#agnes dailey

[kindred-sims]

A letter to Matthew Dailey from his daughter Agnes, 189x

Dearest Papa,

We are here!

We arrived in Chestnut Ridge late this morning after a near two days of travel, bursting with both relief and anticipation. Until now the idea of being here seemed a mere fantasy, but now that we have actually made it, I am now reminded of just how real and wonderful it all really is. We are both exhausted from our journey but nevertheless overjoyed to finally be here after so much dreaming and planning, it scarcely feels feel to either of us even now.

The farm, our farm...what can I say about it? Its ours, and that’s the most important thing. This one in particular was being sold off for quite cheap after its previous owners passed on, and although I do not wish to be rude, it isn’t difficult to see why the bank was so eager to hand it over to us. It is quite an old building and in need of several serious repairs, I fear that one strong gust of wind would be enough to knock it apart.

Will seems optimistic that we’ll be able to make it work, in spite of the obvious problems. He did have to take out a small loan to pay for it, but he’s confident that we’ll be able to pay it back after our first good harvest. If all goes well, that is, which I trust that it will. We’ve come too far for it not to.

Yours truly,

Mrs. Agnes Barclay

P.S. Do let Aunt Winifred know I miss her dearly, and I plan to write to her as well just as soon as I get the chance.

[kindred-sims]

“...it doesn’t need to be perfect, Aunt Winifred.”

“Nonsense, dear, its your wedding day, of course it has to be perfect!”

Agnes sighed as her aunt fidgeted about with the skirts of her wedding dress for what must have been the tenth time in barely five minutes, but made no other movements or noises of protests. There was no point to it when she’d only receive the same response as she had the last several times, and thus she stayed put.

Or at the very least, she stayed put the best she could. Because it was taking everything in her to not just collapse into a overwrought heap of nervousness.

It was normal for brides to feel anxious, she supposed. Great-Aunt Winifred had said so, but then, Agnes wasn’t sure how much her aunt knew about weddings or being a bride given her perpetual state of spinsterhood. Nevertheless, Agnes tried not to think about it too much. For if she did, she knew she’d only begin trembling again as she had when she’d woken up this morning, and she’d only just managed to make herself stop.

Though whether she trembled with worry or excitement, it was hard to tell. Her mind was all aflutter with every emotion imaginable, at least the ones expected of a young woman about to be married. Why shouldn’t it be, after all? Her life as she knew it was about to change in such a grand way, she’d have a new home, a new name.

A new husband.

Oh, how she detested the fact that she couldn’t see her dear Will at this moment. She didn’t think she’d seen him for two days now, and she was sure she might just explode before she even made it down the aisle. “Its bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding, after all," Aunt Winifred had tutted, much to Agnes' annoyance.

Oh well, no matter. It wouldn’t be much longer, it couldn’t be.

Today, she would become Mrs. William Barclay, just as she’d always dreamed she would.

[kindred-sims]

"Papa, don't tremble so much. We haven't even made it down the aisle yet,"

"Oh, come now, Aggie. Its not every day an old man sees his only daughter be married off..."

Once in the dear dead days beyond recall, When on the world the mists began to fall, Out of the dreams that rose in happy throng Low to our hearts Love sang an old sweet song; And in the dusk where fell the firelight gleam, Softly it wove itself into our dream.

Just a song a twilight, when the lights are low, And the flick'ring shadows softly come and go, Tho' the heart be weary, sad the day and long, Still to us at twilight comes Love's old song, comes Love's old sweet song.

Even today we hear Love's song of yore, Deep in our hearts it dwells forevermore. Footsteps may falter, weary grow the way, Still we can hear it at the close of day. So till the end, when life's dim shadows fall, Love will be found the sweetest song of all.

Just a song a twilight, when the lights are low, And the flick'ring shadows softly come and go, Tho' the heart be weary, sad the day and long, Still to us at twilight comes Love's old song, comes Love's old sweet song

"I now pronounce you, husband and wife."

[kindred-sims]

A letter to Matthew Dailey from his daughter Agnes, 189x

Dearest Papa,

I write to you with the most joyous news – your grandson has made his arrival!

As of the time I write this letter, it will have been two weeks ago that he was born. He’s a fine boy, red curls, rosy cheeks and all. Dr. Collins said he’s on track to be quite the happy, fat baby, and that couldn’t make me more delighted. Aunt Winifred has always said that happy, fat babies are good. It means that they’ll grow up strong, that they’ll be healthy. Will says that its fitting, our boy is the son of a farmer after all. The day will soon come where he'll go out to the fields to help his father.

Only, I hope that day doesn’t come too soon, for I can barely let my darling boy out of my arms for a single moment without wanting him back in them. Oh, I think I may in love again, Papa. Only it is a new kind of love that I feel, I can only imagine that it is the same love you and Mama felt when I was born. It is such a wonderful feeling and I enjoy every chance I get to bask in it. Becoming a mother has instilled me with such strength, such drive, it is as if I have been made anew. My world is much bigger now than it once was and I feel as if I have a much grander purpose than I ever would’ve imagined before.

Will sends you and auntie his love. Do come and visit us when you get the chance, you’ll both be quite welcome here and goodness knows I could use the extra help with the baby.

Your loving daughter,

Mrs. Agnes Barclay

P.S. Forgive me, I forgot to mention – your grandson’s name is Charles Matthew Barclay. Charles after Will’s grandfather and of course, I couldn’t go without ensuring that you had a namesake. Although for now we’ve decided we’d like to call him Charlie, as Will and I both agreed that Charles is a bit too formal for a baby.

