Westport, Mo.
3/4_1891
My darling Nancy:--
You dear old sinner, I am going to answer your letter immediately, I believe I can spite you more in that way than any other. I know you have ceased to love me or you would write oftener. I am still plodding along and have three months more and really Nan, this is as near purgatory as I ever want to be, there is so much gossiping and news carrying that actually sometimes I feel like I have no sense left. I tell you I am done with Mrs. T. She is a regular newsmonger & keeps every one in boiling water, or more properly speaking, keeps us boiling. I am afraid of all of them, but Mrs. Conroy. I love her dearly, we pour out our troubles and console each other.
Mrs. T was away last week and we had peace and quiet. I hate to see her come back. Oh dear! I got enough of Mr. Irvine, he got too soft to keep well & I refused to go with him or have anything to do with him! I think he is the biggest fool in existence & I never was so thoroughly disgusted with anyone in my life. I just hate the looks of him. I treated him scandalous, but the idiot can't take the hint, so some of his relatives are going to tell him, his attentions are not wanted & I presume I'll not be bothered with him again.
I received a letter from Fannie Smith last Friday night telling me to come out last Saturday evening as she was going to have a party that night and she was going to start away this week to Ill. Well I went down home Saturday morning & started out to Hickman's Mills at half past three, that is I took the [illegible] for K.C. so as to take the train, after getting in the depot I met a young lady friend from . H. M. and she said, if I didn't get home with her, she couldn't go to the party. I went & had a ride of about eight miles in the cold and my I got so cold, of course, Fan had sent to the depot & when I wasn't there, they thought of course I wasn't coming, it was such fun to surprise them. I had such a nice time, but it was all too short. I had to come back Sunday morning, she is going to be gone until the first of May. I was so disappointed that she had to go this week, five or six of them were coming over next Sunday to spend the day and I have been looking forward to that time for two months. I was going to invite my new fellow out from the City, but now I am going down home Saturday and have my dress fitted. I think it will be sorter pretty.
Well old gal, I commenced this letter last night & Mrs. T and Mrs. C came in & I couldn't finish so I can't write very much this morning as it is almost school time.
Mr. H said for you to send him a double portion of love next time & not send any to Mrs. H both send their love.
Did you get any valentines? I was going to send you one, but couldn't get to the City. The children gave me three. Mrs. T. Mrs. C., & Miss Johns & I all wrote one apiece, put them in the same envelope & sent them to Mr. Jack Talbott. I wish you could have read them, I tell you, they were loving.
Don't lay any plans for my visit, if you do I am sure to be disappointed. I never did make calculations on having a good time but that I got left, & I am so anxious to visit you next Summer & have so set my heart on it, if I get disappointed I think I'll give up in despair, but for pity's sake don't look up any beaux for me for I actually would not know how to act, it has been such a spell since I saw one. I expect I would act so outrageous that I would frighten the dear creatures to death. I am not going to see them, but you & your folks and expect to enjoy your society more than of any one else.
Well Nan, here it is very nearly supper time again & my letter still unfinished actually I don't know what I do write. I have to stop so often.
It is too bad about you and the kids. I would get on a strike. I am away ahead of you. I have a great nephew, Oh Scots! There gives the supper bell-- We'll, I have had my supper and if any dares interrupt me again I'll not be responsible for the consequences.
"As I was saying", I am great Aunt, my I tell you I am getting antiquated.
Nan, you remember Ina Dowden, I met a lady in K. C. who is acquainted with her, she is married and lives in the city.
Nan, did you ever read "Without a Home?" it is simply grand. I want you to be sure and read it the first chance you have and it will repay you it is so good. I am reading Bride of Lanhermoon & Adam Bede now, but am not struck on either of them. I am going to get some of Dickens' Works Saturday. I don't have very much time to indulge my appetite for reading.
My, I suppose you'll think you have a journal but there is considerable paper and nothing on it. I am going to stop. I have three or four other letters to answer, but don't know when I'll get through. Give my love to Miss Lida & tell her I am so glad she has a little girl.
Now old lady, I suppose I needn't expect to hear from your majesty for about two months, but for politeness sake, I'll say write soon. All send love, me most of all. If I hadn't received your letter this week I was going to write & see if you were dead Have you had La Grippe yet? That is all the style, but I am happy to say I am not in the fashion.
Yours,
Martha.