Hill Country Living
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Hill Country Living
By Coulter Fussell
It’s a Wagner Week and matriarch Maria really lays it on thick to son John.
Water Valley
March 2nd, 1884
My Dear Son,
I am so hoarse, I can’t speak but only one word in a sentence so now is my time to write. We all have colds. Grandma is still in bed but better. Aunt Ella said she was like you, she just studied something to eat. Aunt Ella is almost sick with cold.
Aunt Mary moved back to Oxford last week. John is in town, he rooms with the “priest” and Mr. Huiser. He eats at Ms. Powel’s up close to town, she sold her place and made out, she was glad to get anything from Mr. V.
This time last Sunday I was over at Henry’s, poor man. He is gone. I expect that the last time you saw him he looked so much like living as anyone around, but so it is we have no lease on life.
I am so glad you are trying to please your father. He is proud to hear it. God has been very good to us, he has spared us our father and husband and taken others of this family. Now He will expect us to show our thankfulness and appreciation in return. You can by applying yourself to your studies. I feel sure you will do it and I know you will never regret it.
I did not read any of Gene McClarty’s letters so I can’t express myself on his ability as a correspondent. I think like you, Harvey D. will be a man if he lives and his mother is so anxious for him to be a good one.
Hiram will return to his school this week. I feel so sorry for him. It seems so hard for one afflicted as he is to be left without father or mother. Aunt Mamie is as good and kind to them as if they were her own.
Mr Painter’s family is going to Memphis this week. They will live there. They have certainly moved about a lot.
We have had cold weather all last week. It snowed and froze and has not been warm since the changes. I have thought of you so often, my nose so sore I could hardly wipe it and yet obliged to do so. I keep a big rag in my lap. How is the weather with you?
Papa says he is bothered a good deal and hopes you will study and learn that he is depending on you growing up to be a useful good man. He has so much on his mind and so much depending on him. He feels like when you are older you will relieve him some if he lives to see the time and that is something we cannot tell. I am anxious to see you, but the time is passing by. It will soon be June and if we are profitably employed it surpasses, so goodbye, God bless you and protect you from harm is the desire of your own loving,
Mother
