<hi rend="bold">Letter from Cornelia Phillips Spencer to Laura Caroline Phillips, June 14, 1869:</hi> Electronic Edition. Spencer, Cornelia Phillips, 1825-1908 Funding from the University Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill supported the electronic publication of this title. Text transcribed by Bari Helms Images scanned by Bari Helms Text encoded by Brian Dietz First Edition, 2005 ca. 34K The University Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, North Carolina 2005

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 Cornelia Phillips Spencer Papers (#683), Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Letter from Cornelia Phillips Spencer to Laura Caroline Phillips, June 14, 1869 C. P. S. 12 pages, 10 page images 1869 Call number 683 (Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

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 </bibl> </taxonomy> </classDecl> </encodingDesc> <profileDesc> <langUsage> <language id="eng">English</language> </langUsage> <textClass> <keywords scheme="unc_history"> <list> <item> Any special keywords assigned for this project </item> </list> </keywords> </textClass> </profileDesc> <revisionDesc> <change> <date>2005-08-08,</date> <respStmt> <name>Brian Dietz</name> <resp/> </respStmt> <item>finished TEI/XML encoding.</item> </change> </revisionDesc> </teiHeader> <text id="unc09-35"> <body> <div1 type="letter"> <pb id="unc09-35-p01" n="1"/> <head>Letter from <name key="pn0001592" reg="Spencer, Cornelia (née Phillips)" type="person">Cornelia Phillips Spencer</name> to <name key="pn0001362" reg="Phillips, Laura Caroline (née Battle)" type="person" rend="yes">Laura Caroline Phillips</name>, June 14, 1869</head> <opener> <dateline> <name key="name0000165" reg="Chapel Hill, NC" type="place">Chapel Hill</name> <lb/> <date>June 14, '69</date> </dateline> <salute>Dear <name key="pn0001362" reg="Phillips, Laura Caroline (née Battle)" type="person">Laura</name></salute> </opener> <p> It is my wish & intention to write you "a good long letter," but I do not know whether I shall be able to make it either good or long. This is early Monday morning. The wind is blowing "fair & free." & here I remark we have not had much <hi rend="underscore">wind</hi> this spring, & a fresh breeze strikes me as a novelty. There were light showers last night & when I went out just now for a turn in the garden, the larkspurs & white jasmine & holly hocks were in their glory & the cabbages on a broad grin. How sweet it all is, you well know. Do you know that I never can write to you about this old house of yours without a swelling at the heart & often at the eyes. It seems so hard, so incredible that you sh<hi rend="sup">d</hi> have been forced away from it. I am sitting at <hi rend="underscore">your</hi> especial window. The Mimosa is just beginning to bloom. <name key="pn000" reg="Love, Julia Spencer" type="person">June</name> has made up the bed (we sleep in the other room; sit in here) & picked up & put away everything & set both rooms perfectly to rights all but the sweeping w<hi rend="underscore">h</hi> I did myself. I told her just now, I meant to call her "Help." She is <hi rend="underscore">such</hi> a help. She sits near in her little carpet bottom chair, dressing "Lea." One of these windows fell down on her foot last Sat & she is quite lame. How <hi rend="underscore">could</hi> a window fall<pb id="unc09-35-p02" n="2"/>on a body's <hi rend="underscore">foot</hi>? Easy enough when you sit with your bare legs elevated out on the window sill in order to get your feet warmed in the sunshine of a cool morning. <name key="pn000" reg="Love, Julia Spencer" type="person">June</name> is looking not well. Excessively thin, but that may be going to be constitutional. She seems to be well. We miss <name key="pn000" reg="Nora" type="person">Nora</name> <hi rend="underscore">tremendously</hi>, w<hi rend="underscore">h</hi> is the only word to express it. Well, & we have had our Com. & are resting from its pleasing pains & fatigues, while yours is all to come. You never heard of such a grand (& to <hi rend="underscore">us</hi> & <hi rend="underscore">our side</hi>, <hi rend="underscore">delightful</hi>) fizzle as Commencement has been. For two or three weeks