McFarland-Russell Letter, March 12, 1871

[POSTMARK] Orange MAR 13 Tex

Miss. Kate. McFarland Bleakwood Newton County Texas

[Illegible Imprint on Envelope back]

[Imprint - "R"]

Orange. Orange. Co. Texas. March 12 1871

Miss Kate McFarland Esteemed Friend

I received your most kind and welcome letter yesterday and I assure you it was a great pleasure to me to read a letter from you. I looked for an answer some time ago. I see from the Post. mark that it is not your fault. you said that you were very much pleased with the Books I sent you as I am such a good hand to select reading matter for the Ladies I think that I will have to try it again and see if I cant please you better. Sue takes the Western World and there is some very interesting stories in it there is one in particular the title is [Benial?] Clyde his two lives and two wives. when she gets throug[sic] reading them I will

send them to you. I will try and find some other good books to send up by the next mail. tell your Ma & Pa to come down on the Steamer this trip. the [Eva?] left here this morning on her way up the river. I heard that your Ma was sick. tell her that Ma says for her to come down and spend a while with us. The change may improve her health I think she might try it any way. you must try and persuade her to come and Ma will go home with her. you said that you and Miss Maggie thought yourselves highly honored to think that I thought of you while at the Dance the other night we are going to have a little Dance tomorrow night and you may rest assured that I will think of you every time I swing the Prettiest Girls in the house , and I will Dance a few sets for you if you say so. I guess Sam has quit going a [driving?] as he has caught the Deer that he was in pursuit of. I think him a good

driver because he catches the Deer alive. Miss Kate you must excuse this Badly written letter and I will try and do better next time I am not in a writing mood this evening [?] cause or other. have you heard from Gus lately and how is he getting along. When I was up there you were looking for him I never heard whether he came or not I would like very much to see him myself. is Miss Ann. teaching School at Belgrade yet. I heard she was down there some time ago, and I have never heard whether She[sic] going stay down all the year or only to teach one Session. Orange is beginning to look up again we have three Saw Mills and two Shingle Machines running regular and Mr Watts of Jasper is going to moove[sic] down and go into the mill business. if we can just get a rail road now we will be all right. Will[sic] Miss Kate I believe that I have told you all the news that I can think of at Present. you must try and get your Ma.