Sparta Dec. 26 1855

My Dear Wife

I have commenced writing but my pen is so bad I reckon I have to say howdy and quit. But I have found another one that runs a little slicker. I received your letter last night which gratified me very much to hear that you (are) well and enjoying your visit so much. I should like very much to be with you if my business would allow it. You supposed that I was having a very dull Christmas. Not duller than I expected. I stayed at home and read nearly all day. I was not at all unhappy. I could have gone to town and joined the merry crowd - - could have gone to the grocery and got "fancy" - - yelped and hallored like savages, as some did who thought, perhaps, that their cup of happiness was full. But to me this would be no pleasure. I prefer pleasures which are not so sensual - - pleasures of a more calm and elevated nature. But I will cease writing for awhile to milk and make ready for prayer meeting after which I will give you a little more.

The church bell has not rung. There will be no prayer meeting to-night, I suppose. I am not sorry for it, because it is so cold that few would go and that few would be uncomfortable unless there had been fire made sufficiently long to warm the church. I supposed, however, that there would be more regularity in our meetings since we have made arrangements with Bro. Wm. Dinges to attend to making fires and ringing the bells. I expect Bro. Nelson has prevented him this evening. 

But I was telling you how I have been doing. I have done as well as I could expect when you are absent. Of course I feel a little lonely. Still I am more than willing to forego this little inconvenience for you gratification. I have not found it necessary to cook any yet except roast some potatoes. I finished the bread you baked for me to day. I was a bout to get "my heart set" upon some mush this evening but finding that the pots would be rather troublesome to clean I turned my attention to roasting potatoes again. I think I shall see how some corn mush and ice cream will go in the morning if I am not too lazy to clean the pot. 

The greatest misfortune that I have suffered since you left is that I either left the kitchen door open one day when I went to the Bk. or somebody opened it and the calf came in and eat nearly all the potatoes Sarah washed for me. Another inconvenience is, I can't keep warm of nights. May be I will get used to it. I shall not look for you at all but will wait patiently till you come. I expect you had better winter up there if you want meat to eat; for I have not been able to get any yet. I have been actively inquiring since you have been gone but cannot find the man that will bring it in. I can hear of there being plenty however. I expect I shall have to wait till you come home and take the horse and buggy and go after some. It is very bad to be upon uncertainties as we are at present. I think that I shall pursue a different course. I shall lay my plans, so far as laying in provisions are concerned, as if I expected to remain here always. I think the trouble would be less that way than to be always without. 

There is a party to night at Mr. Colmes'. What a pity Amanda is not here to go with Mr. F. But, then, I expect she would get sick. Tell her, (if she has got well) that I want her to let me know when the next party is to be and I will write a note over to George - - towns(?) if that will keep her from getting sick. I am sorry that she does so. I don't think I shall feel like fighting for her any more unless she treats my old friend Mr. G. better.

It is pleasant to write to you after this manner but it would be more profitable to me to be reading, and so to you unless I had something of more importance to communicate so I will quit. First, tell Nettie that Eddie may keep her for a Christmas gift. And, finally, I want to know if you, in truth are so rude as to desire to "keep me for a christmas gift". Love to all the friends and may the God of Mercy bless you and Edwin. 

Your husband

W.J. Hill


==================================================
Transcription used with permission of Charles Massey.

Archivists:
Transcription by Charles Massey.
Image by G. Anne Sloan