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

2. The notation [sic] is used to indicate a misspelled word 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

[1866 Aug 17]

Monday eve.

My dear friend

I expected to send my letter this morn to the office but did not so I thought I would write ["send" crossed out] & tell you that I am quite well this evening & dear brother for what else can I term you now as you wish to be free & let me beg you to try & be happy. I am very very happy this evening[.] I feel that God has blessed me, this day[.] yes dear Willie I have wept for joy & I can say with a thankful heart his will be done[.] oh my dear Father not mind though doest all things well[,] but dear one are you happy[?] yes you are free[.] are you as happy as when you were bound to your fond K or has the first of this letter caused a sad thought to enter thy bosom[?] say dear one[,] are you happy or would you ask her who is pening [sic] this to come to thy bosom again or what is the cause of thy unhappiness[?] Oh my dear one[,] true happiness is not found in this world[.] now dont get angry with me & I will tell you what my belief is. I beleave[sic] that you love me as fondly as you ever did but you do not injoy [sic] religion as you once did & you are not happy & you have tryed [sic] to study up what was the cause[.] will[,] I have desided [sic] I have changed[.] I know you think so but ast [sic] that true heart as it once was & what does it say if I would scorn you[,] what would you do[?] Now Willie let me beg you once more to come to see me as a friend[,] an enemy[,] as a lover[,] a brother[,] or any thing you wish[.] I will be happy[,] yes[,] do any thing that you ask me & it is in my power but I beg you to come as soon as you get this if you do not get it before Saturday come to show people that I am not to blame & that we are friends[.] we are expecting a nice time at the mountains the 7 of next month[.] come & join our party & lets be friends[.] now dont deny me this time but I know your good tender heart will not deny[.] no flattery if nothing else will bring you[.] I will receive you as my friend but I must close now[.] may the rich blessings of our heavenly Father rest upon you[.] try & be happy[.] we know not what blessings are in store for us but come dear one do come[.]

Yours as ever

Kate

Come back. Oh come! The path shall be

Come back and in my welcome see

I strove in vain to bid my heart

Forget its early dreams;

For ah! the dreams would not depart,

And thou wert still its theme.

___ hear has cast those demons out;

And now is wholy thine.

[Attached to this letter is an envelope addressed to W. F. Brand, Alone Mills, Rock Bridge County, Va. The return address is Gold Hill, Va. Aug. 17, 1866.]