New York, __Nov, 30  1888                                                                                                              

My dear darling son and Daughter.

                                                                                                                          Now Mamma is going to write you a letter.

                                                                                                                         Once upon a time there was a little boy and girl, “way back many years ago” as papa says, and their Mamma and papa went to New York and their grand ma came up and staid with them the while. Now this little boy and girl’s mamma and papa loved their darlings so much, very much, but papa had to go away on business and as the mamma was a little bit sick and tired- papa said for her to go too and this little boy and girl, said they would be very good, and mind their grand ma so that mamma could get rested.

             Well Mamma and papa reached New York safely and their mamma said, “I am going to write to my little darlings- for I know Ray enjoyed my other letter so much.”

             Yesterday it rained all day long. Papa could not go over to Patterson, so we staid in all day long, but papa has gone away this morning for all day.  I wish I had you both here in my room.  My room is a very pleasant one, it faces Broadway.  and were you here you would hear the great-noise of the carts and streetcars & carriages.  Then you could see the many, many people passing, and O! I forget- about- that little bell on the streetcars-  there it goes now – ting-a-ling-ting-a-ling-a-ling.  I guess you and Polly would think it sounded like the bells in winter.

              I must tell you what Mamma heard after we reached here Wednesday evening. I was sitting in my room and all at once I heard some one playing on a piano in front of the hotel.  I went to the window and – O! I wish you could have seen how beautifully the street looked.  The electric light made night like day an in front of our hotel was a machine something like an upright piano on wheels and there stood a foreigner, I mean by that a man from over the water or what is it you call them Ray?  Well this man was turning a handle something like a hand organ, except that the music sounded like a piano, just as if some one were playing beautifully.  Mamma never heard anything so beautiful of the kind before.

              Now I guess I will stop writing and go for a walk. Would not we have a fine time going down Broadway?  Ray would say “O!, mamma see that.”  “O!, I wants some of those beautiful roses.” (which are arranged in bouquets for ladies to wear)  and Polly would say, “Mamma we have baby carriage?”

              Now my dear little babies be good and remember will bring yo both something nice.  Ray, when you feel like hurting sister think of how sorry it would make mamma feel– and try and be a little peacemaker.  You know what we said that meant.

              Give love to grandma, – grandpa and Aunt Hattie and keep lots of love and “big high” kisses for your own little selves.  Mamma asks God a good many times a day to guard her treasures at home, and bring us together again –  Do you say a little prayer for mamma and papa Ray and Polly?  Yes, I know you do –

                Now good bye – –  I send you some kisses, see —     0 0 0 0  0 0 0