Christmas Eve 1887My dear Katie

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Wish you a merry xmast! Well Christmas has come and gone without making you or I any the richer. I suppose you would like to know what the children got; well I will commence with the smallest and "go up." Bessie from Rhett a Rubber rattle box; Ray a pair of mittens a book a fancy comb (a card from his S.S. teacher) and a box containing cattle trees &c to represent a farm house, Rhett a pair of shoes and rubbers and mittens a book a comb and also a card, Carrie a glass

cup from Miss Carroll a Xmas card from Miss Hazen and one from Myra a perfumery bag from Florence and Hattie and a nice silk handkerchief that we gave a dollar for. Thorp came for Isa this morning and they have gone over to Mr Thorps to spend the day_ Papa did not go over the Lake the past week but will go Wednesday, Rhett will go with him, I have not tried to get any money for you for I am going to wait and see what luck he has selling the hay; the oxen he has sold and will go to morrow for $115. I am in hopes we can raise enough to meet all our dues prompt. Tuesday papa and Earnest go to Richmond to meet the other Jerseys

Did you go to Hyde Park last night and how

many "nice presents did you get" Miss Barton is stopping in the place at present. says she is invitted to remain two weeks, she has visitted Isa's school twice. she took a very active part in helping arranging the tree, I saw her there last night, said she was very tired. I left baby with papa last night. in the fornoon, I went to the Boro and Isa took care of her, in the afternoon I did my washing, so you see I had a very busy day Some one just to show their meanness put a large ray baby in an envelope box and put it on the tree for Isa I would not let her open it at the church, for I mistrusted it was some mean trick, so she waitted untill we got home,

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she open the box and then the stove, we did not intend any one would find it out but Carrie says they were all talking about it at church for Abbie overheard Frank Barrett telling Hat & Florence that he did it We all think it shamfull a stranger to be treated so. I see by the Boro paper that you have had a class picture taken We will take comfort when you get home, I begin to count the days for you have been gone so long and it will seem as though I might get out once in a while

With much love yourMa