Sumter S. C.
Sept. 13, 1867

My dear Fuller:--

We have been having some of your extra rain I think, at any rate we have had rain enough to set us all afloat if we lived on anything b ut a sand heap through which the rain filters down to subterranean regions as fast as it falls. It is evening and I have been watching the eclipse of the moon. Such lovely evenings as we have in this country in summer when the moon shines. It seems twice as brilliant as at home. A large dish of grapes stands before me -- white & black (the grapes, not the dish: that is yellow.) Do you want to know how they gather grapes in this country?

They climb the tree and shake them down, & then go down & pick them up. That arrangement however is less owing to the enterprise of the inhabitants or the size of the fruit, than to the height of the trees which the grape vines persist in climbing.

I have tonight learned that our glorious President has finally fired his biggest gun and issued his "Amnesty Proclamation." Language is powerless to express one's feelings in view of such an outrageous villain as his accidency proves himself. I trust he can do us no lasting injury, but these things must greatly retard reconstruction. I wonder what will turn up next. I long for Mr. Wittemore to get back. It seems as if South Carolina was safe only when he is here. It is good for me that Sumter has such a very large majority of colored people, not one of whom would see a hair of my head injured. Let the rebels get as rampant as they may, they dare not touch me. But you don't know what a state of things this will create. Is A. J. possessed with a demon or is he the very father of mischief himself? I wonder he did not reinstate slavery while he was about it.

I will send you some okra seeds before long. I think it grows pretty well at the North---the first I ever saw was at Bridgewater, Mass. I will learn all I can about the cultivation and tell you. The seeds look like sweet peas; the plant like cotton at first & then shoots up tall like a holly-hock, with straw-colored flowers exactly like a holly-hock. The fruit looks exactly like that of the asclepia--what at home we call milk-weed or silk week. It is used green--chiefly in gumbo or vegetable soups. Some like it simply boiled, but I do not as it then has a sliminess about it particularly disagreeable.

Your list of prices received. Please compare them with mine. Butter 45¢ per lb. Condensed milk 50¢ per can, and new milk 00 -- at least that is all I give people who bring it to me. Irish potatoes not to be had at any price, as ours are gone and Northern not in the market. Sweet ditto 00 to those who have them in the garden as I do; I don't know what other people pay for them. Apples eggs & chickens--same as sweet potatoes when you have them given to you--I believe eggs are 20¢ per doz. of the country people. I buy none of those things as I have plenty given me. Now I really hope you will praise me for taking so much pains to get up a list of prices for your benefit.

Your letter seems to be nearly all "to be omitted," only unfortunately the information is reserved until the part to be omitted is "done read" as the people say. Next time you want a page omitted just say so at the top if you please and not wait till you reach the bottom. I truly sympathise with you in your nasal affliction How much trouble a little thing will make itself! There is a great deal of sickness about me now. One of my little pets--a bright little boy was kicked by a cow the other day & his leg was broken just above the knee. Poor little fellow, he bears it as patiently as he can, but it is hard work. He looks out for any visit every day, and if he is in ever so much pain always greets me with the same bright smile, and then a wistful look will come over his face, and a glance down at my hand if I have not a little package for him. I always carry him something, for I love to have him look for me so. He says to his mother every morning "My teacher will come today I know she will. What do you think she will bring me?" His little sister says she does wish her leg was broke so she could have so many pretty things.

Some of these children are real pretty--I wish you could see them. Miss Breck used to laugh at me for petting my little boys so;--she could not see anything cunning in them she said. I think them just as cunning as white children, and have not the slightest objection to have them hang about my chair and play with my watch or hair if they like to. By the way, did I ever tell you my hair was short, and has been ever since I came down South last? I had it cut just before I left home. It grows very slowly, and has only needed cutting once since. But it is so thick--twice as thick as before.

My brother writes me of the birth of a little boy last Friday. He seems very much delighted as of course he ought to be. I am glad there is one boy to keep up our distinguished name.

My pen has gone at its own sweet will tonight. I hope you will be charmed with the result. Please give my love to Mrs. Fisk, and accept the same from

Yours

Jennie.