[Manchester—Sunday, 15 September 1872]

Sunday again—quite cold and dark as if we were months instead of one week away from last Sunday. Yesterday Mrs Stowe was driven over by Major Sturgis from the station at half past three. I did not expect her then but was glad enough to see her. She had read the night before for the first time in a large public hall at Springfield, had risen at five o’clock the next morning and found her way thither. She lay down for a short nap and then started away with us to drive. We went down to the new hotel at Magnolia Village. As we turned to come home such a sunset struck our vision as I had never seen before. The afternoon had been clouded & soft when a sudden golden glory painted the trees and distant ships with an awful light from eternity. It lasted but a moment, but such a moment! Afterward a deep red stained the western sky until everything was black. Mrs Stowe in the midst of all this glory went to the top of the hotel and considered the situation and interior as well as the view. She was full of spirit, entertaining us with new views of life and character. In the evening she gave us a new ghost story of hers to read—one Charley picked up at Castine Me.

A farmer told us the leaves would be all scrumped up soon by the frost.

Dear Mrs Stowe stayed with us over Sunday. In the morning we went to Major Sturgis’s who invited us to hear the Episcopal Service read in his parlor. It was a pleasant scene and we enjoyed it well. Jamie walked all the day and we met just before dinner. After dinner, Mrs Stowe, wise woman went to her room, undressed, and slept until time to go to Mrs Towne’s to tea. The night was stormy, but the wood fire was burning delightfully in-doors and Mrs Towne with her sweet welcome and beautiful face is always a charming sight. Her dear children too with their little parting gifts made us very happy. Mrs Stowe was never brighter. Lizzy was with us also and Sophy & Mr Darrah were there.


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