1863-09-29+30, From Rachel Eltinge to her father Roelif Eltinge

              Po’keepsie Sept 29th

Dear Father
		I came up stairs
tonight from prayer very much disappointed.
It is going on two weeks since
I came back and I have had
no letter from home or any
where else. so you must know
I long to hear from you all.  If
you had not all promised to
write soon I would not have
thought so much of it, but I
have written home twice now
and I think it is about time
for me to get a letter. and besides
Mother told me I could get some

		[Page 4]
coffee.  I suppose chestnuts are
getting ripe. I think I will be
good ready to go home by the
time the four weeks are past.
The girls say Mr. Wright does
not like to have the girls go
home to spend thanksgiving but I
dont [sic] know how that will
work with me.  You know thanks-
giving day comes on thursday
and I hardly think there will be
school on friday and that will
be a nice lone time for a visit
home.  I will have to study
my lessons now or I am afraid [sic]
I will not get a good mark.
		Rachel
Envelope to: Roelif Eltinge
		New Paltz
			N. Y.
Postmark Sep 30 1863 Poughkeepsie, N. Y.