McFarland-Russell Letter, May 14, 1871

ORANGE TEX. MAY 15

Miss. Kate. McFarland Bleakwood Newton. County Texas

Orange. Orange. County, Texas, May 14th, 1871. Miss Kate McFarland

Respective Friend your most kind and welcome letter of the eleventh was received yesterday. I assure you that it was quite a welcome surprise you know you said that you would not write any more for about three weeks so I was not expecting a letter so soon. so I was not so very particular about going to the office. and to as I was walking around town last night I happened to go in there and Miss Sid Scott says Bob I believe there is a letter here for you. I told her that she must be mistaken and she said no she was not. she went in the office got the letter for me. you May surprise me in that may just as often as you please nothing pleases me better. and you may defend it does not worry my patience to read your letters it doesnot make any difference how long they are the longer the better. you asked me if I learned my letters nonsense. no not all together but I do think some of them are you know some times I am not in a writing mood and I have to study up some thing to fill up my letters worth but y you must look over that and all other errors and I will do the same. that is if there is any. you spoke of an old friend and Schoolmate in your letter but you did not give her name why does she have to leave her Western home

,, how did the fishing party come out did they catch any fish ,, I went fishing my self yesterday and I never had better luck in my life. there was five of us and caught about one hundred an seventy five in about two hours and they were the finest I ever saw. you said that your letter would be so unexpected that I would not have time to appreciate its contents but I can assure you they were. and you need not comply with my [illegible] unless you want to. no Kate you misunderstood me if you thought I said that Orange was the garden spot of Texas one of the healthiest places in, Tex. and the best poor mans country there is in the State any body that will just half way try can make a good living as for my past I have seen many prettier places than Orange but I will risk my chances in Orange every time and we have we have some as good people here as ever lived in any country. so you think as there is so much amusement in O. that I only visit when I am lonely or tiered no that is not so for I assure you that amusement of any kind has no charms for me when I can have the pleasure of writing to you I decline all when it comes to that. and you will never find me too worried or tiered to answer as many letters as you will write. and as for the Beautiful faces I sent at the Picnic and dance the have no charms for me. I am very glad to hear that you have been enjoying yourself so well I should like very much to have been with you I know I would have enjoyed myself with you, I am in hopes you will have a fine time up on thickets[?]. Henry + Sue will move tomorrow I have not told her

what you told me to tell her I will tell her this evening you are of my opinion exactly. I think that all married folks should have a home of their own. Kate. Sue, is not the happy woman she looked to be when you saw her. she is not of a very happy disposition. Henry has one of the prettiest places in Town. I also have a very pretty place which I am going to build on this Fall. There is a house on it but it is not much account so I will just have that torn down and have a good put up and be done with it. I cannot rent it for half its value or account of the house not bing very good Dr. Heewson has that Medicine I will get it and send it up by [gerry?] Starks this time. tell your Ma not to hesitate a moment when she wants anything from Orange if she will let me know. it will be a great pleasure to me to get anything she neads. We are going out a Sailing this evening on the Schooner soon + After I hope we will have a good breeze so we can enjoy the Sail. we are going to have a dance this week Shall I dance some for you. I will tell you before hand this time so you cant grumble about it how will that do. you see if I do write every week that dont keep one from writing long letters I am afraid I worry your patience with them if I do, dont hesitate to tell me so and I can write shorter ones well Kate I believe I have told you all the news so I will have to wind up you must look over all mistakes. kindest regards to all the Family write soon Good by

I remain your True Friend R.E.R.

PS. I got that medicine and gave it to Jenny