Hickman's Mills, Mo.
2/20-1890
My dear Nancy:--
I thought you had entirely forsaken your old sweetheart & had given her the go by, but you see I cannot stand for my first love to forsake me & so I try to win her back. I was so glad to hear from you once more but I give you fair warning old girl if you treat my letter with such counterfit [sic] I will never write you again, because I think you do not want to hear from me.
Well I am free once more and scarcely know what to do with myself. I am just having a good time this week, and still with the family where I have been boarding, the young lady & myself have been on the go this week, we went to a party last night and it was as cold as "blixie". I will be here all this week & expect to go home for a few days next week. I have been with the Smith family, I guess you remember "Ernest", he was at Columbia while we were, these are his parents & Sister. I like them so much. I have been here so long it seems so much like home that I hate to leave. I have boarded with them ten months all together. Ernest isn't at home, he stays in K. C. & is so nice, but none of the girls can captivate him. I am awfully struck, but alas it does no good, my sighs are wasted on the "desert air," his Bro. has come home from K. C. now to stay, he is cute & awfully funny but he is only 22. I tell you, we have picnics, for I don't care for cutting up with him. You can't stuff me about you not marrying. I know you will & I think you would be happier too, if you would get some good man.
No dearie, I can't pay you a visit now. I want to get a spring school, if possible & if I do, am expecting to go to Ky. in July to stay two months. I would like so much to visit you & Lute & promised her I would, but expect to be quite busy serving after next week. I don't know though when I will get settled down, we have so many places to visit & have promised quite a summer. I tell you, I have a good time. I would like so much to attend your meeting think I need to for I am getting quite heathenish never get to attend my church, go to the Christian church all the time.
I never heard Bro. James but have heard so much about him & his wife, am glad he had such good success, guess he does feel as though he had a claim on your family. Isn't this fearful weather? Will be so glad when it turns warm once more, but this has been such a short winter & mild. Have you had "La Grippe" I haven't, but most every one has. I never heard of as much sickness in my life & so many deaths. Do you ever hear from Mary Pace now? How many kids has she? I had a long letter from Lute a week or two ago, but she didn't have any news I believe.
Talking of nieces & nephews, wait until you have 15 like me & then they won't be a rarity. I have Niece married & expect to be a "great aunt" in less than a year, that is pretty bad isn't it to let a girl of 17 get off first? Did Lute send you one of her new pictures? They are so splendid. I wish I could see you. I would talk you to death, but I feel too trifling to write tonight. You know how a person feels after being at a party, but I just felt as though I must begin to answer some of my letters. I haven't written any to amount to anything for more than a month & owe so many letters & you may know I love you by me commencing with yours. I am going to do good for evil. Nan, I want you to please paint me some little trick as a keep sake, won't you please? I don't care what it is. I will keep it as one of my choicest treasures.
I must close for this time, as Fannie & all the rest of the family are sound asleep. I love her so dearly, she seems almost like a younger sister, she is so sweet and good. Excuse me for not writing sooner, remember I don't offer the same excuse you did. I was busy, I will be more prompt in future, that is if you are. I hope you will not treat me so mean anymore. Give my love to Miss Lida & much to you. Now please write soon for I do enjoy your letters immensely.
Yours lovingly,
Mattie