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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
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.