McFarland-Russell Letter, July 16, 1871

[POSTMARK ORANGE JUL 17 Tex]

Miss Kate. McFarland Bleakwood Newton, County Texas

Orange. Orange Co. Texas July, 16th 1871

Miss Kittie McFarland Dear Friend I returned home last Thursday. I found all well except Sue. She has the Chills & fever but she is getting well now. The old lady [Holms?] died the [crossed out "the"] evening I got home she was sick when I left but I did not think that there was anything very serious the matter with her. I found your highly appreciated letter all right. and also one from Walter. I thought mabe[sic] some of the family might open my letters while I was gone but they did not for a wonder. The Thespean Society were through with three new plays before I got home. but that was nothing to me they may play forty times if the[sic] choose and I don't think any of them will enjoy them selves better there than I did while I was in the Pine Woods. I must say I never spent a more pleasant time in my life you may dispute it if you will but it is positively so I got along so well I think I will have to go again, soon. on Tuesday after I left your Pas I went over and took dinner with Miss Laura [Right?] and after dinner her and I rode over to the Cochrans to see the young Ladies. I saw the so called beauty Miss Lydia I do not think her pretty by any means. The youngest Miss Jane would be a great deal the prettiest if she did not have such a large mouth. but as it is it is hard to decide which is the best looking . well I guess I will drop that subject for the present and see if I cant find something more interesting. I stopped and took dinner with the Bride and Groom as I came down that day. My mare got a way from me there and she would have gone up to Pinetucket if it hadnt been for Ed. West he [put?] out after her and over took her about a mile from there. and that evening I got a ducking. poor little me are you not sorry for me. I know I would be for you if you were to get a ducking. Kate I tell you old Orange is improving I never saw the like of strangers as there is coming in. and all the [lower?] [illegible] of Newton is going to move down I think you had better moove[sic] too dont you.

how are you getting along now since you have got rid of such a pest Rob. I dont want you and Mag to hurt yourselves drawing water. Kate you must not allow Mag to tease you too much. Kate tell me the truth what were you looking so sad about the morning I left it certainly was not because I was leaving. you were looking very sad about some thing. you must cheer up and quit looking that way. it seemed to me like I was leaving home that morning when I left . Some of the folks were very much surprised When I came home. they thought I had gone of to get married but I fooled them that time . I will get some of the Girls to write off those songs I promised you I will send then up next mail. The name of that plant I was telling you about is [Tania?] it come from Mrs. [Grimes?] I told her the first chance she got to send you some of it and she said she would do so with the greatest of pleasure. how is Ma is she improving any tell her that Ma says she must be sure and come just as soon as she gets able to travel. tell her that she thinks she will get well right a way you must keep teasing her til she does come. tell her if there is any thing in Orange that she wants, to let me know and I will get it for her. we would be very glad to have her come and stay a month or two with us if she would just make up her mind to leave home. Kate I believe it is more trouble than anything else that is the matter with her. Pa did not have quite Irons enough in the fire he has sent for a Shingle Machine he thinks he will have it up and running in five or six weeks. as the old saying is the more a body has the more they want and I think that is the way with him. well if he succeeds he will make a great deal of money. for there is more money in Shingle Machines than there is in anything else in this county. well Kate this is a great letter but I cant help it I am bound to fill up with something I cant bare[sic] to see short letters you bet I miss the fruit cant you send me some peaches do please. The Evening after I got home I went down and brought Miss Fannie up to Aunt Laura and we had some music her and I were the musicians she played on the accordion while I [fanned?] her and Me and [illegible] danced

Kate I tell you [Bec?] & Fannie play it old. he [way lays?] the road he met me that eveing when I was going in to Mrs Smiths and asked me where I was going I says I am going there but did not tell him that Miss Fannie and I were going any where and when her and I started here come Bec puffing like he was out of breath and we asked him what was the matter and he said that a Cow got after him and run him up that way we then told him to come along with us and we would keep the Cows off of him. he was all right then I tell you the old woman would give me fits if she knew it. you bet we man -age to keep it a secret. I also saw Miss [Zennie?] & Miss Rebecca. I think [Gwen?] and Beck are going to give us a wedding this week. tell Mag that Walter wont be home before September tell her she must not cry about it. if she cries tell her who said you wouldnt. well Kate I think I have written quite enough nonsense for one time. I could fill up this sheet but enough is enough of anything. Kate you must not get mad at my rough jokes. allow me to speak freely and you may do the same. Kindest regards to all tell Ma to be sure and come Good by[sic] write soon to your true Friend Robert E. Russell