[page 1]
Line Creek Feb 11th /59
My Dear Lou,
Perplexed by a con-
fused train of thought, we seek
some loved object through the
medium of [illegible] we can dis-
sipate our cloud of care, Under
circumstances like these, I seek
you (who have ever driven far from
me every dream of sadness to
hold sweet converse (through the
pen which is the tongue of
the absent) so says [illegible] with
one though absent yet oft remem-
[page 2]
bered. Molly how we miss thee!
We hear not thy merry laugh
nor thy sprightly and winning
conversation! It has been truly
said that we know not the
true value of a friend till
till we lose him - or her if
you prefer it!
I suppose you are
enjoying yourself very much, but
could you have looked in
upon "dear little Line Creek"
and especially "our old Home-
stead" on Saturday evening
you would have said that
while Enjoymment was hovering
around with high wings, it
paused here, to cheer us by
his presence.
[page 3]
Mr. Littlepage has returned and
has bought a horse! (as fine
a crittur as ever was seen)!
so that he is perfectly
wild, first here and then
there to & fro like a butter-
fly; She was in fine order
when he bought her, but he
uas used her so roughly that
she has the appearance of
being fed on gridirons. he
wishes to sell but on account
of a fracture on the skull
caused in a fit of passion
by a severe blow with a
stick he cannot find a
purchaser! How I wish you
were here! I am enjoying
myself very much. He was
here the other day with
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your "cousin William". You
would have enjoyed it
finely. Do you remember
the fishing parties? [Its ?]
a revival of the same.
Your brother and
Mr. Jones called to see us
the other day. What a
compliment! the handsomest
gentlemen in the neighborhood.
Fannie Reid is
in better spirits than when
you left. favorable [illegible]
I imagine from [illegible]
besides an announcement the
other day that she was to
be married.
I fear that I
have woried you but trusting
in your pardon if I have
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[written upside down at top of page 1]
You must come home soon. We are
all so anxious to see you. Your
Ma is very well and in fine spirits
and Will is looking splendidly!
I am obliged to keep strict guard
over my [honor ?] for fear of arrest.
[page 6]
[written sideways on page 1]
When you write send a message
to your "Cousin William"
so I can tell him. He is
looking finely and flourishing
handsomely with a fine pair
of bay ponies. (Hurrah for
the Merriwethers.) [Me ?] and
William!
[illegible]
Good [night ?]
Quite enthusiastic on
some subjects! Am I
not? Dont tell
Julia