A letter to Margaret Barclay from her son William, 189x

Dear Mother,

I’m writing to inform you that Aggie and I’s first child has been born.

We’ve named him Charles Matthew, for Grandfather and Aggie’s own father. He’s a strong, healthy boy, and we are both very proud to call him ours. You’re welcome to come and see him any time that you wish, that is, if Papa will allow it. I know you hate to go against his word, but please, consider your grandson. I’d like for you two to meet him before he grows too much.

Regards,

Mr. William Barclay

[kindred-sims]

It was in the late hours of the night that it happened again. Sharp, sudden pains ransacked Agnes’ body without warning, and she knew right away that the baby was about to be born.

Little Charlie lay asleep in his room, watched over by his father while Martha and Dr. Collins tended to Aggie as she labored. This time around, Will was less nervous, but couldn’t help but worry still. It was frustrating to hear his wife’s screams of pain and be helpless to do anything about them, but he didn’t dare show that it was bothering him, less it wake and upset his son.

Still, it didn’t make it any easier for him to listen. This labor was arguably much longer than Charlie’s had been, and Agnes was in more pain than she’d ever been before.

By the time dawn was breaking and the sun began to rise in the sky, another Barclay had entered the world – another little boy. Aggie couldn’t help but feel a strong wave of disappointment as she had so badly wanted a daughter, but the feeling didn’t last very long. For as soon as she looked at her new son for the first time, she’d fallen in love all over again – just as hard, and just as fast as she had when Charlie had been placed in her arms.

She and Will decided to name the little boy Thomas Glenn -- Tommy for short, after Aggie's grandfather. He was a tiny lad, much smaller than his brother, but nonetheless welcomed by his family.

[kindred-sims]

It wasn’t long before Agnes had once again to feel out of sorts. Only this time, she knew what such ailments meant.

It meant that she was about to become a mother again.

It was welcome news and she was all the more glad for it, as she had grown up an only child and had often wanted for siblings of her own. For that, she’d always dreamed of having a home filled with as many children as she wanted, and knowing that Charlie would never be as alone as she was delighted her.

Will received the news just as enthusiastically as he had when she’d been expecting Charlie, if not more so than last time. It seemed his intuition to double the crops was paying off so far, as the upcoming harvest was proving to be quite the large one, and would no doubt be incredibly beneficial to their financial situation.

At least he hoped so, maybe the money wouldn’t go as fast as it usually did in prior harvests. But then again, you never knew, especially now that they would have another mouth to feed…

Regardless, he wasn’t going to worry. Things only had to go up from here, with so much good news inbound in their lives. Their next harvest would be successful, and they’d soon have two children to share in that joy with.

Yes, they had a good life here, and neither Will or Aggie wanted to take it for granted.

[kindred-sims]

A letter to Matthew Dailey from his daughter Agnes, 189x

Dearest Papa,

How cruel must the hands of time be to move this fast? My little boy is now two years old, and has become even more of a handful than ever lately. He has grown so fast in these last few years, and so much! He toddles everywhere nowadays, so much so that all I have to do is look away for one minute and he’s gone, usually running for the door or messing about in the kitchen cabinets with any pot or pan that can find.

He still remains a very darling and good-natured child, however, and Will and I adore him so. I must admit, it does sadden me that Charlie is growing to be as independent as he is, he doesn’t cling to my skirts nearly as much as he used to and seems far more interested in everything that surrounds him. I suppose I cannot fault him, the world seems a very curious place when you’re that small. Lately, he seems most fascinated by the chickens, and often accompanies me whenever I go out to feed them in the mornings. They may end up becoming his best friends, what an amusing thought! I must make it more of a point to ensure that he spends time with children his own age.

Other than that, I have nothing new to report. We are all doing well here in spite of a lesser payout from our harvests, but Will insists that all first harvests are of similar monetary reward. Next time, he says that we’ll plant double what we did before, but I cannot help but worry he might be in over his head. Far be it from me to try and convince him of this, though, he is just as stubborn as his father, even if he refuses to admit it.

All my love,

Mrs. Agnes Barclay

P.S. Do let Aunt Winifred know I’m grateful for the playclothes she sent for little Charlie, he was already beginning to outgrow his former things and I can only let out the seam so much before it becomes obvious. Martha has also been a tremendous help in seeing that he has proper attire, but rest assured I will gladly take any assistance that auntie may be able to offer from Brindleton!

[kindred-sims]

“...come on now, my boy, you’ve almost got it…”

Agnes could hear Will’s encouragement to Charlie as she scrubbed at the dirty laundry in the wash tub. Usually on laundry day, she was content to settle Charlie in a basket next to her so she could keep an eye on him, but in some cases, like today, he’d not been satisfied enough to stay put. Will had offered to watch him instead since he’d just finished in the fields -- as if he needed an excuse to spend time with his son. The little boy was truly the apple of his father’s eye, and Will delighted at any chance he could get to steal him away from Aggie, which were far and few moments considering how often she doted on the lad.

He could not blame her anyhow, just as she could not blame him. Charlie was such a dear boy and was growing so fast these days, crawling as fast he could from place to place. Just recently, he’d been trying to pull himself up on a chair followed by an attempt at his first steps, and thus it was something his parents had been encouraging ever since.

It made a body proud to see, much as it was also bittersweet for Aggie to witness. She loved her son so much she was certain her heart might burst, and was justly admirable of him, but at the same time, it was agony to see him sprout up this fast. Oh, if only she could grab the clock hands and hold them in place until she was ready for them to keep moving, if only.