You remember, Willie, it is where they make candy.^{4
There is some evidence that Willie had accompanied his parents the previous year on their tour of the Eastern states, which included a visit to the Folsoms in Somerville. Willie would have been only 4 years old at the time, but Ellen guessed that he would have been impressed enough by the candymakers and the novelty of the streetcars in nearby Boston (par. 6 below) to remember them. That Willie traveled with his parents to Somerville and Boston in 1858 is inferred from the memoirs of J. N. Loughborough, who traveled with them. He recalled an incident involving Willie that happened in October 1858 while they were en route to Massachusetts.
See: J. N. Loughborough, “Sketches of the Past—No. 110,” Pacific Union Recorder, Jan. 26, 1911, p. 1.} We are trying to get rested up for the meeting next Sabbath.1EGWLM 701.4

As we were riding from Springfield [Massachusetts] to Berlin [Connecticut], there were three children in the [railroad] cars. One was a little boy about your age. He was dressed very prettily. I think his hair curled, but although he looked handsome, he was not so, for he did not behave well. He disturbed those who sat near him by his loud, sharp voice, contending and plaguing his sisters until they had no peace. They told him they should tell his mother but he did not seem to care, and he behaved so rudely that we were all glad when he got off the cars. I thought then how badly I should feel if my little Willie was so disagreeable.1EGWLM 701.5

Now, Willie, that badly-behaved boy with pretty clothes did not make people love him. His pretty face did not make them love him. His behavior made those who had the care of him ashamed of him, and all seemed pleased to get rid of the troublesome boy.1EGWLM 702.1

If Willie acts well, if he is gentle, kind, and obedient, father and mother will love him and all good people will love him.⁵

See: Lt 5, 1859 (Sept. 6), note 4.

1EGWLM 702.2

Willie, I must tell you about Margaret's [Margaret Folsom]⁶

Identity: See later in the same paragraph: “Sister Folsom.”

cats. She has two cats just alike, just of a bigness. They are just the color of a rat, Maltese color. Sister Folsom takes a piece of meat and holds it up to her shoulder and the kitties will give a spring and climb to the top of her shoulder for the meat and then get down and eat it. These kitties are good, faithful kitties. They catch great big rats. They don't eat them, but bite off their heads and leave them.1EGWLM 702.3

Willie, we had a ride in the horse car again.⁷

Horse-drawn streetcars running on rails were beginning to appear in major American cities in the 1850s. For Boston the launch came in 1856. Carrying upward of 40 passengers, they provided a quieter and more comfortable ride than the old stagecoaches and omnibuses.

See: Chaim M. Rosenberg, The Great Workshop: Boston's Victorian Age, p. 20.

You remember them!1EGWLM 702.4

Tell Grandpa and Grandmother⁸

Both sets of Willie's grandparents were living in Battle Creek during these years, but since Robert and Eunice Harmon were in Iowa on an extended visit at this time, this reference must be to his paternal grandparents, John and Betsey White. On the visit of the Harmons to Iowa in 1859, see Ms 8, 1859 (note on Nov. 16 entry)

that we have not forgotten them. We hope they are well. You must try to make them happy. They love you very much. Do just as Jenny [Jane Fraser]^{9
Jane Fraser had worked in the White household since about 1852, and later had responsibility for the children during Ellen and James White's travels. In W. C. White's later recollections he calls her “my foster mother until I was five years old.”
See: W. C. White to Rosetta Perry, Apr. 30, 1928.} would have you, my own dear boy.1EGWLM 702.5

From your affectionate mother.1EGWLM 702.6

Here is a peppermint, Willie.1EGWLM 702.7

Lt 5, 1859

Lt 6, 1859