Johnstown, July 25^th /64

                                                                                     Monday Afternoon

 

My Friend Frank.

                        After the long dry season we have had, the welcome rain has come at last in copious showers. I would much rather it had remained dry till after ten oclock tonight, so that I could have gone to the Lodge. But then I am willing to give up my pleasure for the general good.

 

Your letter of the 17^th was received on Saturday and was a welcome guest. The one which you say you wrote between that date and the 4^th has never reached its destination. You are very likely correct in your opinion that the rebels have captured it. I wonder if they/will appreciate it as much as I would have done. I don’t believe they will. The army news which you sent me I found very interesting, more so than that which I read in the papers.

 

I wish your time would be up in time to attend the Blacklick camp-meeting, which will be about the first of September. I have had an invitation to go, but do not expect to get there, although I would enjoy it very much.

Anna has recovered her usual health. But her sister gets a little headache sometimes, but then I cannot expect much else as I am studying very hard. It is vacation, but I am taking private lessons and am going on just as fast as I am able. I am studying Book-keeping, and have so much writing to do, that it often/takes me from before breakfast till three o’clock in the afternoon to prepare one lesson. Then, by the time I prepare a latin reader, latin grammar, and an arithmetic lesson, you may imagine how much spare time I would have. Sometimes I think I am applying myself too closely, but then there is such a fascination about my books that I cannot give them up. I am very sorry that you are not making more progress in divine life, but I will still hope and pray for better things. I honor you, though, for your honesty in the matter. I had two correspondents in the army—brothers—one of whom used to write to me how well he was getting along in religious matters/when I knew that he was trying to deceive me; while the other would write that it was hard to be a christian in the army, but that he was trying to do the best he could, by the assistance of his Heavenly Father. Now I always had more confidence in the statements of the latter than the former. But then I know that Neddie is a good boy, and always tells the truth. He is coming home in October to study for the ministry. When the sheet is small, is there not some excuse for writing on the last page? Please write soon and let me know.

 

                                    Ever your friend

                                                Mollie E. Bowen.

P.S. Accept kind regards from all. M.

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