Letter from Helen Berry to Ada, October 13, 1873

Letter from Helen Berry to Ada, October 13, 1873

A letter from Helen Berry to her granddaughter, Ada discussing Brompton.

Berry, Helen

1873-10-13

Brompton

Oct 13th / 73

I’ve endur’d much anxiety to hear from you all, my dearest Ada, and am very much obliged to you for writing when you did. There was much in yr letter to trouble me tho I had no right to expect otherwise yet still we suffer ourselves to hope for favorable turns, when we can’t see wch way the clouds [run?].

I was griev’d when I found dear Rose was not in town at school. Knowing what that signified, and, still more perhaps to find she cannot see her present—certainly not her future interest in taking advantage of the smallest op— [[end page]] [[start page]] portunity to keep—at any sacrifice what she already knows. It is a real sorrow to see young people so oblivious to their best interests as there is nothing so honorable now as to be self supporting. A chance may linger, but it is sure to come when a situation will be offer’d and then to be able to take it confident in the ability to discharge the duties. I wish I cld open dear Rose eyes.

I left White Post on Saturday 4th and got to Alex at dark by the Manassas road, found [Hally?] as usual nursing that poor wretched Arthur in a bad attack. I went to [ch?] on Sunday and intended going to Georgetown on Monday but an unceasing rain fell all day [[end page]] [[start page]] and Tuesday I had to buy an article or two so cld’nt go to G. at all, as I was coming down to F. on Wednesday being perfectly bankrupt in clothes as well as in money. Arthur was no better when I left on Wednesday morning in the boat, trains run at night wch dont suit me. At 10’oclock I found [illegible] in the midst of my friends who met me at the depot yr aunt Helen. Helen Lane, [Ellen Scott?] John Berry, Lizzie and Nelly [name?]. I found to my surprize that Brompton was not [illegible] comfortable enough to stay permanently at so they were at Mrs. S. but I encouraged yr aunt H. to come up wch she did, leaving Helen. Every thing was here wch we needed, plenty of servants so [[end page]] [[start page]] [illegible] house with its [bowery?] and [flowing] beauties around it, [illegibile] in the distance it is captivating and make me feel afraid I shall be false to my life-long love of the mountains. There is as yet one great deficiency—no [matter?] in [illegible] they tell me when the leaves fall the Rap. [cannot be seen?]—that dont compensate for the present want tho.

Lila Wash. is at Mrs. S. and Helen with Lila have gone over to Mr Kellys to pass the day. Mr. L. sale was a great success every thing was sold splendidly—I say because he had the character of taking care of his substance. John Berry is perfectly charming—handsome too. I shld never have recognized him. Pink and Helen came out the other eve. [Surely?] Pink is as sweet as [[end page]] [[start page]] a pink. Every thing is in confusion here—nothing in its place we live in moving style. Tho I dont object. Alcinda and her six with a fine “grounds” [fixes?] are kept busy, [farm?] cows keep plenty of cream and butter and buttermilk tell dear Rose for the memory of hers is still on my palate. [Muzzy?] deserved the rebuke but I hope there was no asperity in it. He was right to refuse the distinction offer’d him in the interesting bargain to be ratified on the 22nd. I hope dear little [Mat?] is at his books. You said nothing of the Billings. Why? It [seems?] hard when such in [illegible] taught girls are [illegible] situated. The Bells for instance. But Ada let me implore you to study yr time will come. Tell yr ma to write me and give love to dear Rose and Matt and as ever yr loving grandma [[end page]]

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