the Faculty & the Reds have talked of nothing but the <hi rend="underscore">inauguration</hi>. <name key="pn0000761" reg="Holden, William Woods" type="person">Holden</name> & <name key="x" reg="x" type="person" rend="yes">Grant</name> were both coming. They industriously circulated thro the country that there was to be a free supper given Com. night. <name key="pn0001382" reg="Pool, Cornelia (née Kirkland)" type="person">Mrs Pool</name> said herself she w<hi rend="sup">d</hi> have supper for 100 people. <name key="pn0001382" reg="Pool, Cornelia (née Kirkland)" type="person">Pool</name> ordered hacks to be in waiting at D<hi rend="sup">r</hi> Wed. for forty persons. Nobody came. Thursday Ten <name key="name0000107" reg="Board of Trustees" type="organization">Trustees</name> & seven others arrived. But I believe the Sentinel will tell you all that. I have not seen the S. not sending to the P.O. Sunday, & too early yet to send. But I hear it appeared yesterday. I do not remember a word I wrote to Sentinel. I wrote in such haste & with such vexatious interruptions, I fear it is a little too spiteful. The letters to W<hi rend="sup">m</hi> Journal, & to Presbyn. were written next day & are better. However <hi rend="underscore">we all</hi><pb id="unc09-35-p03" n="3"/>felt like rejoicing no little. <name key="pn000" reg="Rodman" type="person">Rodman</name> was very emphatic with the reminder that these men were here <hi rend="underscore">provisionally</hi>. <name key="pn0000761" reg="Holden, William Woods" type="person">Holden</name> says (said in his speech) the people sh<hi rend="sup">d</hi> be taxed to support the <name key="name0001146" reg="University of North Carolina" type="organization">Uni.</name> if they w<hi rend="sup">d</hi> not patronize it. <name key="pn000" reg="Rodman" type="person">Rodman</name> said in his speech in the afternoon that <hi rend="underscore">could not be done</hi>. <name key="pn000" reg="McIver" type="person">M<hi rend="sup">c</hi>Iver</name> told me this Sat morning (he came & sat a long time) I wish I had known it when I wrote my letters. <name key="pn0001385" reg="Pool, Solomon (b. 1832)" type="person">Pools</name> says (<name key="pn000" reg="McIver" type="person">M<hi rend="sup">c</hi>Iver</name> told me) that <name key="pn000" reg="Rodman" type="person">Rodman</name> did <hi rend="underscore">not</hi> use the word "<hi rend="underscore">provisional</hi>", & encourages himself & his men to hold on. <name key="pn000" reg="McIver" type="person">M<hi rend="sup">c</hi>Iver</name> says he cannot bear to hear them talk. He says he is pretty well satisfied that the game is up here, & their affected security fills him with disgust. I told him if he had heard all <name key="pn000" reg="Kerr, Prof." type="person">Prof Kerr</name> said, he would have been even more certain. <name key="pn000" reg="Kerr, Prof." type="person">Kerr</name> clapped his hands together with exultation when he spoke of <name key="pn000" reg="Rodman" type="person">Rodman's</name> speech — "<hi rend="underscore">Provisional & Temporary</hi>". <name key="pn0001385" reg="Pool, Solomon (b. 1832)" type="person">Pool's</name> speech (prepared for his Inaugural) (<name key="pn000" reg="Kerr, Prof." type="person">Kerr</name> laughed so at the idea of "Installation," saying there never had been any thought of such a thing except in <name key="name0000165" reg="Chapel Hill, NC" type="place">C. Hill</name>) was all I have said of it in the papers. <name key="pn000" reg="McIver" type="person">M<hi rend="sup">c</hi>Iver</name> says it was <hi rend="underscore">sophomorical</hi> <hi rend="underscore">high falutin</hi> & <hi rend="underscore">common-place</hi>. <name key="pn0000761" reg="Holden, William Woods" type="person">Holden</name> went up to him & congratulated him! <name key="pn000" reg="Rodman" type="person">Rodman</name> said not a word. By the way <name key="pn000" reg="R., Judge" type="person">Judge R.