Laurinburg NC, Feb 2nd 1891

My Dear Brother

Mary has been "talking" at me for two weeks about writing to you, but I did not want to write again until I could tell you about what we were going to do. In the first place I thought we would never get a house, then we could not dispose of the mules, and had to sell for $48 less than we could have sold for in Nov. $100 (if) on time. But Jeff bought his supplies from Gus Shaw who is selling to the farmers for a Mr. Wilmington firm, (he would sell to the merchants too only they are so anoid they wont buy and he got them cheaper than one could buy at L.(Laurinburg?) and lets us have coffee, sugar, flour, soap, soda, starch, & matches at same price he pays. He proposed doing that and we thought it best. We expect to move next week at least Mary says we will. She wrote a note to Mr. Goodwin Saturday telling him we would move 11th of this month. I think they intended keeping the house until they get their house ready and they only commenced work about two weeks ago and it is a large house. Mrs Goodwin came to see us two weeks ago and insisted that we let them have the house a month longer, but we did not say we would, and Mary says she will move next week. (She has taken charge.) I do not think we will have any trouble with them. Dunk I cant begin to tell you all the worry and trouble I have had since you left. Some times I thought it was almost more than I could bear. The uncertainty and unsettledness (if there is such a word I think there should be) were very trying, and then, I had no one to talk to as I could to you, and I could not write it to you for I knew you had cares enough of your own, and yours ever worse than ours for you had sickness and we have been blessed with health. I do not know yet how our money matters will be. That depends on the price of cotton, We have decided to sell our cows. If we keep a cow, will be obliged to hire regular help and with only two in family will be cheaper to buy milk and butter and then I think Mary can be a better christian without a cow. We have not sold carriage or any more corn. There is no trouble about selling corn but am afraid carriage will be slow sale. If we could sell for $100, would do it. Dunk don't think we feel like giving up. If I had not gotten over that feeling I would not be writting to you as I am. I dread moving to La and do not want to stay here. It has not seemed like home since you left. Jeff is kind as he can be, he never left us a night since you left. He goes to see the girl or "old woman" I don't know which, one night every week, but never stays away all night. Angus too does every thing he can for us. Uncle Daniel comes to see us very often. I am real sorry for him. You know he never makes a great to do over any thing, but I know he feels our leaving keenly. He is doing better, living more agreeable with his family than he ever has since I can remember. He inquires for you almost every time he comes. Dunk I wish you would write to him. He would appreciate a letter from you. Aunt Gaty had another spell last Sunday a week ago but is about as well as usual now. I saw a letter from cousin Duncan to uncle Daniel. I will not tell you what he said about you and your work. It pleased me and you can guess whether it was complimentary or not. Sallie McLean, Ella Esirrie's sister, is not expected to live many days. John Patterson is better, able to be at work. Dunk I am sorry you did not go to see him. I hear Mr McRae has bought a lot at L and is going to build. Ella Creason moved back to her fathers last week. Creason has gone up the country. It was a mutual separation so we hear. They had no falling out, he just could not support her. Jeff was at Duncan's this morning. They are all well. I have not seen any of them. Not even Duncan since you left - We heard from Angus's today they are all well. Maggie Fairly did not get Johns letter yet. It was sent to Duncan's wife. Maggie has not had a letter from you Dunk and I think she is disappointed because she was the first to write to you. We have been having warm weather for a week and a good deal of rain. Looks as if we would have more soon. There has been very little farm work done yet. We haven't quite finished picking cotton. Had to pay $1.00 per hundred. Old Frank stayed on where he was. Nellie is cooking at Jim Walters. by the way Jim is drinking again, Biggell was to have gone with him to Washington to be treated, but when the time came to go Jim was drunk and could not go. Charlie and Rinanie will commence keeping house soon. Charlie said to Angus he hated to see you leave worse than any one that had left. L. We hear Col. Malloy left Charlie Malloy 1/8 of his property. Some say $5000 others say more than that. We have not seen brother Archie Since you left. We heard he had moved and that is all we know of him. Jeff is getting ready to keep house. He has bought a cooking stove and put it up. One as large as ours. I do not believe he expects to keep "Mack" long. Jeff wrote to you this week so I will not finish this before we hear from Mary's note to Mrs Goodwin. Feb 13th 1890 Well Dunk I did not think such a long time would pass before I would finish this letter. We moved Wednesday as Mary said we would. I believe it was a bigger job for us to move here than it was for us to move to Mississippi. We are very well moved in to the house, it is as convenient as any house I know of and is in good repair. We have not had time to get homesick yet. We have made up our minds to be pleased. I know we will have less to do, maybe I can find some time to write Aunt Sady as well and we heard she had a spell this week before we left home. We have not heard from her since. Angus's folks are well. The children came to see us yesterday at noon. We have been so busy for two weeks I did not have time and we are not through fixing up yet. Give my love to Bell and children and cousin Duncan. Don't let John forget us. Please write often if you do not write anything only how you all are. Mary rec'd your letter Wednesday.

Your loving,

Sis Mag