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Note to Swem: this letter is from Lettie (not Hattie) as the title indicates.

Linden, Oct 12th 1863

My Darling Nina,

This is the second letter that I have

commenced to you today. In writing the first, I had so

many interruptions and was so unfortunate as to turn

my ink over on the paper, that I had to throw it aside and

commence another. I was in the midst of a whole host of

apologies to you for not having written before, and four

North Carolina horseman came in and wanted to know

if they could dine here, and having given them permission,

Nannie and I had to attend to them as Mama is absent

at a sick neighbor's. But I will proceed to give in any

excuses. All the past week I have had company, day

and night. And another week before I knew Miss Hattie

would write and inform you of everything of importance

and interest that had transpired since you left, so I

concluded that I would wait until I could find some

thing that would interest you. I was so glad to hear

from you so soon and that you thought enough of me

to write so soon when you had so many other friends

to write to. I do hope you will have a pleasant home

and teachable scholars and I think you well pretty

apt to find or make friends where ever you go.

Miss Hattie and Horace came to see us a few days after

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you left and spent the night. Miss Hattie said she

missed you so much that she was obliged to go away to

get rid of the lonely feeling. I saw her at church yesterday

She is going up to Mr. William Watkins' this week to spend

a few days, or perhaps remain if she likes, as Mr. Watkins

has offered her a situation there to teach his children.

Nannie and I both [visited?] with the church yesterday, and

for the first time, joined with Christians in [commemora-?]

ting the death of our savior by partaking of the Sacramental

Feast. I hesitated some time about joining the church as

soon for fear that I might be denied, for sometimes I

feel almost afraid that I am not a Christian, but I finally

concluded that if I was a Christian, as I hope I am, by connec-

ting myself with the church I might be strengthened and

Confirmed in the Faith, and I felt too as if I wanted to

show to the world that I am not ashamed of Christ, and

to [?] [?] profession of my faith in him. There was an

occasion of 18 or 20 to the church, among whom were Jimmie,

Ella, and [Josey?] [Dupuy?], Mr. Tom C. Scott, Mr. Overby, [?]

Lizzie Womack, Landon Overby, Ned Jeffers, and several whom

I do not know. Briery has for a long time been such a

dead church that I do hope there is a revival, not only among

those outside the church but among the old members.

Aunt Jane and Cousin Anna Dupuy are with us now

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and will probably spend the winter. Nannie has declined

the idea of going to school this winter. Mamma is not

at all pleased with the schools in Danville and thought

it best for Nannie to remain at home this winter and try

and carry on her studies. And you left your bouquet,

did you? We did not discover it until after the cars had

left the platform and found Nannie still holding them

in her hand. Horace took them home with him and has

been carefully watering them every day since you left, to

try and preserve them fresh until you return, but he

came to me in great distress a few days ago and said

that the flowers would drop off despite all his efforts to

keep them on, and said that Miss Hattie told him that

he ought to have hung them up to have dried.

I received a letter from Taylor Johns a few days ago

and he made many inquiries about you. He says that he believes that

you have stolen his heart, as he missed it after seeing

you. If you continue to exercise your thievish propensities

where you now are, I shall not be surprised to hear of you

having been indited for felony. So I warn you as

you prize your fair name and character to desert from

your reckless plunder, or people will be wary how they

allow you to come among them. The young gentleman

before mentioned was begging that I would correspond

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with him, which I shall most emphatically decline doing.

You know my views in regard to corresponding with

young gentlemen and I believe that yours are very

similar. I saw [Jan?] Booker a few days ago, she

said that she intended writing to you very soon, She

complains of being very lonely since [Nelia?] left.

I am very glad that Mr. Stringfellow's daughters

are old enough to be companions for you and hope that

the reserve which you feel toward Mrs. S. will soon

wear off and that she will become more affable and

pleasant as you grow better acquainted with her.

I want you to have a pleasant home and I know

they will all love when they know you. I miss you so

much and shall look forward with much pleasure to

seeing you xmas for you must not think of spending

your xmas anywhere but in Prince Edward.

We heard from Brother yesterday, he is very well, and

says that they have been spending the time very pleasantly

and he hopes profitably also in Orange, Co. They have

prayer meeting every evening and he thinks that

the interest in them seems increasing and he hopes

they will be productive if much good. Do you

hear from Miss Beck often? and does she continue to be

pleased with her situation? You must remind me

to her in much love. Nannie and all join me in much

[sideways writing]

love to you. Write to me often Dear Nina and tell me all about yourself.

[sideways on the front page]

I shall try to be more

punctual in answering

your letters.

Don't forget me

and remember me

always as

Your loving,

Lettie.