Letter 18850710

Letter 18850710

Pittsburgh, Ohio

Sunday afternoon, July the 10, 1885

Dear uncle & aunt,

I take the pleasure of writing you a few lines to let you know how we are all getting along. This lonesome afternoon I was thinking about you folks so I thought I would write. I suppose you have heard of father’s death. He died the 16th of May. I never thought of you folks when father died untill it was to late. I don’t have an idea that you could have come any way. I just thought it couldn’t be possible that we had to give father up. The only parent. It is hard indeed to give up father and mother both. But it isn’t like dying without hope of meeting them in the other world. I think if we live right we can meet them in a better world than this. I think if father had never moved to Miamisburg he would be living yet. Father wasn’t sick very long. He came up to see us 2 weeks before he died. He died at John Allen’s. my stepmother did not come untill after he was dead. We sent for her 4 times. I can’t hardly realize that father is dead. It just seems to me like he was in Miamisburg, none of us children lived with him but Carlton. My brother and I are going to live together. Charles bought a lot in Pittsburgh and is building. The house is done all but casing up. I think we can move in a couple week. I think that will be so much nicer than living with strangers. I would like very much for you to come see us. How are you getting along? It has been so long since I heard from any of you. Since Jane and I have quit corresponding I don’t hear anything. I suppose Jane and Nancy has a family untill this time. I would like so much to see them and all the rest of you. I thought sure I would get to come out before this time. But seems like money is to scarce. I ges after I go to housekeeping, I can’t go for a while anyway. I can hardly wait untill we can move. We just have a lovely place to live. It is in town. But aunt it isn’t in old Pittsburgh where we use to live. It is about a mile from there. It is just a new place. So I ges that is enough of that.

Well aunt how is the crops out there? The corn looks splendid here. Most everything looks well, but the wheat is very poor some places. Mr. Iswongers (?) finished cutting wheat to day. That is where I am staying. I am not working out this summer. I have been fixing for housekeeping. I have worked out so much that I can’t stand much anymore. My health isn’t very good now. But hope it will get better. How is health out there? Has your family been pretty stout.

Well aunt my paper is about full. I ges I have written enough for once. Now please answer right away. Please excuse me for not writing before now. Please excuse from writing and composing, for I was in a hurry. Give my best love to all inquiring friends. Your niece, Altha Delk

Write soon, good by

Oh yes, I forgot to say anything about John’s. They are all well. They have 4 children.