July 21, 1863 pg 6

believe in my innocence. To make a
short story long or a long story short (which
is it?) I shall hear in less than a week
that I am engaged to Capt. Harry Mighels.
If it was only true I could blush and
look modest about it, but as it is I
shall have to look bold and deny
the whole affair -- how awkward!

Are you aware that I and writing
another long letter to bore you with?
Well so am I aware of that same fact
and consequently I am going to
bring this lengthy epistle to a fine
and graceful close, or as Wash says --
it's homely but expressive -- "dry up."

I wish I could think of some pretty
little bit of poetry to answer your
fare well lines with but I can't