Johnstown, P^a, Dec. 19^th /64

                                                                                Monday Evening

 

                                    This is Temple evening, but as it is wet and stormy, I am not going out, but will employ the time in writing to my friends. On Saturday evening I sat down, thinking to write three or four letters, but by the time I had written a sheet of foolscap and crossed one side of it, and written around the edges, to my most intimate it was after ten, and my other letters had to lay over. Since commencing this letter one of my friends came in, and in listening to the news of her approaching nuptials, an hour slipped away before we knew it, for you know there is always a charm in that subject.

 

Allow me to say that your last letter pleased me better than any previous one, for there was an air of such perfect/freedom in it. I guess we were both alike—afraid to write our thoughts for fear we would be misunderstood.

 

Teusday Evening. I was obliged to lay my writing away last evening, and have been too busy all day to resume it. Anna and I have just finished writing some anonymous letters for the fair which is to be held in town this week, under the auspices of the “Soldiers-Aid-Society.” I wish you could be here to help us enjoy the holidays. I feel real disappointment that you did get here, for you know a single man is always more attractive than a married one; for in the latter case we cannot flirt and make somebody awfully jealous. Are you shocked? You did not think I would stoop to the level of a coquette, did you? Now just allow me to justify myself by telling you that I only flirt when I find a gent inclined to favor me in that way, then I try to use my skill as well as I can./

 

In my first acquaintance with the one who will likely be my husband, I thought he was trying to get up a fliration with me, for I never dreamed that he would think for a moment of paying serious attentions to me, knowing the obstacle there would be to our union. So, I took up the gauntlet, and carried it on till one evening some remark he made showed me where we were drifting if we did not soon stop. So I told him that we had just gone as far as was practicable, and we would stop before we got into farther trouble. Then came words which moved me to say, “But you know it cannot be, for you will expect me to be a Presbyterian, which is a step which I never can take.” Ever since that night in last June, I have been continually urged to give up my church, and have had arguments of every shape presented to me to move me from my position./

 

But thanks to Him who answers prayer, I have been enabled to stand firm, although the earthly love has been strong enough to ofttimes rend my heart in direst agony. I have said to him “give it up, it cannot be for I never can give up my church priveleges and the doctrines which have been instilled into my mind and heart from my earliest youth. I would be afraid that by yielding to the earthly love, I might lose the heavenly, which is of far more importance.” But he said “wait, and perhaps we can adjust the difficulty.” So it has been pending ever since. But, by my request, we will decide in a few days what course to pursue. But you may rest assured that Mollie will remain a Methodist. As soon as the question is settled—if in the affirmative—I will let you know his name./

 

Thank you very much for showing your appreciation of my friendship by giving me the name of your “Ladie faire”. I sincerely hope that our united prayers and words may result in your turning your whole attention to the subject of your soul’s conversion.  Morning—

 

I had quite a time last evening, for, as I refused to tell to whom I was writing, some of them tried to take the letter from me, and you may imagine how much I would want them to see this letter. Give my kind regards to Miss Aggie Jaris—do I spell the last name correctly? Please excuse this miserable writing, as I know you could not help but do could you see the difficulties under which I write. Do you think I am doing right in remaining firm?

 

            Write soon to your friend

                                    Mollie E. Bowen

 

[overwritten]   Please excuse these unfortunate blots, they couldn’t help it.

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