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-Mary D. Edwards Summer 2000

1859-1866, 1867 & 1871-1874 37 items Correspondence of Amanda C. Armantrout Brand  

Rose Dale Oct 7th 1866

My Dear Willie

I have not recieved [sic] a line from you yet but concluded I would not wait any longer[.] this is a beautiful Sabbeth morn & I wish you were here to go to church with me[.] Annie[,] Mollie[,] Jake[,] & George have gone & I thought I would stay at home & write to[?] the dear one that is far a way[sic]. I expect to go to prayr [sic] meeting this evening[.] Oh how I wish you were here to go with me for I feel some what lonely [,] have not had time to have the blues much but am anxiously looking for _ word for Saturday to arive [sic] & to bring my dear one with it [.] the time will not appear long for I will be so busy that I will harley [hardly] have time to think but do not disappoint me for you know[,] Willie[,] I will be very uneasy if you dont come[.] think it very strange that I have not got a letter yet[.] have sent twice to the office but hope I will soon hear from you[.] I expect you have forgotten Kate as she is so selfish[.] I reckon I had better look for a sweetheart this eve[,] perhaps I could find one that would thake [take] your place[.]

Well Willie dear this is the first time I have had a pen in my hand since you left me[.] I am getting carlous [careless][.] would have written to cous [sic] Mollie C but have forgotten her address so I cannot write untill [sic] I see you[.] will write to cous Joe this week & Dottie[?][.] I have been to [sic] busy to write to them[.]

we are all very well[.] I have had aslight [sic] cold but feel very well now[.] hope this will find you well & happy & in fine spierits [sic] & above all[,] striving to do the will of our dear Master[.] remember thy dear Kate at the throne of grace & pray that I may over come the selfish feeling [sic] that rise in my bosom for you & that we may both draw nearer to each other by the strong ties of holy love[.] it makes me very sad some time when I think I have caused thy dear bosom to heave a sigh for my selfishness but it is my nature & hope you will love me dearer for it afterwhile [sic][.] but you will say how can I love you dearer[?] I do not know that you can but that it will make you happy to think that you have it in your faver [sic] to would & to heal K[.]

Willie you think me very childish I acknowledge[.] I am but cannot helpit [sic][.] my love is so strong that it makes me thus[.] do not let it greave [sic] you[.] I hope by the grace of God to over come it & make you very happy[.] it is my desire to make you happy & I beleive [sic] I can but enough of this. I have no news to write[.] the boys are not done cutting up there [sic] corn yet[.] The rain prevented them yesterday[.] we had a hard Storm Friday evening[.] it did no damage here[.] in the neighbourhood [sic] of cousin John Crist it broke out most all of the window pains & cut the fodow [fodder?] so it will harley [hardly] be worth saving[.] it has made quite a change in the weather[.] I expect it will get cold before we want to see cold weather[.] I wish we could get moved before it gets cold[.] I am anxious to be with you; I suppose you were teased enough about leaving me in Augusta but I think it was for the best but I cant stay much longer[.] I hope it will save you the trip over the mountain[.] I shant [sic] promis [sic] you that though. I expect I will have you to come to old Augusta evry [sic] two or three weeks after something for me[?] what do you think of all that[?] but I must close[.] I would like very much to accompany this[.] do not let any thing in this cause one sad thought but be cheerful & happy[.] pleas [sic] excuse hast [haste] & all imperfections[.] I will try & look my prettiest Saturday eve[.] write very soon

your ever true & loving Wife

Kate A B

[Written in the margin:] Sabbeth eve: I have just returned from prayrmeeting [sic][.] had a very good turnout[.] had a nice little gent to take your place from the schoolhouse to the stile[?][.] sais he was afraid of you & another told me if you did not return he was on hand[.] one fellow said he never seen any one improve as I had in the last two weeks[,] if I kept on I would be the prettiest girl about here so you see I think I will come in.

How is your friend Mr. Linq [?] comeing on[?] tell him he must be at Mr. C when I get there so I can see one familliar [sic] face[.] tell Miss L that I think I am acquainted with her[.] I have heard you talk so much about her[.] remeber [remember] me kindly to her dear Willie now do come Saturday[.] I am going to try & go to church that day & meet you there[.] I miss you so much[.] sometimes I think[,] is it posable [sic] that we are married[?] yes it is so & I think there will be proof in _______ time than I would like it to be but I am resined [sic][.] let come what may[.] I hope this time nest Sabbeth to be with you but must close[.]

Your true Kate

[Attached to the above is an envelope addressed to: Mrs. William F. Brand, Alone Mills, Rockbridge, Co., Virginia.]