My great grandmother Rena holding one of her loved ones.

New York,  __Mar 7  , 1888*

My dear little sweetheart Son.

I am sitting in our room writing to little Ray.  Papa has gone over to Jersey City for the day — so Mamma is to be alone until four o’clock.  Mamma thought of her babies so much last night and wondered if you were better of your cold.  I feel lost without little Ray Carroll and Rena Polly. 

    Someday (God Willing) you and Polly shall come down to New York with Mamma and Papa and go out and see the beautiful things.  Mamma can hear the bells on the streetcars say ding- a dong ding a ling a ling.

Mamma is going out very soon to look for the box of paints for you and something for Polly.

We are going to stay here until tomorrow afternoon and then go to Philadelphia and come back here again Saturday.

Now Ray dear I know you will be a good little man and mind Grandma when she says not to go out in the hall .  And remember that Mamma thinks of you and little scoguin googuin as Papa says — give love to little sister when you go over to Auntie Nellie’s

And give love to grandma and Grandpa and keep a good deal for my own little Ray boy —

Your loving

Mamma  —

      I have asked God to watch over and keep my little Ray and Polly and all the other loved ones safe — and you Ray tonight can ask God to bless and keep Mamma and Papa —

                                                                                                                                                         Mamma

        Papa would send bushels of love were he here.

* It is interesting to note that this letter was written less than one week before the Great Blizzard of 1888 (March 12th and 13th.)

The Blizzard struck the eastern seaboard from Washington D. C. to down east Maine.