Hickman Mills
October 1st 1882
_____ Nan Bentley
Dear old darling:--
I know that you think we awful men and have given particular fits for not answering your dear old sweet letter, but let me tell you the reason I have not written I have not been able to write until this week and then I was so everlastingly busy I did not have time. I have had this rheumatism for three weeks most of the time had to be in bed and I haven't much use of one limb yet but I manage to hobble around. I have been so very busy sewing this week trying to get one dress made for the Association and just think didn't yet, to go but one day and that was yesterday, intended to have gone today but it rained so everlasting hard last night that the roads were too muddy, so we have the pleasure of staying at home by the way your John F. was there and was asking about you and sent his love to you and said he wanted your picture. Nan, I was so disappointed because you did not come when Lute did I went to the Depot that morning to see if you were there I thought perhaps you had written and I had not received your letter. I was so glad to see Lute she is as sweet as ever. I am living with my sisters now, and will all this Winter as my brother has sold out and he and Mat are going to move to Lamar this week. Pa is going with them insisted on me going but it was too far, Mat will have an addition to her family in two or three months but you know is always the first thing after marriage, so I have concluded to remain single. I received a letter from May Banning a long time ago but never answered it. I do not blame you for being made at her. Did she go back to school? And are you going back? I think if I was Dollie Musser I'd try and redeem any character this year. They only have forty-two boarders at Christian College this year; Bertie Write and Anna Palmer went back; Ernest Smith and Farrin (?) Wright are going to the University. Leite made quite a smash on Farrin(?) when she was here, he is the biggest fop you ever saw. He called on her last Tuesday eve and he is perfectly disgusting, he inquired very particularly about Lute; his devoted ____ was to see me Friday eve she is Old Dickabies did not call on me but he wrote Pa a letter and said he expected be back to school, he said his time was so very precious he did not have time to call. Old Billy is there at Stephens and I wonder if it is as hard for him to sit still as ever? And if he will have to visit St. Louis this year. Have you heard from Mary Latels___ have never received but one letter from her. I wonder how she and the Dr. are making it.
Nan, I am waiting but not very patiently for your picture. I think Lute's are she ____ she is very much pleased with her school and I am so glad.
Nan, come and see me this Winter for I think I'll surely die everything is so dull there is nothing going on at all. Hickman Mills is in Jackson Co. Well I will have to close as I have the flues and can think of anything to write. I want you to write a long letter. With heaps and heaps of love and kisses I am yours devotedly by Mattie T.