a week but I came only day before yesterday you may judge that I find doctoring lonesome work. Do not think however that I will feel it so much now that I have [...]. Indeed this day has thus far passed much more rapidly than yesterday. This morning after my visit at the Dr.'s office I took a long walk and car ride through the city - called at Charlie Lunn's place of business and delivered a letter which his mother had sent - He is Mrs. Learie's second child. Have engaged to go to church with him tomorrow.

My time would have hung very heavy had not Dr. Sanders taken pity on me by taking me out riding when he went to visit his patients yesterday and this evening at 4 o'clock. He has promised to take me out again. I felt a little hesitation about accepting his offer and therefore consulted the matron of the hospital, who thought there was no objection to it - I so seldom ride by private conveyance that it has been a real treat to me. I think I will close this letter being as I hope to send it by one of the [ ...]. Did you receive the letter that went yesterday. With loving [...].

Bye Darling,

Emma

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