</name> sent me a very polite message, wished to call, but being here so few hours cd not get time &c & told <name key="pn000" reg="McIver" type="person">M<hi rend="sup">c</hi>Iver</name> — the "Sketches" were more beautifully written & had more good clear sense<pb id="unc09-35-p04" n="4"/>in them than anything he had read in many a day! Aha! <hi rend="underscore">Also</hi>, <name key="pn000" reg="Kerr, Mr." type="person">Mr. Kerr</name> said they had done immense good & been greatly sought after, & read, & were "delightful." I have had several letters to that effect. One from an <hi rend="underscore">old</hi> student saying at the close "tell your brother he knows not the good he has done by his sketches of the dear <name key="name0001146" reg="University of North Carolina" type="organization">Uni.</name>" I hereby divide the credit between <name key="pn0001357" reg="Phillips, Charles" type="person">Cha<hi rend="sup">s</hi></name> & <name key="pn0001364" reg="Phillips, Samuel Field (2)" type="person">Sam</name> & "make it over j'intly". Well. It was so well d (that was not a tear-drop but <name key="pn000" reg="Love, Julia Spencer" type="person"> <hi rend="underscore">June</hi> </name>, who is fussing now at my hair & wetting it & flirted the water all over everything. She looks over my shoulder very persistent & says, what did you go & tell <name key="pn0001362" reg="Phillips, Laura Caroline (née Battle)" type="person">aunt L.</name> for, that it was me.) It is now after breakfast, nearly 9 & I have just had a visit from <name key="x" reg="x" type="person" rend="yes">Ann Mickle</name>. Such are the interruptions of letter writing. To resume. It was so well-done of <name key="name0000165" reg="Chapel Hill, NC" type="place">C.H.</name> people to stand aloof & let the world see they would not sanction this crew. I am so pleased with the spirit they showed. <name key="pn000" reg="Rodman" type="person">Rodman</name> alluded to the absence of the townsfolk in his speech as another proof of the prostration of & want of confidence in the <name key="name0001146" reg="University of North Carolina" type="organization">Uni</name>. <name key="pn000" reg="W., Ann" type="person">Miss Ann W.</name> spent Com. day with us. I saw old <name key="pn000" reg="W. Mrs." type="person">Mrs. W.</name> Sunday (yesterday) & she said "Some of 'em asked me if I wouldn't go to the Chapel & I said if I did, I'd rise right up in my place & say this is no Commencement & that's no Faculty." <name key="pn000" reg="Saunders, Ann" type="person">Miss Ann Saunders</name> has been (is yet) very ill with typhoid fever, dangerously, I am grieved to say. This is<pb id="unc09-35-p05" n="5"/>the 12<hi rend="sup">th</hi> day. I walked up to inquire after her from S.S. yesterday & coming back to go to Meth. Church, it being too early I stopped in to talk with old <name key="pn000" reg="W., Mrs." type="person">Mrs. W.</name> She looked very smart, sitting with her old Bible & two or three good books on the chair near. It made me think of your Mother so to look at her. <name key="pn000" reg="Jenkins, Reverend" type="person">Rev<hi rend="sup">d</hi> Mr Jenkins</name>, who used to be minister here) is now with his wife on a visit to his old flock. They all seem to love him so. A good crowd at Ch. <name key="pn000" reg="J., Mr." type="person">Mr J.</name> & his wife refused to go near the Chapel! (He said "<name key="pn0001385" reg="Pool, Solomon (b. 1832)" type="person">Pool</name> need not expect Methodists to support him, they were too ashamed of such a representation!") Do you see the W<hi rend="sup">m</hi> Journal? <name key="pn000" reg="Englehardt" type="person">Englehardt</name> has opened a 40 gun battery on the <name key="name0001146" reg="University of North Carolina" type="organization">Uni</name>. Last week it was infested by "pismires", this week, "presided over by nincompoops". <name key="pn000" reg="Carr, Mrs." type="person">Mrs. Carr</name> told me she met <name key="pn000" reg="Woods, Mr." type="person">Woods</name> in the street Com. day. "Well, <name key="pn000" reg="Woods, Mr." type="person">Mr Woods</name> this looks like our Com. didn't it". Oh, says <name key="pn000" reg="Woods, Mr." type="person">W.