.MjM2OQ.Mzc4MA

This item is currently being transcribed by a volunteer. We look forward to making the full text of the document available soon.

Southampton Court House, Virginia Sunday eve; August the 29th 1869.

Not one word from Papa, good, bad, or indifferent; This mule[?], or rather [...] should say; not since the 5th of the month. I have taxed my brain in vain for a reason for this - but can find none, and now write to know if you can assign a good one. I dont want any but a good one and Papa knows that he should have a very good one, for neglecting me so. I answered that letter more than ten days ago; and have looked for another by every mail - but alas! have meet with disappoint ments each time. I received a long letter from Mollie Woodward, and also one from Lizzie Tyler last mule; I received one from Aunt Lilly last mule. They are all well. When it turns cooler, I will answer them all! Although I expect to spell half of the words wrong) but it is so hot now that I cannot even try to write If it would only rain, it would turn cooler; but we have not had rain enough to wet the ground for more than two months; The farmers say that there would not be more than twenty barrels of corn made on this farm, this year. Well! I was fool enough to go to the Pic-nic - but had a very dull time indeed and wished myself at home before night. Willie went with me and had a chill, he was quite sick; which was one reason why I didnot injoy myself any more than I did

Mami[e?]

       [...] have exp[...] [...] your [...] of the [13th?]

[to?] [not?] [liken?] the most of our hopes in this world, a vain one. I agree with you in thinking it better to [mourn?] for old friends "later than [never?]," and tho an old adage has proved a true one on this occasion, for I thought that you had forgotten your [pal?] of happier hours. and that I would no more [receive?] a [...] of love [and?] affection from dear old Raleigh more than a year ago. I wrote to Cousin [Georgina?] asking her if a visit from me would be pleasant to her & yours self, but as I never received any answer to my letter, I [?] gave my [...] up for the [...] It would give me much pleasure to accept your own and Mr [Withwall's?] kind invitation to spend the approaching Christmas with you all, but I find it impossible to leave home at this time.

Aunt Lilly wishes me to spend it with her in Baltimore, but it seems that fate has riveted the links of lifes chain which bind me in old Southampton; too strong for my womans hands to sever, and I must spend this once happy but now sadest of all seasons to me at home. Jimmie say that he finds [...] by your [...] [...nsuming?] his letter; she bids me give you & Cousin [...] his kindest regards; and ask you how much [...] he should have to wait for Florence, he has [...] ten years, and thinks his time of [...tion should [...] be [...].