Johnstown Nov 8^th 1865

                                                                             Teusday Evening

 

My Friend Frank—

                                    According to promise I write to give you the news of my marriage. I was married the 28^th of September to W^m W. Pike—Anna’s brother-in-law.

 

It is not that I like the family so well that I have chosen to enroll my name among them—for there is a mutual antagonism between us—so much so that my presense at his father’s house would not be at all acceptable. My brother-in-law was a noble man—but his sisters are not like him with one exception./They do not like it because I am not a member of their church. I am a stauch Methodist, and they know it.

But my husband loves me and is devoted to me, and I will have happiness enough in his society to compensate for the lack of the rest. I know it would be pleasanter for him were it otherwise—and for his sake I could wish it had been different—for my own I do not care.

 

Married life is very pleasant to me. It is happiness beyond expression to have the dear arms of my husband encircle me—and to pillow my head on his breast, and feel that to him I am more than all else beside. To feel and know that when all his love for his family was put in the balance—that his love for me outweighed them all!

 

I feel that he is eminently worthy of all the wealth of love which I bestow on him.

 

I was always afraid that constant association together would diminish the fervor of love,/but my experience has been to the contrary. You know I am not very trusting, but here I am forced to trust.

 

I am anxious to know how your new life has pleased you. I have been hoping almost against hope some chance mail would bring me a letter—but still I have hoped in vain. Shall I still be doomed to disappointment? I trust not. I had hoped to begin housekeeping this week, but find I will have to wait a week or two longer. I feel anxious to know how you like it.

 

I believe I asked you some time ago for a photo of your wife—I would like to put it beside yours. Surely you will not fail to gratify me. I have had very good health this summer for me. Anna and the rest are well. My husband joins me in kind regards to you and your wife.

 

Please write soon to your friend as ever

                                                Mollie E. Pike.

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