McFarland-Russell Letter, April 6, 1871

Bleakwood, Texas (Three Cent Stamp) April 7 (Presumed 1871)

Robert E. Russell, Orange, Orange County, Texas

Bleakwood, Orange Co., Texas April 6th 1871

Mr. Robert E. Russell

Dear Friend

I hope you do not think negligence has caused me to delay in writing, the mail has not been regular:as if I had have written it would have been here yet; I was about to forget to start your letter was received with great pleasure and found to a very interesting letter. I have had ample time to make mine as good but will fail to do so for I know before it is written what kind of letter it will prove to be scarce worthy of a perusal, there is nothing new to tell or talk about; weddings have grown common I heard of five last week those were old acquaintences of mine if the girls marry up so fast we will soon have no girls.

Mf. Russell you heard a shy way of asking about Miss Fannie Scott. I take it takes some Mr. Russell, if all reports are true Miss Fannie will have [illegible] than you imagine wishes Mrs. H. S.has told you. I will not tell any more nor write his name plainly. Her brother is home this morning: the sun is not very high and I will have to write fast if I get this letter written hefore dark, I write

yours first, so if I do not a very lengthy one remember yours was written first. I cannot put off writing to Isabella any longer she might write and ask why so silent; we receive a letter last mail from her and Gus they are in good health but had move from Colorado to Hill Co I will have forgotten the name of the town they live in. I miss her so much more as when she first left: Sam was here today. he might come every day as to that: I might tell you what he said but would rather not, enough any how he will think I did, I might not to have written this: Ma says she would like very much to go down there but cannot be persuaded to go her health is very bad a great deal worse than when you was up she says she would be so very glad to see Mrs. Russell. I know it would do her good to see her, and Mrs. Russell I want you to bring her up to see Ma, if you do not I will not write any more long letters, nor anything that would please you. If you love letters as I do from friends you would promise, the cough Ma has is what keeps her so low, she tried to get Dr. Rogers Compound Syrup of Tar but fail to get it in Orange and Saline Pass, she tried Wine of Tar but it done her very little good if any; We received a letter from sister Lizzie today we look for her Saturday she is teaching school up on Thickety she boards in Col. Kyles' family; Ann's school is out

and now at home I cannot say how long she will stay she is engaged to teach School in Louisiana I think she will repent ere her school comes to close no amusement of any kind it may suit her but it would never do for me of all thing let me live where life is not oppressive

You took good care to ask when it was too late to get an answer now if you have had gone and danced and then have told me you would have pleased me much better; Mr Russell I do believe you think I cannot keep a promise I wont ask you to keep a place in your Album that would be a greater frame that I ought to have but to prove I can I will go to the Artist especially to have one taken; there is that pretty girl gone showed me her Photograph I do not remember her name if you have your book full or not I know her pictures will not number them all You told me not to let anyone see your letter but I disobeyed your injunction and let Ma read your letter and it was not written as badly either; I hope Mr-- Russell you will not show this for I have not taken any pains to write it well, nor I can not promise to ever do any better,

We will have a great crop of Peaches and Plums, will you not come up when they ripen, in the Spring the Country people has the rare advantage of all the wild

fruit and the orchards: fruit most all the year round if the creek would only stay down a while we could have some fish frys if nothing else; there is some wispers going around of some weddings that is to be: do you not think I am writing too much. You have complained of my writing such short letters who will comeplained now now Mr Russell I think you owe me a letter as long if not longer I love to get long lettters, you write such nice ones We have the greatest variety of flowers, oh now if you did not live as far I could send you the prettiest bouquet that you might be pleased to get; Please do not think I have lost all my reason, you will think I expect that this would have suited but on foolscap. I have it to your own inclination whether you answer this or not Ma sends her love to you Ma and family give love to your Ma and best wishes and a goodbye for yourself

Your Friend truely

Kate C. McFarland