</name>, "Its all them horrid pieces in the papers that has done it. W<hi rend="sup">m</hi> Journal is out today with a <hi rend="underscore">most horrid</hi> piece, & I expect <name key="pn0001592" reg="Spencer, Cornelia (née Phillips)" type="person">Mrs Spencer</name> is swallowing it down like hot cakes this minute." You all read the "appeal" of course. Well, it <hi rend="underscore">hurt</hi> more than anything that has yet appeared. Touch a man's pocket, his receipts, & you touch a vital point. <name key="pn0001385" reg="Pool, Solomon (b. 1832)" type="person">Pool</name> & his subs were <hi rend="underscore">furious</hi>. <name key="pn000" reg="Kerr, Mr." type="person">Mr Kerr</name> said it had a good effect abroad. <name key="pn000" reg="McIver," type="person">M<hi rend="sup">c</hi>Iver</name> said it was <hi rend="underscore">powerful</hi>, he thought it the finest written thing of the kind he ever saw &<pb id="unc09-35-p06" n="6"/><hi rend="underscore">worthy of <name key="pn0000113" reg="Battle, Junius C." type="person">Junius</name></hi>, & moreover only one person in the <name key="name0000745" reg="North Carolina" type="place">State</name> c<hi rend="sup">d</hi> have written it & that was <hi rend="underscore"> <name key="pn0000795" reg="Hubbard, Fordyce Mitchell" type="person">D<hi rend="sup">r</hi> Hubbard</name> </hi>. That <name key="pn0001385" reg="Pool, Solomon (b. 1832)" type="person">Mr Pool</name> was positive <name key="pn0000795" reg="Hubbard, Fordyce Mitchell" type="person">D<hi rend="sup">r</hi> H.</name> wrote it & so was he. I replied that I could answer for <name reg="Hubbard, Fordyce Mitchell" key="pn0000795" type="person">D<hi rend="sup">r</hi> H.</name> that he never saw it till it was in print. <name key="pn000" reg="McIver" type="person">M<hi rend="sup">c</hi>Iver</name> said I must be mistaken. Well, <name key="pn0001385" reg="Pool, Solomon (b. 1832)" type="person">Pool</name> & <name key="pn000" reg="Mason" type="person">Mason</name> got up a rejoinder in the Standard, the most scurrilous thing I am told that has ever appeared. Attacking <name key="pn0000795" reg="Hubbard, Fordyce Mitchell" type="person">D<hi rend="sup">r</hi> H</name> & <name key="pn0000043" reg="Argo, Thomas M." type="person">Argo</name> & all the old Faculty & <hi rend="underscore">me</hi> & everything connected with the old times. The old Faculty plundered the college. My brothers beneficiaries & I educated at its expense & now showing my ingratitude by writing it down, <name key="pn0001194" reg="Mitchell, Elisha" type="person">D<hi rend="sup">r</hi> Mitchell</name> chief robber & plunderer, <name key="pn0000795" reg="Hubbard, Fordyce Mitchell" type="person">D<hi rend="sup">r</hi> H.</name> "loitering round" here now in hopes of getting back, <name key="pn0000043" reg="Argo, Thomas M." type="person">Argo</name> sucking a living out of somebody, &c. I have not seen it nor w<hi rend="sup">d</hi> read a line. Every body is laughing over it. <name key="pn000" reg="McIver," type="person">M<hi rend="sup">c</hi>Iver</name> is sick, sick, sick! Soon after <name key="pn0000795" reg="Hubbard, Fordyce Mitchell" type="person">D<hi rend="sup">r</hi> H.</name> came he asked his opinion privately about resigning. <name key="pn0000795" reg="Hubbard, Fordyce Mitchell" type="person">D<hi rend="sup">r</hi></name> advised him to hold on <hi rend="underscore">for the present</hi>. He says <name key="pn000" reg="Brewer," type="person">Brewer</name> is going off to <name key="name0003089" reg="Cornell University" type="organization">Cornell Uni.</name> & <name key="name0001257" reg="Yale University" type="organization">Yale Coll</name> & around generally to get up "plans & ideas". I asked how he was to put them in operation. Said he did'nt know. I said why did'nt he go too, all of em ought to go together & I would write their travels for them when they returned & entitle it "Travels of a Faculty in search of a College.["] <name key="pn000" reg="McIver," type="person">M<hi rend="sup">c</hi>Iver</name> laughs<pb id="unc09-35-p07" n="7"/>at it so much as anybody. He is getting excluded from <name key="pn0001385" reg="Pool, Solomon (b. 1832)" type="person">Mr. Pool's</name> "ring". He is so universally excepted in all the attacks that the others are getting sore & stiff towards him. He told me Sat. he hardly ever saw any of them now. But that in F meetings they talked boastfully as ever. He has been made one of <hi rend="underscore">the <name key="name000" reg="Chapel Hill Railroad" type="organization">C. Hill R.R.