32

Newbern April 24th 1842

My Dear [ ]

Mr. Bryan arrived
here last evening, but the letter which he brought
from you and your mother did not reach me
until this morning [ ] to my being out at a party
at Judge Gaston's. The party was given to the little
girls and boys of the town by the judge's little grand
daughters. There were about fifteen girls and
ten boys at the party and they had cake and strawberries
and cream and a great many other
things, all set out for them under an arbor
in the garden. After they had finished eating they
all went into the house and had fun [ ]
in dancing and playing. they looked very
pretty, I can tell you [ ] James taylor says
he thinks our Raleigh girls are a full match
for them in beauty. It would have done your
heart good to see how the little things hopped
and skipped and danced about. You would have
forgotten all about Dick and [ ] too, if you
had seen them. They broke up between nine
and ten o'clock and all went home highly
delighted, I have no [ ] with their evening's
entertainment- [ ] Billy [ ] John is quite
well- Tell [ Sue? ] and Mary I have some very
pretty shells for them- Farewell. I am your affectionate
Father Will H. Battle