WCP1292

[1]

21. Letter from Columbia, May 14th, 1855. (From Mrs John Wallace — Bride of four months — to John’s sister, Mrs Sims)[.]

I am again what they call here a grass widow. I cannot give you a definition of the little word, without they think the wives must be very "green" to allow their dearies go away and leave them.

John¹ went to the mountains surveying, and will be gone about three weeks. I don’t know what I shall do without him so long. The miner’s strike has made them all very busy, the new company have commenced, and the old company are anxious to discover a good way of bringing water from the North Fork of Stanislaus River, a distance of I believe, 30 miles or more up in the mountains where there is perpetual snow. I expect John will be very busy all summer. He has not been able yet to finish the plans for our house, he has made the front elevation, and every one who has seen it, says it will be the prettiest place in town. He has improved om [sic] Mills (D[arius]. O[gden]. Mills)² and is going to have it quite original. I intend copying the drawings, and sending them home that you may see that there is something pretty in California.

On Friday the day John left, I had an invitation to go to Springfield about a mile and a half distant to a ball, Mrs White³, Mrs. Bonie⁴ and myself prepared in the afternoon, but it bagan [sic] raining in torrents and we gave it up. In the evening about 6 or 7 o’clock a gentleman called in an open buggy to fetch me, but we sent him away, saying it would be impossible to go in the wet. As soon as he got home Mrs. White’s brother⁵ came back and insisted that we go, so as we had no alternative, but to put our things in a carpet bag, wrap ourselves up and go, Mrs White and I in one and Mrs Clark⁶ in another. They went first with lanters [sic], and we followed. I never expected to get there alive, the roads are so bad in some places where they have been mining, there are immense holes just by the side of the road but I am happy to say we got there about ten without any accident, and not at all wet. we [sic] were soon dressed and in the ball room was not that a thoroughly Yankee go ahead style, stopping at no difficulties, in England they would not have taken the trouble, but ladies are not so scarce [2] there as here. They had provided a very handsome supper and were determined not to be diappointed [sic]. I did not enjoy it much and could not dance, not feeling very well.