</name> directors</hi>. And votes against <name key="pn0001385" reg="Pool, Solomon (b. 1832)" type="person">Pool</name>! <name key="pn0001385" reg="Pool, Solomon (b. 1832)" type="person">Pool</name> is aghast at his temerity. <name key="pn000" reg="McIver," type="person">M<hi rend="sup">c</hi>I.</name> puts out his under lip & goes on. Do you know <name key="pn0000761" reg="Holden, William Woods" type="person">Holden</name> has refused to issue the R.R. bonds. Do you know why? I dare say you don't, so I'll tell you. You do know that <name key="pn000" reg="Thompson," type="person">Thompson</name> voted for himself for President. Well, and so <name key="pn0000761" reg="Holden, William Woods" type="person">Holden</name> wanted <name key="pn0000043" reg="Argo, Thomas M." type="person">Argo</name> President. On the issue of the election <name key="pn0000761" reg="Holden, William Woods" type="person">Holden</name> insisted that the votes sh<hi rend="sup">d</hi> be published. Now the attorney General (by <name key="pn0000761" reg="Holden, William Woods" type="person">Holden's</name> direction) has taken the ground that there is no lawful inauguration of the R.R. Directors replied that there was, Directors, President, all quite regular. Atty. Gen. replied that no man c<hi rend="sup">d</hi> vote himself into office & the election of <name key="pn000" reg="Thompson" type="person">Thompson</name> was illegal & a farce, & so instructed <name key="pn0000761" reg="Holden, William Woods" type="person">Gov H.</name> who thereupon refused to issue the bonds <hi rend="underscore">on that ground</hi>. It is before the <name key="name0000781" reg="North Carolina Supreme Court" type="organization">S. Court</name> now, & <name key="pn000" reg="McIver" type="person">M<hi rend="sup">c</hi>Iver</name> says he hopes the Atty. G. will argue that point in court. He thinks <name key="pn000" reg="Thompson," type="person">Thompson's</name> behaviour on the occasion disgraceful & "contemptible" & says he told <name key="pn0001385" reg="Pool, Solomon (b. 1832)" type="person">Pool</name> the other day he wd not be Director under a President who had voted himself in. <name key="pn000" reg="McIver" type="person">M<hi rend="sup">c</hi>Iver</name> never<pb id="unc09-35-p08" n="8"/> had heard how <name key="pn000" reg="Thompson" type="person">T.</name> got the place till this move of <name key="pn0000761" reg="Holden, William Woods" type="person">Holden's</name>! He & <name key="pn0000043" reg="Argo, Thomas M." type="person">Argo</name> read Law together but <name key="pn0000043" reg="Argo, Thomas M." type="person">Argo</name> never had mentioned the story, supposing of course that he knew it. Oh, let me not forget to mention that <hi rend="underscore"> <name key="pn000" reg="Mason" type="person">Mason</name> </hi> went up on the Stage Com. day & sat down among the <name key="name0000107" reg="Board of Trustees" type="organization">Trustees</name>! Town folks so mad about it. And it is a fact that the furniture was taken out of the <name key="name0000284" reg="Dialectic Society" type="organization">Di</name> & <name key="name0000869" reg="Philanthropic Society" type="organization">Phi</name> Halls for the Faculty parlors, & a fact that <name key="pn0003383" reg="Patrick, David Settle" type="person">Patrick</name> <hi rend="underscore">burst open</hi> the <name key="name0000869" reg="Philanthropic Society" type="organization">Phi</name> Hall to get the velvet rugs & a piece of carpeting. He had taken the large velvet arm chairs, but on consideration, sent them back, Wed. evening. I asked <name key="pn000" reg="Barham, William" type="person">W<hi rend="sup">m</hi> Barham</name>, (who <hi rend="underscore">resigned</hi> Friday, & can therefore speak out) if it was all true & he said it was. It was done openly the Sat. before, the servants carrying the things about in broad daylight. <name key="pn0001179" reg="Mickle, Andrew" type="person">Mr Mickle</name> has let <name key="pn0003383" reg="Patrick, David Settle" type="person">Patrick</name> have all <name key="pn0001096" reg="Martin, William James" type="person">Mr Martin's</name> furniture. I am surprised <name key="pn0001096" reg="Martin, William James" type="person">Martin</name> w<hi rend="sup">d</hi> let it go if