Hickman's Mills, Mo.
March 28th 1886
My own darling Nan,--
I will answer your dear letter today, but if it is like the day and my feelings it will be a gloomy letter, cloudy weather gets away with me, especially Sundays, and I did want to go to Sabbath School so much this morning, but had to stay home on account of rain. Heigh Ho! Life is full of disappointments anyway, I guess. I'll get used to them by and by it is awful hard work through. Now dear, you must pardon me again for not writing sooner, I have the spring fever most awful bad and am too trifling to live. I presume you are like me about making good resolutions. I make them too, but haven't the courage to carry them out. I do wish I could be good but I just can't. Glad spring is coming, I rather guess I am, if it will only stop raining. I attended a party not long since, but owing to it raining there were only very few present. I didn't enjoy myself at all and don't want to go to another for six months. I received a letter from Lute yesterday she is at Lexington again taking painting she said she was going West to spend the summer on account of her health, she has the Catarrh and takes cold very easily and a cough follows. I had seen Etta Bonfil's marriage in the paper and heard Lou Rubey's some months past. I saw May Bannings and Mr. Brauns last week. I believe the paper said he was a telegraph operator, she didn't change the letter. I mean the initial Yes, I received one valentine, right cute, but think the fellow a f__l for sending it. I wouldn't give the snap of my finger for him nor his valentine either. I guess you are a great deal fleshier than you were while at school, are you not? I fall off every day, I think the wind will blow me away this summer. I expect you'll see me sailing over your house if you watch. I wish I was tall. I think was good for that run away couple. I saw and account of it in the paper. I presume she'll not try it again soon. I am like you I don't believe in that kind of matches either. I hope your Sisterinlaw [sic] will have a little girl for I think they are so much the sweetest. I would like very much to see Allie Mason, it seems so funny to think of her having a Baby. I want you to hurry up and get that candy. I must close for it is dinner time; and I haven't any news to write. I do wish you could see little Virgil she is so cute. Give my very best love to Miss Lida. All send love. Write real soon. Much love to you. Yours forever Mary Matilda