Johnstown June 21^st 1865

                                                                                         Teusday Evening

 

My Friend Frank

                                    Do not think that I am displeased with your long silence, that I have been silent so long. Since I wrote to you before, we have changed our residence to the house in which Dr. Teasley used to live and had his office. It is a large brick on the upper corner of Main and Bedford streets. I expect you know where it is. The house is large—we have eight boarders—Anna is in Pittsburg and the only help we have is a little girl of fourteen—so you may imagine my time is pretty much taken up.

 

While I am writing, some articles of wedding apparel—don’t start—are lying on the table waiting for my fingers to form them into wearable shape./

 

If you think strange that I am going to be married, perhaps you will think stranger yet when I tell you that I love my betrothed far more than ever I did that other one. As long as my mind was undecided about accepting him, I was undecided as to the strength of my affection to him. The [?] was, I was determined not to love him if I could by any means keep from it. But when he told me that sooner than give me up, he would lay aside all prejudice, and allow me perfect freedom in religious matters—when I found that I dare allow my feeling full vent, then I knew that my heart had found a resting place. That was the last of March, and although in daily association with him for he boards with me—I find that my affection never wanes, but rather increases. I will now tell you who he is. Anna’s brother-in-law—Will W. Pike. He is a trimer, and is carrying on for himself. He is doing a good business—is six years older than I am—will be twenty-nine in the fall. He is universally respected—I am not partial in saying this. We have not yet fully decided whether to be married in August/or October, but I am getting ready for August. Although we spend much time together, we have thus far succeeded in eluding the vigilance of the other boarders. As far as I can judge, I do not think one of them suspects us. One of them is so much in the dark that he is teasing me every opportunity he gets to become his wife. Will says he thinks the gent will open his eyes some day—it is fun for him. he teazes me a good deal about it.

 

I wrote a letter, about a month ago, and directed it to Miss Agnes Voris, inquiring what had become of “Frank”. did she ever get it. I knew you could not give me an account of the wedding, so you did not attempt it. I shall expect the fullfillment of your promise in regard to both you and Aggie writing me a full account. If you want a full account of my wedding, you had better do it.

 

But as it is getting late, I must close—especially as Will has come in and is looking over my shoulder. With much love to both Frank and Aggie I must say good-night. Write soon—very soon to your

                                                friend  Mollie E. Bowen

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