there is any chance of his returning to this State. <name key="pn000" reg="Barham, William" type="person">Barham</name> said <name key="pn000" reg="Patrick, Mrs." type="person">Mrs Patrick</name> said in his hearing, "Wait till she got her parlor fixed & she w<hi rend="sup">d</hi> be as big a frog as any in the pond". You never saw people more enraged than our villagers over that furniture raid at College. <name key="pn000" reg="McIver" type="person">M<hi rend="sup">c</hi>Iver</name> declined to join it & is reported to have said when it was proposed, that the <name key="name0000107" reg="Board of Trustees" type="organization">Trustees</name> might sit on split-bottomed chairs at his house before he wd— use the Societies' things.</p> <pb id="unc09-35-p09" n="9"/> <p>Have just read Sat.'<hi rend="sup">s</hi> Sentinel. My account of Com. is <hi rend="underscore">not</hi> as sharp as I thought it was. Perhaps all the better for that. I'll try to send you W<hi rend="sup">m</hi> Journal. I send with this the Biblical Recorder on the situation. <name key="pn0001357" reg="Phillips, Charles" type="person">Ch<hi rend="sup">s</hi></name> must read "<hi rend="underscore">Item</hi>" & tell me what he thinks. I wish your Com. was over. I hope you will give me as full an acct as I have of ours. I am not afraid of tiring you by any over-minuteness about our doings. A fine state of things for a letter written when he feels that he cannot say too much. I only wish I c<hi rend="sup">d</hi> stereotype this letter for all the other ex-C. Hillians, <name key="pn000" reg="Eliza" type="person">Eliza</name> & <name key="pn000" reg="M., Mrs." type="person">Mrs M.</name>, <name key="pn0001640" reg="Swain, Eleanor (née White)" type="person">Mrs Swain</name>, <name key="pn000" reg="Battle, Martha Ann "Pattie"" type="person">Mrs Battle</name>, all. I had a pleasant letter from <name key="pn0001640" reg="Swain, Eleanor (née White)" type="person">Mrs. Swain</name> Sat. I wrote to her on old Com. day, & she was <hi rend="underscore">much</hi> gratified. <name key="pn0000056" reg="Atkins, Eleanor "Ellie" (née Swain)" type="person">Ellie</name> has a <hi rend="underscore">daughter</hi>, born near the anniversary of the boy's death. <name key="pn0001640" reg="Swain, Eleanor (née White)" type="person">Mrs Swain</name> compliments <name key="pn0000795" reg="Hubbard, Fordyce Mitchell" type="person">D<hi rend="sup">r</hi> Hubbard</name> so for writing the "appeal"!</p> <p>I have read your letter about <name key="pn000" reg="Smith, Mrs." type="person">Mrs Smith's</name> & <name key="pn000" reg="Margaret" type="person">Marg<hi rend="sup">t</hi></name> visit to half a dozen of your old friends. All <hi rend="underscore">so</hi> pleased & interested in it. <name key="pn000" reg="Cave, Mrs." type="person">Mrs Cave</name> among others. She returned last Tuesday — been at <name key="pn000" reg="Emily" type="person">Emily's</name> ever since Nov. Came to see us Friday with <name key="x" reg="x" type="person" rend="yes">Mrs. Caro. Patterson</name> & very pleasant. Asked 100 questions about you & all other old neighbors now departed. She looks <hi rend="underscore">very</hi> well. Is going back to <name key="name0000205" reg="Clinton, NC" type="place">Clinton</name>. <name key="x" reg="x" type="person" rend="yes">Jane G's</name> health is better just now.</p> <pb id="unc09-35-p10" n="10"/> <p><name key="pn000" reg="Davis, Washington" type="person">Wash. Davis's</name> family is having chills & fever. That lot of <name key="pn000" reg="Smith," type="person">Smith's</name> is not a healthy one. I know how you must have enjoyed seeing <name key="pn000" reg="Smith, Mrs." type="person">Mrs S.</name> How near & dear to each other you all must have felt. <name key="pn000" reg="E" type="person">E.</name> writes cheerfully about <name key="pn000" reg="Mary" type="person">Mary</name>, & I trust she will be quite restored. Her illness & the disease itself weighed upon my mind. I was frightened for her. I wish she w<hi rend="sup">d</hi> come by <name key="name0000165" reg="Chapel Hill, NC" type="place">C.H.