Augusta Kidd D'Ewart to her sister-in-law, Alvina Barnes Kidd

Return address 9 Bismark Street
                         Worcester, MA              Sunday Evening 19 Feb 1882

My dear Vina,
       We were very much pleased to hear from you and I should have replied before, but have not been feeling very well  in fact have been in bed for nearly a weak, the result of a bad cold, but am glad to know that he is better.  I am very sorry to hear of Walter being not well but glad to know that he is better.  We were very much surprised to hear of his return to the Ministry, but no doubt it was to be, otherwise it would not have been, and for his good also.   All large firms always do try to crush out the smaller and weaker ones.  Then, I know that he always had a feeling as though he would rather be in the Church so it is best so.  You ask if I have been South?  Yes.  I went on the 2nd of October  and remained until the 23rd of December, getting back to Worcester Christmas Day morning.   I should have gone before, in August, but the typhoid fever broke out and there has been eleven deaths from it, and between forty & fifty have it.  One death occoured after (Lizzie & I got there, both of us had typhoid symptoms but it was broken up before it got thoroughly set viz 4 days.  One of my best Rugby friends was the first to die.  I am going agin this Spring to attend to our land and when I come back from Rugby in the early summer I shalled be delighted to visit you in the meantime write to me before I go.  John is still at Grove Mill with 90 men Young Moen, who had been in Sweeden learning the making of iron came home last summer and he and John get along well together.   He has a good position now.  Harry is very much better than he was, and begins to go to church with John, which is good, and Mr. Moen has told him, that he desired his good both temporal & spiritual and any thing he could do he would be most happy to do.  Tell Walter that William Dixon's wife is dead also both his daughters. Mother is feeling a little better than she was, but is not so well as I should like.  We have not heard from Edwin since December or November, when Mother heard, he is well  Herbert talked of going to St. Louis some three months back , but had not gone his  Mother talks of coming out to him.  How is Harold, stout I suppose going down to Rugby had done Lizzie a deal of good, she has grown so tall Mother John Harry & Lizzie all desire to be remembered to you and Walter.
        And with love believe your loving Sister
         Augusta M Ewart
        Write soon