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- LETTER BY RUTH HIBBARD SNOW.
The only letter extant from the hand of Russ Snow's wife, Ruth (Hibbard) Snow, is the following, written some time in 1835 to her husband while he was making the new home for her in Ohio. It is an affectionate, womanly letter, full of love and trust and anticipation of meeting her spouse in the new country. It shows, too, the fine wholesome spirit pervading her family, which was always, as posterity has reason to, know, ideal in its home relations.
(Sometime in 1835.)
Dear Husband.
I have written to you as you requested .it Buffalo, but you left before you had time to receive it. Our letter was mailed March 30—was sorry to hear you had not heard from home since you went away, and did not have the money as you wished. Spoke in favor of your having it, but Henry has told you the particulars. Says he will try to get it. when he hears from you again—thinks a few months wont make much difference. He wrote you two letters at Boston, Mr. Porter two. I have been to make Mr. Porter a visit 'went down Friday' came home Wednesday, which was the first day of April ; had old Spot; came up alone except two of the little girls with me. Mr. Porter has broken up housekeeping, will leave the place soon. I told you in my other letter what I had done respecting sending the girls to school. They have been gone eight weeks. I have not seen them since they went away. Payson has been to see them, they were well and contented; will stay the quarter. My health about the same as when I wrote before. I think as much about you as ever. My house and garden and all that has looked so pleasant to me is all nothing without you. I am lonesome with ten thousand all around me, but not more so than you are, don't expect. They are all kind to me ; can have anything I wish for. You don't say anything about coming home yet. Henry says you may have the place again if you wish to come back. Act your pleasure, I will try to be content with whatever you think best. I expect you will get my other letter and answer it before you have this. You will see that my hand trembles a little. Let the time be short as you can before we meet. I have told you if you bought a new place to put up a log house, —I had rather live in a log house with you than live in a palace without you. Give my respects to Mr. Bailey and wife. Am glad you have found old friends. The children are well, I have asked them what I should write for them. Owen says, tell pa he is willing to go; Holland says, he would give a million of dollars to see his pa, but tell him to keep a stiff upper lip. Orpha comes along with a tear in her eye and says she wants to see pa more than she does the girls, but tell him Maine is remarkably healthy. They all send their love to pa. From your affectionate
Ruth Hibbard.
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