</name> on her way back. Would she? I forgot to tell you that <name key="pn000" reg="Buxton, Ralph" type="person">Ralph Buxton</name> brought his wife to see me. Very pleasant, he was so cordial & seemed so glad. Says <name key="x" reg="x" type="person" rend="yes">Mrs Hall</name> & <name key="pn000" reg="Hall, Mrs." type="person">Mary</name> both look badly, old & feeble & sad. <name key="pn000" reg="Buxton, Mrs." type="person">Mrs B.</name> is <hi rend="underscore">very</hi> pretty & very gay & smart & patronizing. You know she writes for Standard. "<gap reason="[unrecovered]"/>" — & they say the "grey mare is the better horse" altogether. They & <name key="pn000" reg="Rodman" type="person">Rodman</name> & <name key="pn000" reg="Kerr" type="person">Kerr</name> staid at <name key="pn000" reg="McIver" type="person">M<hi rend="sup">c</hi>Iver's</name>. I <hi rend="underscore">would</hi> like to know how they were entertaind. <name key="pn000" reg="McIver, Mrs." type="person">Mrs M<hi rend="sup">c</hi></name> has no servant but the girl she bo't from <name key="pn000" reg="D" type="person">D</name>. I have seen her in but 2 frocks, one she had on in her <hi rend="underscore">one</hi> round of call-making, the other, the same old purple calico she had on at <name key="pn000" reg="D" type="person">D.</name> with dingy red flannel sleeves peeping out at the wrists. She wears low-gartered home-made shoes & so does her little girl, & home knit stockings with a white frock & rather fine hat! The child does look piteously. These fine people wear things Patricks & Pools rather look down on the McIvers you may depend. I think <hi rend="underscore"> <name key="pn000" reg="Brewer" type="person">Brewer</name> </hi> is next to <name key="x" reg="x" type="person" rend="yes">M<hi rend="sup">c</hi>I.</name> the best of the bunch. But think of the M<hi rend="sup">c</hi>Ivers being <hi rend="underscore">the best</hi>. However you may rely on it <name key="pn000" reg="McIver, Mr." type="person">Mr M<hi rend="sup">c</hi>Iver</name> is a good & reliable man.</p> <p><name key="pn000" reg="Love, Julia Spencer" type="person">June</name> is now busy teaching <name key="x" reg="x" type="person" rend="yes">Cely</name> to write, working very hard with her. I miss <name key="pn000" reg="Nora" type="person">Nora</name> as I said, & love the child dearly, but I do enjoy having <name key="pn000" reg="Love, Julia Spencer" type="person">June</name> all to myself a while! Selfish witch! Yes, I know it. <name key="pn000" reg="F., Kate" type="person">Kate F.</name> writes that her engagement is <hi rend="underscore">not</hi> broken off, but admits there is a coolness. <name key="pn000" reg="Carr, Jule" type="person">Jule Carr</name> in my opinion has no idea of "stepping in." He told me if it <hi rend="underscore">had'nt been for him & <name key="pn000" reg="Phillips, Mollie" type="person">Miss Mollie Phillips</name></hi> it would have been broken off 8 <hi rend="sup">mos</hi> ago. Do make a face at that as I did (without letting <name key="x" reg="x" type="person" rend="yes">M.</name> see you). <name key="pn000" reg="Carr, Tank" type="person">Tank Carr</name> is going to <name key="x" reg="x" type="person" rend="yes">Henderson</name> next session. The Carrs w<hi rend="sup">d</hi> object violently to <name key="pn000" reg="Carr, Jule" type="person">Jule's</name> marrying <name key="pn000" reg="Kate" type="person">Kate</name>!</p> <p>Best love to all. Do let me hear from some of you soon. 1000 kisses to Sue from me & <name key="pn000" reg="Love, Julia Spencer" type="person">June</name>.</p> <closer> <salute>Ever yours,</salute> <signed> <name key="pn0001592" reg="Spencer, Cornelia (née Phillips)" type="person"><hi rend="underscore">C</hi>.<hi rend="underscore">P</hi>.<hi rend="underscore">S</hi>.</name> </signed> </closer> </div1> <div1 type="postscript"> <pb id="unc09-35-p11" n="11"/> <p><name key="pn000" reg="Barham, William" type="person">W<hi rend="sup">m</hi> Barham</name> <hi rend="underscore">resigned</hi> for want of pay. No money for the coming. Is going to <name key="name000" reg="Wilmington" type="place">Wil</name> as as as he can borrow money to pay expenses.</p> </div1> <div1 type="postscript"> <pb id="unc09-35-p12" n="12"/> <p>No news of your white-handled knife. There is an old <hi rend="underscore">larger</hi> table knife of yours here.</p> </div1> </body> </text> </TEI.2>