Johnstown. February 4^th 1865

                                                                         Saturday Evening

 

My Friend Frank,

                                    Your interesting letter reached me three days ago. I went to the country from Blairsville—the place from which I last wrote—and was gone almost three weeks, so that it was four weeks from the time I left home before I returned. As I had not expected to remain in the country so long my friend in town did not forward my letters, and I found five waiting for me in B—. I had a nice time in the country. It was splendid sleighing and I was fortunate enough to enjoy it, as I had the pleasure of the finest young gent in the neighborhood for a gallant. Was I not fortunate. I believe I told you that I was visiting with the sister of the gentleman who is paying attentions to me. I must tell you a good joke. Some one asked Sue—his sister—something about a gentleman of my acquaintance, and she spoke up and said that “Mollie had a beau in the army, and she thought was engaged to him.” When asked who it was, she replied “Frank C. M.” She had heard your name mentioned [?] and had drawn her own conclusions from it. To save suspicion from falling on the right one, I said nothing, as they were not acquainted with you. And, after that, where I would have an escort to a party or singing, I would be threatened with “Frank C.” Finally Porter his brother in law began questioning me pretty closely about my affianced, and I told him that he was altogether mistaken about you. He then declared he would ask Will and find out; so when Will went down for me, he began to question him pretty closely. I was much amused at the way he got out of telling on himself. He and I had—as I thought—finally come to the conclusion to break/off our intimacy, as I would not yield to his wish in regard to the church matter. But since he found I was so determined, he is not at all satisfied with the course things have taken, and seems very much inclined to seek a renewal, but I do not know how it will be. You say you do not think I can love him, or I would not dread to meet him. You are not far from the truth, for I did love once, and do not believe I ever can love another. Oh, Frank, my heart is so heavy and sad sometimes, pining for its lost love. I still think he will come back sometime and all difficulty will be explained. I respect and esteem Will very highly, but I can never give the fond affection which I have to the other so freely. But I must not make you sad. I can imagine how you would enjoy the time spent with your affianced. The hours would fly on swiftest wings, and the longest evening would be all too short to say all which was in your hearts. You are truly happy in marrying for purest love./

 

Morning—I dreamed a strange dream last night. I dreamed that my friend Frank came to see me, and we were having a gay, social time, I only wish the dream were true. I must close hurriedly—excuse haste.

                                                Mollie.

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