Handsboro Aug 28^th 1864      

           

My Darling Irwin

                                    What an agreeable surprise! Aunt has just handed me your darling communication of the 12^th inst. so the Yanks must have absconded the Bay at last. the mail had not reached Ocean Springs at two o'clock yesterday but we have been unable to learn the cause. but at least the Wednesday's mail has come. I was sitting en deshabille with my head resting on my hand wondering what you were doing & if I was not the first uppermost in your vision, wishing I was strong enough to write you (for I had been quite sick again) to send by hand as far as Selma. Your letter came & after perusing it several times find my strength rapidly increasing & have at last mustered up courage enough to undertake the formidable pleasure. I wrote you a note or rather scratched one yesterday to send by a Mr. Tryon of the 20^th Miss. Vols. but must attempt to make amends by being very particular this time. Don't be uneasy about me now for my ill health this time is occasioned by eating a quince just before retiring last night but it made me very sick for a short time. did you ever eat one? if so you understand the oppression felt on lying down. I venture to say you would not kiss me now if you could. my face is as yellow as gold & my lips drawn & compressed to prevent dizziness, my hair arranged for comfort & my garb indicating that the wearer was studying ease & pleasure more than any thing else my tongue indicates billiousness as plainly as my features do. I feel very well when sitting down but the minute I attempt to stand the blood rushes to my face followed by sharp pains in my temples & dimness of vision. but I'm so much better since the receipt of my blessing that I hope to be quite well tomorrow, except / the lameness in my back which they (meaning the learned ones) tell me will never be strong again. At first I felt rebellious at this visitation of God's will but now I'm reconciled as it will enable me to require your caresses & attentions to a greater degree than I could otherwise have hoped for reasonably (judging from home folks) if I start down stairs Laura says "Nettie please let me go what do you want? can I get it? & many other little acts of kindness not from her alone but all the family. for instance, knowing how fond I am of the scuppernong (if the spelling is not correct I can't help it 'tis not in the dictionary) grape she went down to our old place & has just returned with a bowlfull. I am peculiarly fortunate in having so good a home & kind friends to say nothing of the excellencies of my lover but I trust my gratitude & love prove sufficient compensation else the debt will never be cancelled.

 

Speaking of grapes let me give you the conclusion of a visit to Mrs. Taylor two or three days since. after the sun had nicely set Mrs. T. proposed going to the arbor & trying to find some scuppernongs of [paper hole] but on arriving found them "sour grapes" to those not able to climb. first Mrs. T. proved her agility by mounting one & called on me to follow suit which I did not at the same arbor though Aunt Mary not to be outdone got up on one end of the one I had appropriated & Mrs. T. took a stand on a box under our arbor. Aunt crossed on the scantlings but I quickly seated my self at the most accessible point & twas best as the denoument will prove. I heard quite a sigh & looked up in time to see Aunt descending on all fours the scantling had broken on the opposite side & she was literally crawling to the ground but not one alone broke the whole affair on one side leisurely gave way. Mrs. T. was wounded on the head (since recovered) & was the only one injured by the fall. So Lizzie had to apologize for the shortness of her letter by abusing me did she? I knew that before though as she finally consented to show me something she said about me that was put there for my perusal more than yours but as it served her as an excuse I have not the slightest objection. I am very much obliged to you for the implied reproof in those few words "I don't think that / was kind as she was writing to me". You ought to be grateful that you were not the tormented individual instead of scolding because I tease someone else. never mind you need not get jealous for I promise to reserve my wondrous faculty for torturing & in[?]ing flies from marsh straw, scraps of paper &c. till my liege lord returns. by the way let me give you something to laugh at. two weeks since some ladies of Handsboro assumed different costumes from those usually worn by females & paid two or three visits on the other side of the bayou finally two gents & one lady went to the justice of the peace to see him about the chance of having the matrimonial bonds united at that unseemly hour. Mr. Tom Sweetman wished to see the license, which was handed him. he looked at it read & reread then read again & finally concluded that he had to go to the house for his hat that being an indispensable article. the couple soliciting his attention waited at the gate at least half an hour & concluded that all was not right the brother of the girl went in & lo! the house was vacant. the back window was ajar thus solving the mystery. the unknown personages went to the squires mothers where they found them. it seems the girl had gotten his brother's license & the conclusion arrived at was that the Yankees had been to see him perhaps murdered & certainly robbed him. When he returned to his home after having deemed that the hat was necessary he went to his wife's room who was sleeping he said "Jane, Jane for God's sake get up the Yanks are here, get up take one child & I'll take the other. get the silver & watch, leave by the window & get to Mother's as quick as possible". he was obeyed for his better half did not even wait to dress. they arrived at "Mothers" foot sore & out of breath when they were met with laughter by the old lady & the murdered brother. 'tis needless to say they have been the laughing stock of the neighborhood ever since /

 

Aug 29^th darkness compelled me to stop last evening. I left the letter on the table & went down stairs to supper or rather to sit with them as I could not eat. While thus occupied a terrible storm came up & I ran up here to find out the fate of the letter but twas missing paper was actually flying over the house yard & garden. I had no idea I would ever see this again but got up early to search. twas under the bed & I was very glad to see it. who was the apparently perfect young lady you wished me to see? Miss Fry? she was not in town & I would not have gone to see her, as I do not think her photograph characteristic of a lovable being. I don't wonder that you did not fancy her for a wife. I am going to ask you a question rather impertinent I know nevertheless I believe you will answer it. Did you never think of making Lizzie your companion in future joys or sorrows? if not why did you write that piece in her album signed Jik? But perhaps you do not view the secretness of those books of momentos as I do. I could never write in one unless I felt the deepest [paper holes] the piece the last line I believe reads "And hope for our future, one home & one name". Now had you written that in my album my heart if not given to another would have been dedicated to you. Do I remember how anxious you were to know if I was engaged? I should think so as twas about the only thing you did ask when we were alone until after you stole the kiss. so you thought me nearer perfection then than any of your female friends. What! after using that horrid expression or phrase. but believe me twas innocently said as I never knew until you kindly & thoughtfully told me not to use it that 'twas improper. bless you my darling for correcting me. Do you remember the day you were asking me for my opinion of you & how embarrassed I was Oh! you were cruel that day you might have seen that 'twas agony to me to give you the set description any one would have given. Oh! how happy you made me the next day but you could see that from my telltale face. I never had such a thrill of joy in my life before but my darling good bye. Mr. C. leaves this morning for Selma & I must get him to carry this around for fear the Yankees will stop it in Biloxi. Aunt sends love & God bless you my Irwin & permit me once more to see you coming through our gate. Yours devotedly

Jennie

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