I have just finished a letter to Grandmama, and it is quite late, but I will try, and finish tonight. Last Friday after getting in the church, & the rain continued to pour, and the wind to blow, at last we thought we had better try & get home at any rate, for it might rain all day—Mr Gibbs came home with me, and oh such walking, and such wind—he came in & spent about half an hour, in which time the rain abated, and he left—it rained off and on all day, Mr Gibbs and I were going to take a buggy ride—had not the rain prevented—After supper, the girls all had a fair—we all went—I enjoyed it very much—Aunt Mary & Uncle George left early—I stayed 'til 12 o’clock Mr Gibbs won a very pretty dressing & writing case together, and gave it to me—Mr John Holms, gave me a doll—Mr Walker a beautiful bunch of flowers, and a paper of candy, Mr Gibbs a pretty little bunch of flowers, and I had my name entered for a chance, six or seven times—took an oyster supper and came home—I forgot to mention my letters, one Mr Gibbs wrote, one was written by some one, & signed “Joe”—one I think Carrie wrote—and I do not know who wrote the other—Saturday I spent over at Cousin Cates—in the evening Mr Gibbs and I were to take a ride, but I thought it would be too cold—Mr Jimmie Wright called in the morning, spent half an hour or so, I really believe he dislikes me, I am sure I do not see what I have done to cause it, but I do not wonder, I would sooner wonder if he or any one liked me—but one good it will not break my heart—Mr Phifer asked me to go to the “Hippodrome” with him Saturday night, if all the girls went, he wrote me more in the morning they did not intend going—Late in the evening Cousin Jesse and I walked down street a little and as we were returning we met Carrie, Matilda, and Sue—we had not gone far before Mr Gibbs joined me, and Mr Walker Matilda—we took a little walk, and returned—after ten Lizzie and Carrie came over for me to go down street, to have a little fun on Christmas eve—Lizzie, Carrie, Alice, Sue, Matilda & I, Mr Cobb, Mr Jimmie W., Mr Charles Bradly, Mr Swan, and Mr Gibbs and Cousin Jesse—and walking up street, going in stores, getting, & popping crackers, and such fun as we did have—Mr Cobb and I walked together down street—we then all went to Dr Wrights, and shot off the fire chackers, fire works &c, then took a little walk, and spent some time but in vain tying to hear the “Hippodrome” music, then back to Dr Wrights again, and spent a short while, then another walk down street and then home, Mr Swan walked home with me—Sunday went to church twice but must confess did not hear much, for felt so sad and badly all day—Cousin Jesse walked home with me—Monday morning Miss Kenedy & Miss Moore, called, Mr Langdon, Louis and Mr Strange—Mr Bradly and Dr Lippet, Cousin Cate spent the day us, & Mrs Henrietta—In the evening Mr Gibbs had made an engagement to go to ride with me, so I got all ready to go, & he did not come, I am sure I did not care—Mr Willie Hall called after dinner to see me—and Alice and Mr London Called quite late and asked me to go and spend the evening with her—Mr Parsly sent to go with me, I went and spent a pleasant evening—came home about ½ 12 o’clock—most of the young people there—I did not get up this morning 'til past 11 o’clock, I think—Mrs Ranking, & someone else called this morning—I only saw Mrs Ranking as I had just got up when the other one came—I received an invitation to spend the evening at Mrs Cousins, this evening, but as I did not know any of them, and they had never called on me I did not go, I was sorry for I would have enjoyed it, I think—Mr Willie Hall sent to go with me—Have an invitation to a large party at Mr Nixsons tomorrow night hope I will go and spend a very pleasant evening—I am the only person awake in the whole house, I expect—for it is quite late, and Uncle George has not come home for the night—Aunt Mary and the children all asleep, and Malvina is off at a party—Just to think the Tarboro ball is over, and I missed it all. I know I would have enjoyed it—Wonder why [Jan] does not write to me—I have been from home five weeks or more, and have not received a line from her—I love her, and therefore am sorry she does not—but if the silence continues, I think it will weaken soon—I have truly loved her for a long, long, time—

“Thus year by year, and day by day,”

“Some friends still trusted drops away.”

But I will indulge in sad thoughts any longer, for they have had the upper had of me for some time passed, I will try and look on the bright side more, for it is much the best—I do not feel in the least sleepy, but I know it is high time I was in bed, for it is so hard for me to rise in the mornings—so I will say good night—and off to bed and to sleep too I hope—