Mobile, May 15^th 64.

 

My Dear Brother,

                        The day after you left Mobile, your kind letter of 30^th ult. was received & although I have had the pleasure of seeing you since it was written, feel that I must answer it to wish you joy! My brother, why did you not tell me of your happiness so that I might have congratulated you? I am rejoiced & sincerely hope & most earnestly pray that it may be lasting. How I should like to see the object of your affections! Tell me her name and all about her whom you write; do not think that I ask merely to gratify idle curiosity, but because I am interested in all that concerns my brother. The morning of your departure, I went to bid Mrs. Carter good-bye / (she went up the country in the afternoon) & dearly paid for my walk in the morning air, with a chill; so you can imagine how little I feel like teaching. I succeeded in keeping off the chill yesterday, but felt so badly to-day that I was unable to attend church. How do you like your new home? it is home, is it not, as long as you remain there? I do not now wonder that you should want to return to Ocean Springs; does she live here or at Handsboro?

 

It is too late now to say anything of "Bessie", & perhaps it is just as well; but I think (although I hardly know what I should have done under the circumstances) I should not have depended entirely on the word of a stranger, as he might have been mistaken / It seems that Mrs. P. has received two letters from her recently & were she married, she certainly would have mentioned it. But, I will say no more; if the old wound is closed, it would be cruel in me to open it afresh. Forgive me, Brother, if I have given you pain by writing thus. You will not be offended, will you? I hope you will soon be united with her you love & that you will live many many happy years. I wish you had talked to me of her while you were here

 

I neglected to give you sister Anola's shoes on Wednesday; what shall I do, if I cannot exchange them; how can I send them to her, or the others should I be so fortunate as to effect an exchange? I have am really ashamed of having kept them so long / and sister Anola will think me very negligent, I fear, but it has not been my fault & I hope she will excuse me.

 

I do miss you all so much & wish they would send you back to Mobile; what sort of a place is Bonsecour? Are there any families living in the place & where is it?

 

            I can not write you a long letter this time as my head aches & my eyes also.

 

Mother & Aunt Sallie send love the latter is going on the Rail Road tomorrow to spend a few days. Remember me to all my friends, and accept much love, from

                                                           

Your Aff. sister

Lizzie

 

Write soon. It is growing so dark that I can hardly see

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