1863-12-02, Letter from Rachel Eltinge to her father Roelif Eltinge

              Po’keepsie Wednesday Dec 2nd
Dear Father.
		I scarcely knew who
to write to, when I took the ma-
terials in hand.  I am owing 
a letter, to both Lib & Maria and
thought I should write to
them, but still, home pulled
hardest, and I will leave their letters
until friday, and saturday.
I did not miss any class mon-
day by being late, as my teacher
of arithmetic was sick. and
there-fore the class did not re-
cite.  I was very glad they did
not, as it gave us time to
warm,  But I was also, very
sorry to hear that Mrs. Pearson
was sick,  Father, when I was

		[Page 4]
as the second bell has rung. and
I suppose the third soon will when
I will be obliged to put out the 
light undressed or not undressed.
So good night.  Thursday Morn
I did not seal the letter last 
night thinking I might have
some thing more to write
this morning, but I can’t
think of any thing of interest
so I will close, hoping you
will not do as you talked
of when I was home, but on
the contrary will write often
and soon  This week seems
awful long,  I suppose it is
because I have had a vaca-
tion.  Write soon & tell all my
friends to do the same
		Daughter Rachel

Envelope to: Roelif Eltinge
		New Paltz
			New York
Postmark: Dec 3 Poughkeepsie, NY