Letter from Augusta Bruen, Dayton, OH to Luther Bruen, 1861-08-16
Dayton O. Aug. 16th 1861
So, I must write another letter, must I? I suppose you will have time to get this, for in truth I shall not look for you now till the last of next week.
Another reason for writing is to protest against that new girl. I cannot and am much disposed to say that I will not break my promise with Ernestine; she talks of little else, expects fully to go, and I want her to.
My only consolation in the housekeeping disappointment, was that I should not be troubled with a stranger in the kitchen in spite of the recommendations. The next prospect will, quite as probably as not turn out badly. I shall have to change again and again, and even if she should stay I shall only begin to know her about the time I am coming back._ I admit that Ernestine has many faults, but I know what they are and can manage her better than a stranger. I have engaged her on the terms you yourself proposed and am not at all disposed to change them._ Don't think me unreasonable if you will but take time to think you must see that it is better on the children's account as well as mine, setting aside also the promise made to E.
I won't leave the children with a stranger it is bad enough to be obliged to have them at all.
Now my dear husband I am afraid you are a little angry with me for this opposition to your plans; I would not do it if I could help it. but you cannot always know what I had best do, and a wife ought to think and speak for herself, I know and you also say.
Now then no more about that, I am sure my feelings are plainly expressed.
I should have felt sadly disappointed at receiving your's of the 13th. had I been right well, and fit to make all comfortable for you; as it is I shall have time to recover and be bright and happy on your return, but I hope you will not be delayed longer than next week; I shall have to put on my new thin dresses before you come I am afraid, if they are to be used at all this season. (Maybe you think that is the only reason I want you?)
Mother came for us to ride this evening and I rather think it will be the last time, for John has got such an ugly habit of kicking lately that he is unsafe. We all got out at the corner near Uncle John's and let some one drive him home. He got frightened in the bridge first, and stopt to kick and plunge two or three times on the square. He tried this when Howard drove me out last but he made him behave better.
I did not intend to write much this evening, it is very late, and I have been weak and in pain all day.
Forgive the plain talk dearest, and good-night. More in the morning perhaps,
Augusta
Saturday Morning— nothing to day dearest, and no time to say it in.
Goodbye,
A.
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August 16, 1861
Bruen, Augusta Forrer
Dayton, OH
4 pages
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
Bruen, Augusta Forrer -- Correspondence
Catharine Mitchill '31 Collection of Family Letters, Wellesley College Library, Special Collections
MSS.6.30
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http://repository.wellesley.edu/mitchill/30
