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82
MAlNNERS AND CUSTOMS.
from friends, relatives, and the great world. If the mail reaches us
once a month, we consider ourselves fortunate. But, after all, there
is a silver lining to this dark cloud, for when letters and papers do
arrive, we enjoy them a thousand times more than we did in Vir-
ginia. Dear old Virginia I I love even to write the name, it brings
back so many pleasant memories.
But now to answer your numerous questions cQncerning our
Texas home. When we reached here, for some weeks we camped
out, or tented, as it is called, for Mr. Ray had so much to do in
looking over the country, that he had no time for building. Early
one morning, however, the negroes-we had brought ten with us-
were set to work, and in a few days I was mistress of a mansion.
It was a log house, with two large rooms and a broad hall between;
it was considered the palace of the surrounding country. I never
remember experiencing a greater thrill of pride than when I stepped
into my log castle. Doors were unheard-of luxuries, so I hung gay
quilts across the openings where the doors ought to be. A bed and
table were my only pieces of furniture, as all our goods shipped
from New Orleans were lost. Trunks did for chairs. You may
wonder why we do not buy furniture, but when I tell you the near-
est town is seventy-five miles away, and that there you must have
everything made, you will not be surprised at our condition.
Never, my dear Florence, did I see true hospitality until I came
here. At every house, be it ever so humble, you are a welcome
guest; they ask you to have coffee, or, if it be meal-time, to share
their food. The coffee-pot is always kept filled. I'd like to see you
take a drink of it. The average Texan scorns cream and sugar;
he wants his coffee as strong and black as possible. I have learned
to drink it bitter, for since our sugar gave out we have not been
able to get more. As you are curious to know what we find to
eat, I '11 enter into particulars. When we came here game was
scarce for several months on account of a drought. We engaged
an Indian, whose sole duty was to supply us with meat, and, as he
knows all the surrounding country, he has kept us stocked with
game and bird-eggs. We could do without him now, for the woods
are full of birds and prairie chickens, but we have become so much
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Pennybacker, Anna J. Hardwicke. A new history of Texas for schools : also for general reading and for teachers preparing themselves for examination, book, 1895; Palestine, Tex.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth2388/m1/98/?rotate=90: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.