We still see mixed signals between the two lovebirds in this letter. On the one hand Nursie may be seeing another guy (or accused of seeing one) and on the other, John has now bought an engagement ring. He is crazy in love with her but insecure about her returning his affection and afraid of being made a fool.
[envelope]
[2-cent stamp]
Miss Nursie Whaley,
Medart,
Fla.
[postmark]
ASHMORE,
NOV 9 1903
FLA.
[postmarks on back of envelope]
MEDART
NOV 10 1903
FLA.
CRAWFORDVILLE
NOV 9 1903
FLA.
[body of letter, page 1]
My Dear Nursie:
Your
nice letter rec'd a
days ago, and as
usual I will answer
on Sunday, for to morrow
I wont have time. The
past week has been a very
busy one for one, espec-
ially so many letters to
write. I had as many as
eleven to write one day
and some to write every
day. I have a number to
write to-morrow too - none
of them to girls though.
Today has certainly
been a lonely day for
Major and I. We have
been here all alone all
day. We expected some
[page 2]
of our people home to-day, but they
didnt come. We are beginning to want
them to come, as we are tired of
"baching". Mr.+ Mrs. Lawhon tried to get us
to spend the day with them to-day, but
we wouldnt go. I told Major that you and
Susie didnt want to see us, so we
decided not to go, as there was no
one else out there we wanted to see.
I knew you all would be with some
one else and we wouldnt get to see
you if we went, so thought we had
best stay home. I saw your fellow here
this morning, and think he is here
yet. I know you would like to see him
to-day, and I dont blame you for he is
a nice boy - the best one if the Lee's,
but dont tell Julia I said so. I saw
Albert to-day too, and he was looking spry.
I have been sick part of the week, al-
though not in bed since Sunday and I
have had bad luck all around, first
I had some trouble with some business
affaire and on Friday afternoon while
in the woods inspecting ties I lost nine
dollars. I had it in my pocket with my
book that I checked ties on and lost it
some where. Too bad wasnt it? But
this dont worry me half bad as some-
thing else does. Nursie I have ordered
the ring. I think it is a pretty one, but
[page 3]
will not tell you what
kind it is, It is not an
opal though. Nursie I was
surprised that you would
write me that "I didnt
care if you went with
Arthus". Do you think
that I would have any
thing to say about who
you go with and be laugh
ed at for being a fool.
You forget I have no right
to say any thing about you
going with any body you
pleased. I am not ex-
actly an idiot and I
know there are plenty of
boys better than I am.
If I had my way I would
like to be with you all
the time, but Nursie you
dont care for me or to be
with me. You dont love
[page 4]
me as I do you. You
like me very well until
some one else comes a-
long and then "Good Bye
John". I have seen too
many girls do that. I
can be with you and tell
your thoughts or part of
them as though they
were printed in a book.
Nursie I wish that you
had not tried to fool me
at first. If you had told
me at first that you
did not love me it would
not have been so hard
for me as it is now. Mine
is a passionate nature
and I love you with my
whole heart and soul.
I have been with all
kinds of girls all my
life and not one of them
[page 5]
ever caused me a second thought.
When I first saw you I had no idea
that I should ever love you, but since
then I have learned to care for you
more and more every time I saw you
until now I love you better than life
itself. I did not try to love you, for
I had rather be as I need to when I
could have a nice time with any
good girl and not think of her after-
wards. When I say that I had rather
be as I used to, it is because I know
you dont love me. - If you only loved
me, with a pure and true affection I
would ask nothing better on this earth.
Your love, as you are capable of log-
ing if given to me would be more than
all else. Oh Nursie, you cant understand
how I feel for you dont love as I do,
with your whole soul. You are in my
thoughts every day and night, and I am
dreading the time when you say, "I love
another". I had honestly rather be shot
than to hear that from you. Yet I am
sure it will come. Now Nursie please
think before you say, whether deep down
in your heart you love me. Remember I
give you all that is best in me, and
[page 6]
please dont trifle with me.
If you dont love me, be
honest and say so. Dont
wreck a life for a big time.
Oh my darling I couldnt
give you up now.
I hope you will have
the dance you speak
of. We would come this
time if nothing happens,
and I want to see you
so bad. This coming
week will be here any
length of time or not.
I hope we will be here
to-gether, one more Sum-
mer. 'Tis getting dark
and will have to stop.
Write soon, Forever Your
Jno.H.A.
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