Stockton Feb 12 - 1891

Dear Alice:

Letter date has come again and found me here alone. Frank has gone hunting, and your father went to S. F. Tuesday night with two car loads of hogs, and has not returned. He said if he made anything on them he should go to Berkeley to see you, and if not he should come home as soon as he could get here, so you can tell by that whether he has made anything or not. If he has been there he has probably told you all there is to tell, so what I may say will be old.

We have heard from the fellows that were on the ranch, at last, and they have left it; have been gone some time, so I suppose your father will go down as soon as he can get away. I don't know whether he intends to take Frank or not: have not had a chance to talk with him much since the letter came, so do not know just what his intentions are. I proposed to him that we three go down and stay till hot weather, but he did not seem to think much of the idea. If I should go, will be down to Berkeley first. and if not will go down as soon as he gets away.

I have been fixing over Emma J.'s silk dress a little, have taken the silk out of the front of the skirt and brought the drapiery together, and made the waist and sleeves a little larger. Think she will like it better now. I have commenced to make that cloth that I colored last winter into a dress for myself; don't know what it will look like, but guess it will do to ride in. My green basque is so worn it is not fit to wear out of the house.

We have been having some very cold nights lately, and they have been a little to much for our calla lilies. The live blossoms that were out are about ruined. I have had it brought round on the side porch so it will be all right now.

Hoping to see you before a great while. I will close.

From your mother

E. M. Watrous