LETTER 9
Morganton, N.C.
May 13, 1876
Saturday night has at last come to my weary mind and body and ere the "
friend of my pillow o'er my eyelids creep." I want to enjoy a quiet talk
with the very dear Capt.
The house has been a perfect hospital for the past fortnight, and my time has
been so fully employed that not a moment could I find to enjoy the pleasure I
so much desired. I'm glad to report one and all much better and now that the
anxiety of mind and care of nursing is all over (for the first time) I feel
broken down.
Nothing has been discussed in our town for the past ten days, but the Strange
trial. One and all of our best people rejoice with him in his acquital. I
suppose you have seen a full account of it in the papers. Also to grand and
eloquent speech of D.K. McRae. The courthouse was full to overflowing (all
the ladies went). Before Judge Walls had fully uttered the verdict, not
guilty, they (the women of course) threw up their hands and with tears
rolling down their faces shouting God Bless you! All rushing to Mr.
Strange to tender congratulations. This enraged the drunken mob and
rude mountaineers so they yelled out, "Tis not justice, but
broadcloth against coperas. The feeling was so strong that it was
not regarded prudent for Mr. S[trange] to stay in A[sheville?], so
he came on here that night. Judge Walls (vowed and did positively)
summoned the ladies to appear for disrespect of court.
John is at the big centennial enjoying sightseeing to the fullest extent.
When are you going? I'd better ask when we are to enjoy seeing you in
the mountains? The tenth was observed in a becoming manner (not many
men came out). We had quite a crowd and enough flowers. I read the
Memorial Constitution and some beautiful thoughts from the gifted
pen of one of N.C. daughters. Cora Avery Ervin read a perfect little
gem of a poem, "In The Land Where We Were Dreaming"
Don't think this savors of "Womans Rights" for I assure you
that was not the spirit that moved us. We could get no one to deliver an
address and no one to read another's speech, so rather than go silently to
this sad and loving task we did what we thought was our duty.
The bells (of the churches) are tolled and as I passed the office of two
Yanks the same old feeling rushed oe'r me with full power reopening the
wound afresh as I thought of the dear loved brother whose grave came by
their hands.
Have you seen Gen'l Vances speech? What are we drifting to?
I've much to tell you when I see you "face to face." When will
it be?
I wish I could feel like you that duty was pleasure, the path of
duty is safety, but not always pleasure, Why Capt. I do
things every day of my life because I know it's my duty and I fear
not to do my duty. I've often neglected
a known duty and always suffered for it.
Don't get discontented. You will make every one around you unhappy as well
as yourself. The act of contentment is this; not to seek to add to
our condition, but to subtract from our desires. We all want too much.
We think we need too much. Few of us are content to walk in the
path "Our Father" has chosen for us.
I don't intend to lecture you dear Capt., so please don't take it in that
spirit, but I've felt the bite of this serpent discontent and know how much
more venom is in the fang so shake it off with all your might, I beg of you.
Do you think it just to send me four pages of commercial note for eight of
letter pages?
I did not intend to talk so long and just see I've filled the eighth page.
Pleasant dreams and slumbers light. Yours, L.T.P.
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