1. When there is no punctuation in the document, it is added in brackets if needed for clarity.

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4. The capitalization style in the original document is copied.

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-Mary D. Edwards Summer 2000

Arbor Hill, Va.

Jan. 12th, 1861.

Miss Midie;

In congratulation of your epistle, & the interrogatives therein, which was so very striking indeed; & from such, is a natural impulse on my part to respond, in my feeble way to your missive on the 21st ult. Happy to hear of general health, & the improving of Nic’s mind, & sorry to hear of the casualty of Miss Sue, (on her way to visit you,) which no doubt marred her enjoyment to some extent.

And so you made a break on the Creek at last. Mr. Jas. Hall; Wonder who will follow suit, as you intimated there were several talked of.

Perhaps you for one, as pictures have been passing, & presumed the pen has been running too, with phrases of deepest emotion of mutual affection. ha. ha. "Now what do you think"? Just get the Cologne bottle, & perfume for the Old Target. As for my part, my watch is dumb, & horse have I not.

Should liked to have taught at the Creek this winter: but could not forfeit my work, & leave here; I am however very well satisfied, with neighborhood & boarding residence.

You will have to take wills for deeds; it was out of my power to go either to singing, or to your house.

I did not get home till Sunday prior to Christmas; & on Monday night had my Cousins from Illinois with me, & for that reason could not go to your house on that day: in fact had company nearly every day & night during the Holidays. Was at a Taffy pulling; had a fine time (eating hard Molasses with unwashen [sic] hands .

Did you ever pull any, when you had to spit on your hands to keep it from adhereing [sic] to them? "Oh where did etc etc[.] What foolishness, what foolery.

Miss Eliza send her love to you, & says she is making her wedding dress, out of red calico trimmed with white strings.

Hard times on this side, no doubt with you. disunion and war was the cry, & now a reality. Sad thought, that the ties of the Republic, are bursted[sic].

Oh Washington where are thy warnings? Oh Jacksons [sic], where are you?

Where is Lucian these times; & how are you & he thriving these days, as you were once very intimate.

Excuse all foolishness & accept my kindest regards, & well wishing, for your prosperity & future happiness.

Truly Yours.

To. Kate. From a Friend.

[Attached to the above letter is an envelope addressed to: Miss A. C. Armentrout, Greenville, Virginia. The return address is :Arbor Hill, Jany 12th.]