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Answered on the 5 - of June, 1870.

Miss M Tyler Jerusalem South-Ampton Co. Va

My room May 31st /70

Dear Coz Mattie At breakfast this morning, I was speaking of you, And praising your merits, as I so often do. A picture so vivid in memory came. If I portrayed it in words (the deed can you blame) - That loved dining room, with its log fire burning And close by the window Nancy talking & churning Old Hector stretched out, barring the door - And Dallas purring at your feet on the floor. On a low rocking chair, curls shading your face, Sat loved "Cousin Mattie" in inimitable grace, A book lay beside you, it was Spencers "Fairy Queen" And a basket of work, on the other side could be seen Thus, your your time you divided, between serving & reading. 'Till I almost envied the quiet life you were leading. The room contained another, a lazy young Elf! You know who that was, before I name myself It was Saturday morning - you understand - Why we watched a letter in Cousin Jimmies hand And simultaniously cried "is it for me!" While he - laughing - replied "No! so do let me be." And this is the picture, very simple 'tis true, But I see it so often when thinking of you, Now 'tis time that I left all those dreams of the past And come to the realities of the present, at last! To begin with, I've something so sad to tell 'Tis the fate that my poor little turtle befell - It got out of its home (a glass dish on a table) And two days we searched, but to find it were unable

This morning Oh horrors!my heart felt like lead

It was found 'neath the sofa - very cold and quite dead. Don't tell Mr Sebrelle what a sad fate it met. It was not my fault! I loved the dear "little pet" When you walk by the river should another you find If you'd send it to me 'twould be very kind. And believe me Coz Mattie, I will remember the past, And make the next home more secure than the last. You said once you'd like me to read O. [Na's ?] "Lucile" I am reading it now, you know not how interested I feel. Where I "left off" Lucile had just left "Saint Saviour" And I am exasperated at the french Dukes behaviour I suppose it must be, as I found the book sublime That I first thought of writing in (such very bad) rhyme. I suppose Miss Romine has many beaux on her list. And her sweet, manifold charms who could resist. She is lovable and pretty as a cooing young dove, Don't forget Cousin Mattie to give her my love. Remember me kindly to Uncle James and Mr Shands I must close, my evening toilette my time now demands Kind love to Cousin Jimmie ere I send this - And for dear little Willie a rousing big kiss. Remember Coz Mattie my "kind regards" extends To all (if I have any) enquiring friends. Good-bye dear Cousin, you know very well You have the heart-felt love of Cousin

                                  Nettie Rochel

P.S. I have heard that one of the Yankee opinions Is that the "FFVs" mean "Fleet footed Virginians" Ma's just come in and sends lots of love And all the good blessings from the powers above If this goes to-night I've no time to waste. The whole of this letter is written in haste Oh my! Cousin Mattie my heart it most breaks To send you a letter so full of mistakes.