Sincerely Mattie Cook

That day, The President rode through the great streets of Philadelphia. That seamed to be the only bright spot in my day, because it had been over a week that passed since The Frost had come and Mother had not. Business was as usual. One Customer came in, and another went out. No one caught my eye in particular.... That is, until the beautifully, tired, ragged woman dressed in country clothes walked through the door. As I came to see her face, I couldn't move. Neither could Nathaniel, who was by my side to witness the whole thing. Mother had brought a good friend by the name of Mrs. Ludington, and, a surprising interest for Nathaniel. That I liked. As Mother and I swapped stories. She told me of her restless nights, and I told her of the death. In Eliza's family and in ours. "Poor William. Poor Eliza", She exclaimed. Well, help me up stairs, Mattie. I need to rest." As I held back my sobs, I looked out the window, thanking God for all he had done. As I helped Mother up the stairs, i realized that Mother Smith was right. The Lord would work it all out.
                                    Sincerely,
                                                   Mattie Cook

The Lord Will Work It All Out

Later that day, I worried that Mother would never return home. But Nathaniel was a constant visitor.  The days were the same, full of food and, for the most part, full of happiness. Mother Smith came for, what Eliza thought, was a thanksgiving dinner. As Mother Smith blessed the meal, Eliza, Joseph, Nell, the Boys, Nathaniel, and I, ate our hearts out. "Any news from your Mother?" asked Joseph. "Seems to me that-" Eliza cut him off, right at that moment. Then Mother Smith said, "She'll be back. I can feel it in my bones, and they never lie." That concluded our dinner conversation, so we ate in silence for the rest of the meal. After eating, Joseph said, "Have you decided your price Matilda?"  I asked him whatever he was talking about. "The price for the coffeehouse." he responded. "You've got a good spot up here. You sell this place, you'll get enough money to set you up nice."  "Joseph!" Eliza scolded.  Then Mther Smith stated that the Lord would work it all out.
                                               Sincerely,
                                                         Mattie Cook

Carnival

We were relieved to find that farmers had followed the frost into the city and their prices had dropped just as quickly as the temperature had. I woke from my nap to the sound of heavy furniture being moved across the floor and out the door. Eliza had a theory that when the next frost came, it would kill all of the pestilence on the furniture so I did my share, and sat on the floor. When Joseph appeatred, he had toys for the children and a thank you for Eliza and I. I came with hime down to the markette, which had turned into a festival, full of gossip and joy, and so much food! And it didn't hurt too much that Nathaniel, my long time crush, was there. My mind instantly went to the daisies he had sent me, not too long ago, once he whipered in my ear. As we walked up Mainstreet, we spoke of marriage. "When your Mother returns, which i'm sure will be soon, she'll kick me off the front porch and try to marry you off to some Lawyer" Nathaniel stated. " I won't let her" I promised.
                Sincerely,
                        Mattie Cook

The Happiness that Frost can Bring

During the nights that passed, the children were restless, as we all wished for the frost. As one child would fall asleep, another would wake up. Eliza and I had to take shifts to keep up with the cycle. One tired day, a doctor Who's name I didn't catch, came to draw blood from the children. I held Nell's hand as the needle penetrated her skin, and I held Eliza's hand as she held the boys' hands. Poor Eliza. But not all was bad. On the night October 23, I slept. But our nit-wit cal Silas, wouldn't leave me alone. "Silas,  leave me alone. I haven't slept in years." I said as I reluctantly got up the let the creature out, still half asleep. I gazed out the window. Frost. "No." I told Silas simply. "Starving men dream of food, I dream of Frost." But... This was no dream. "Eliza!! Eliza!!" I shook her recklessly. "Eliza, wake up! The frost. The end of the fever!!" Then Eliza mumbled "Lord have mercy. We made it!!" as we threw our arms around each other and jumped with joy.
                             Sincerely,
                                  Mattie Cook

Children of the Illness

Eliza dismissed the woman in which she had been helping. Then, she led Nell and I to the small home that she shared with her brother, by the name  of Joseph. His two  sons, Roger and William, also lived in their house. Joseph, sick in bed, greeted me with a weak smile. The boys ran to Eliza, steeling a hug, and looking questionably at Nell and I. That night I ate well and slept  fully. The next day, Mother Smith, came to care for Joseph and the boys. Mother proved to me how useless I could be.  That night, when Eliza came home, I made sure that she had no work to do, as I did the next morning. That day Eliza allowed me to accompany her on her daily rounds. When we came home, we were shocked to see that the children had fallen ill.
                                         Sincerely,
                                                  Mattie Cook

Nell

I picked the little girl up and walked out the door. As we walked down the street, I told her my name and asked her about hers. "Nell" was the first and only response I received that day. As I walked by a tavern, a group of drunken sailors tripped and sputtered. One of  which strayed from the group to request a dance from me. As he tugged at my arm, Nell hid her face in my neck. While I pulled away, I saw two black women hurrying with baskets in hand. I recognized one of them to be Eliza. As I cried out her name, I felt a sigh of relief. I chased her down the alley-way, Nell bouncing on my side as she clung for her life. She recognized me, and turned to run at me. Thank the Lord.

                               Sincerely,

                                        Mattie Cook

The China Doll

The next day, I was wandering up and down the streets looking for food, only to come up empty handed. I stopped in  front of a house to look at a broken china doll.Then, I heard crying coming from inside the house. I picked up the china doll and walked inside, to  find a little girl with her thumb in her  mouth, and her dead mother lying on the bed beside the broken hearted girl. I offered her the china doll, and  she said, "Broken.". Then, I asked about her mother, and she said, "Shes Broken, too."

                    Sincerely,

                             Mattie Cook