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                                                                                                                  Marie? to Abby

                                                                                                                          Cambridgeport Feb.1sr 1856

Dear Cousin Abbie

                                                        January has past and Febuery it is more than half gone, and yet we have not had that long talked of visit, from you and Mary. and since I have received Mary's letter I have concluded that we are not to have the pleasure of seeing you this Winter. I felt somewhat disapointed after I had read Ms. letter, for I full expected that letter would tell me the day you was coming. (By the way Mary did not direct her letter right, she directed it to Cambridge instead of Cambridgeport, and it was in that Office over a month before Part of it a friend of mine, saw it advertised and sent me word, I sent immediately and got it that-Office is about two miles from us). I supose M. thinks I am a long time answering her letter but as I have had it but a short time, I thought I ought to answer yours.
first                 As you was a planning to go about a good deal this winter; if you came down here and to visit difference place; I supose it is all for the best that you have postponed your visit, for getting round much this winter is out of the question. 
      We have had an unusually sever Winter. I think I never experienced such a one before in my life; we have had 54 days of steady Sleighing; it is either snow , or the snow is so deep, that it is almost impossible for females to get out. I have not been able to get to Church (a very short distance) but twice since December. I should have been very happy to have had you visited me and set down here in my own pleasant home with me; but of course you would not have been contented to have done so, as you would wish to serve all alike. I hope if ever you do make up your mind to visit us that you will take a pleasanter season of the year.
 What are you all doing at home this winter? are you all buried up in a snow-bank? I supose Chandler & Charles, has nothing to do but stay in the house this cold winter and help your Mother. I should think they might have found time to have written