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My dearest Callie -
in answer to your little note by Joe I now send you the pattern which I think you can understand. I've another more simple which I like very much & will send you if you say so. Joe kept the note in his pocket until yesterday or I would have sent it before. Why dont [don't] you answer my two last letters? Do you know I've thought it strange & yet I cannot attribute your silence to a want of love -- Perhaps you think dear Callie I do not deserve it & heretofore I am almost inclined to plead guilty. Before my mishap however I never knew a well day and when I did not have company or was unengaged

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about the house I felt wholly unfit to write to anyone that is in such a manner as I ought Even Pa felt hurt with me about not writing & to him I have never even justified myself by pleading sickness he and Ma have had so much to hear in poor Lucys [Lucy's] case. With the exception of a business letter to Mrs Howell Cobb and a reply to one from Mr Cobbs [Cobb's] mother I wrote to no one but yourself during the three months of my again fatal indisposition. And now dear Callie this is the first and only time I've written since I have been up. These repeated attacks are a severe blow to my constitution and no one knows how much they affect me mind & body. This last one

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was unaccountable to me and unexpected & has proven to me more than ever how much I am afflicted. But enough of myself. Dont [Don't] judge me harshly 'tho [though] dear Callie when I do err some of these days you may be conscious how much I need your kindest forbearance & sympathy. Poor Lucy continues very feeble & variable in her health. She has evidently improved some but is not so well today. She again has sick stomach & her cough & great weakness still depress her. I never saw her as low & I never saw her more anxious to recover. She is very patient and gentle & not at all excitable as she was last summer. Ma has undergone a great deal nursing her & is not very

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well. Pa too is worried and greatly depressed since his return from Macon. Muggie too after looking better than you ever saw [added text: her] without any premonitory symptom, not even a cough had another hemorrhage yesterday. She had been out all the morning very cheerful & had the attack after dinner. She is better but much cast down as she thought herself so well & was so happy at Joe's arrival. What a world this is [unclear text: !] How little do we know what to expect. How blest will we be if we can reach that happy shore where sickness & sorrow are never felt or known. Perhaps afflictions are better for us to [unclear text: wean] us from this poor

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world. I've felt it oh how much of late & Callie I feel sometimes as if I could not be too grateful for the precious love which has removed [unclear text: two] of my own flesh & blood from this weary pilgrimage Mr Cobb is at Elbert Court. He was glad you received the grafts in good order as he took great pains to fix them for you. Sallie Bird is still here. Mary has left. Sal is not looking well but seems so happy here it makes her appear very cheerful -- She talks much of her trials praises you "Cousin Porter" & the baby a great deal & talks much about you. Dinings & little evening parties are quite fashionable but I've not been able to attend any if I felt like it. Have you seen

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the death of Charles Arnold (Albertas [Alberta's] husband) in N.Y. [New York] He married a few days before just to cut her out of the property. Mrs Maxwell is somewhat better. Her husband is here & I would not be surprised if they were to have an open rupture 'ere [before] long. Fanny Cooley & Jimmy LeConte are soon to be married. Mrs John LeConte is to be here soon to attend the wedding. Anna Billups has come back looking badly. Bob Taylors oldest child is at the point of death with scarlet fever in Early -- We had a letter from Jimmie last night. He graduated with satisfaction to himself & will be here the last of the week. Lid keeps well & begins to make somewhat of a show. They are in the new house at last & have sent by [unclear text:John] to buy some carpets. I would like so much dear Callie to visit you this spring but I am afraid I cannot. If I can you may be sure I will. Mr C. [Cobb] thinks I ought again to go North & urges me to do so but the trouble of getting a suitable nurse for the children is almost enough to deter one without any other objection. If we went it would be next month to return in June or the 1st of July. Our church still progresses & you [unclear text: know] we are to have a new Bank. I hope Joe may get a good fat office in it. How I long to see your boy. Some how he seems almost as near to me as my own. I hope you will bring him out this summer to see us. The children are always talking of it Little Callie is very [unclear text: unwell] today & seems as if she was going to be sick. Do excuse my dull letter and write to me whenever you can. I am not yet strong and I think my letter partakes very much of my weakness. Forgive it and all the faults of your devoted sister

[Signed] Marion
Remember me [unclear text: kindly] to Mr King --

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Callie try the Belvidere Cakes in the Lady's Book they are very nice. Have you read Memorable Women by Mrs Crosland & dedicated to [unclear text: Mrs Le Vert]. You would like it. Did I give you the receipt for my cream meringue. They are quite the fashion here & very nice -- Dont [Don't] laugh at me