5 Oclock—Friday Evening

Oh yes             Piqua Ohio                  April 14^th        1866

 

                                                                                    Dear Webb

                                                                                                I received your kind letter last wednesday in return for the one I sent to you an hour before receiving your most truly welcome missive

 

            Well I want you to know on wednesday afternoon just as I was sealing your letter there was a young lady came to see me Miss Maggie Winans and in a bout five minutes more another one and they stayed all night, and yesterday morning Father started up to St Marys as we had a letter the evening before that Grandfather was still living so Father went out I suppose he will bring Mother with him sure. but when will that be? Mother was to write to us every day and John did not go to the Office yesterday eve so we did not get our letter and there will be another this evening and I expect he will not come / home in time to go down it is too bad us two little Orphans all alone no paper no mama. dont you pity us John is over at the other place at work so I am all the man that is at home. Well I had the pleasure of having Lidie to make me a visit yesterday Oh thunder too what a time we had with fire and no man at home but me but the neighbors come to my aid and assistance and among the hardy few was my friend John Winans. Well I cant tell you about the fire wait till I see you. or Lide. we can both tell you. You wanted to know if Mr. W. called sunday evening he did not.

 

And Webb you know the gent you left here well I did not go in the room again untill I heard him starting I was allmost froze. I thought he never would go. I guess he begun to think I went with you.

 

            Well I am all alone to day and have been washing and churning so I can scarcely use my fingers. Well Webb I will not attempt to finish your letter this evening for I cannot use my fingers they are so sore and they wont bend either they have got the stiff neck /

 

Saturday afternoon. I shall now try to finish your letter. Oh dear me but I am tired I am sitting in the parlor writing by the table. The rocking chair is drawed up in the front door and who do you think is occupying it. Why it is pussie a very respectable person dont you think?

 

            Oh yes I was sitting in the door about 5 minutes ago and saw Mr. Winans and his sister going past a flying in the buggy and now I see the old gentleman just passing in the Spring wagon. I have a notion to pick up my bonnet and run out and to to town with him or no I guess I wont Oh dear but John will get thunder if he dont come home this evening in time to go to the Office he said last night that he did not expect to get time to go. Oh no the men never have time to go any place. if they were smart like the women they could get their work did and plenty time to go. Well my Dear I hardly know what to write Oh yes I wonder if there isnot a letter at the Office from Cousin Webb to Cousin Mollie /

 

Well I wish the horse and buggy were here I bet you this Miller would soon light out for Piqua

 

we came very near having a big rain shower this morning I was most afraid but I tell you I was afraid yesteray evening John did not come home untill long after dark and the girl was afraid the boo boos would catch her. O thunder I cant think of any thing to finish this sheet. Oh yes I will say something pretty to you

 

Forget thee! Forget thee how can I forget

When vows of thy heart with my own linger yet

The vows which you pledged were united with truth

As fresh in thy manhood as strong in thy youth

Forget thee. Forget thee! how can I forget

When not a sigh leaves me which breathes of regret

When not a wish passes but finds in my breast

A hope for thy welfare a prayer for thy rest.

Forget thee! Forget thee. how can I forget

While deeply most deeply thine image is set

And naught from this bosom that image will tear

Forever! yes, ever that image I’ll wear.

Forget thee. Forget thee I cannot forget

While deep in my bosom thime image is set

Well the                                              Ahem

 

            Well the dog is barking and I must go see what the matter is. yes I will go for he will be there. well the sheep were in the orchard that was the matter but the Captain made them light out and was telling all about keeping them out but he just shook his head I guess he did not understand. but I had a romp with the dog and kitten and had them to play untill they got tired I would sit the kitten up on top the board fence and the dog would climb up and push it off Puss did not enjoy the joke to a very great extent strange toy! I did well folks say I allways enjoy myself. but I know I do not there are times when I am very sad though I believe I appear lively but hark the rain falls. I think this will be a rainy day for out door work. Well Webb write when convenient for you to do so and oblige her

 

[verso margins]

 

Webb I have not got that picture yet but you know Ma has been gone why yes poor Oh fiddlesticks. I say and I had no opportunity of getting them but shall do so at no far distant day. well I will quit for this time oh yes when are you coming up again.

 

[Recto top margin, upside down]

 

I dont know whether I will get to send this to the Office this evening or not but I will send as soon as possible. Webb I just thought of it we write to each other oftener now than when you was in the army far from home, never seeing each other and thinking probly we never should. strange aint it. Mollie Miller

Good by Webb from                                                                           Mary to

Your what is it                                                                                    Daniel

yes. well good evening           love     Mollie

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