To: Sophronia Troupe – Fostoria, OH
From: Sarah Elizabeth (Lizzie) Troupe – Dimondale, MI
No Envelope
Dec 17, 1873
Dear Sister,
I take my pen in hand to let you know that we are all well, except Pop [John Troupe]. He ain’t very well now.
I have to write with a lead pencil because the pen ain’t good. I go to school now. I hant had to stay til dark yet in school.
Well, I must tell you what we are working at. I am knitting me a stocking and Bec [Rebecca Troupe] is sewing buttons on the night dress, and Amos [Amos Troupe] is gone to Dimondale, and Pop [John Troupe] is smoking his pipe.
It is awful muddy now. We can’t hardly get around now. We have Sunday School yet. I guess we will hold it up all winter.
We are going to have a Christmas tree at Dimondale at C. Sloan’s hall. I guess I will go to it if nothing happens. I have a notion to come out there and see you if I wouldn’t be to saucy. I am sorry to hear that Maria was (unreadable) so hard tight. We have several here yet, but I guess there won’t be any more. What is that Little Girls name?
I will come out there for you to make my wedding dress. I have it in the (home?) now. I wish you were here to help me quilt. I have two to set together and quilt on.
Well, I guess I must quit now. So good bye.
From Sarah Troupe Dimondale, Michigan
To Fronia [Sophronia] Troupe
I will send you a paper if I can get it. Please send me a Religious (unreadable) (unreadable) (unreadable) by mail. I will send you my picture, if you will send yours. Good bye. Write soon.
My pen is poor
My ink is thick
The candle burns within the stick
My Mother calls I must obey
I will finish my letter some other day
Lizzie Troupe is my name
And single is my station
And happy is the little man
That makes his alteration.
Over the hill
And over the level
I send my letter
Like the devil