Nursing

Well, I must now tell of my slightly successful attempt at nursing. When I was much younger, there was a very large and exciting war going on. Being the tomboy I am, I wanted to fight, but I had to settle for nursing. After I had sent in my application letter, I started to study Nurse Nightingale's tips and notices. I waited for weeks for that letter to arrive, constantly checking the mail. I needed to support my family! I finally got my letter of acceptance, and was immediately shipped off to the "hospital" that was really only an old train station. Oh, how I enjoyed those first weeks, although there was not enough air. I love to be outdoors and in the woods with the trees. It inspires me. Back to the story. After I had stayed a few weeks there caring for the ill, I got sick myself. I refused to let my roommates tell my parents, as I did not want them to worry, but when I became delirious, they sent a letter by post. I was taken home on the train and cared for by my family. After that experience, I have been constantly weak, and cannot do anything for a long period of time. I must check on Little Louisa now!

Continued

Now, as I was saying earlier, my family was quite poor. We moved around so much, and my father never really had a real job! Of course, at the moment he is touring in Boston, I believe, and is being welcomed quite warmly. Hopefully he can recover there from his recent illness. I am rather turning this "autobiography" into a second diary! No matter, it can't hurt to have more than one. I laugh now, but at one point in my life I was told I could not write! Ha! Next I will write about my near fatal attempt at nursing for the army. That will be the next "chapter"!

My Autobiography

I have decided to write an autobiography of myself so when I die, May's daughter can read about me since she is very little, and I am very old and sickly. I suppose I should start with a basic history of myself. I was born on the 29th day of the eleventh month, in the year of 1832, as the second daughter of Mr. Bronson Alcott and Mrs. Abby May Alcott. Of course, because of all my books and written stories, I am very successful now, but it was not always that way. My family was actually quite poor, and I have spent most of my life paying the bills. Well, I must stop writing for the moment, as I am feeling weak.