Roxana Chapin Gerdine to Emily McKinstry Chapin (1860 January 1)

              A.L.S. January 1, 1860. �Em� [Roxana Chapin Gerdine] to �Dear Sister Em� [Emily McKinstry Chapin]. Oak Grove, [MS]. 4pp. Note: Part of the last page continues onto the front of the first page.)
Direct to West Point Miss.)
I really do not know where my daguerreotypes are. I have had some less than a score of them taken. Lucy nor myself have any of them.)
						Oak Grove Jan 1st 1860"
Dear Sister Em-"
	I suppose regarding the rules of etiquette in addressing a bride I should have selected a sheet of the most delicate pink note paper perfumed gilt edge and I know not what other properties it should possess but I have various reasons for not doing so. 1stly and chiefly this is the only sheet I possess and you know we do not have stores here again if we did it would do me no good to day for it is sunday and I could not send- so content myself this New Years day by keeping my room and writing to my two sisters- what a prize one of my [inimitable] epistles must be. another reason for my being less particular in my choice of paper is this- that you will be so entirely engrossed with your liege lord that perhaps you will forget to break the seal or should you chance to do that you will doubtless give it a hasty perusal and throw it aside. now do not come to the conclusion that I judge of you from my past experience far from it. I had outgrown all romance suppose I had not- where is the romance in marrying a widower with a house full of children. certain it is that I have become exceedingly practical. I can not exactly after Jane�s fashion sit down and enumerate my list of �pies and things.� but I can extol my sewing machine by the hour and the quantity of negro clothes made