21. Nellie's Letters, April 1 - 8, 1866

The Mansion Sunday P.M. April 1st 1866

Dear old boy --

I had a mind to send this along with just the date written for an "April Fool", but concluded you were too far, and yet too near to make it a paying joke. -- and then, what woman likes to keep her tongue, or pen, still when there is a patient listener. Not I -- at any rate.

It seems an age since I had one of your letters, and it is only a week. Some weeks do stretch out wonderfully!

Shall I tell you how this one has been spent?

Monday morning I received a very nice card -- gold tinted &c. of invitation to the golden wedding reception of Mr and Mrs Peter Kimball on that evening. After much deliberation I concluded to accept, and about eight o'clock marched over to the Cottage and rode up with Mrs Millett and "Mother Mighels". We found the rooms well filled with friends and neighbors. The happy couple were seated in the parlor "in state". After wishing them good evening and presenting my congratulations, I found my way to the table on which were spread the presents. They were very numerous and elegant, and were all presented by the sons and daughters and their families. There are nine children and all married but one -- the youngest son, who honored me with his escort to the refreshment table. Every thing that was nice in the

eatable line was served and the wedding cake tasted as nice as if it had been made for a younger bride. After supper there was singing and talking, and I started for home about eleven under the wing of a tall young man -- one of the grandsons -- Hanno Gage by name.

Every body voted it the best time Norway has witnessed, for long years.

Tuesday evening Hanno and Ed Kimball called at the Office to see Lue and I. We had a pleasant call, but were prevented thereby from attending a Lecture as we had intended.

Wednesday eve. we -- Lue and I -- went to the Sewing Circle at Mrs Uptons. The time passed much as usual at such gatherings.

Friday evening was the second of a course of four Lectures delivered here by a Prof. Morse of Portland on

Natural History. He was a student with Add and consequently an acquaintance of mine. Lue and I were favored with complimentary tickets. His audience was small but he gave us an interesting and instructive half-hour talk. He is somewhat eccentric and very quick with the pencil to illustrate his meaning. He used to know your father and called to see your mother on that score.

Thursday and Saturday evenings were passed quietly at home, so you know all I've done -- Oh! I came near forgetting about the eclipse -- Did you see it? Your mother and I sat up and watched it. The night was beautifully clear and we found ourselves much interested in contemplating Luna in the shadow. She must have come out of it all right for she is shining brightly at this moment.

5

It is now half past nine with me, -- you are probably just at dinner. I wonder if the letter to me has been written, or if you propose to give me the evening! 'Twill be a long month before I can know.

I've been answering Eliza's kind letter, which I sent to you, and I fear it was a poor affair -- I don't know how to write good letters -- in fact I believe I don't know anything!

I wish you were here this moment to tell me you can love in spite of it -- for there are moods in which I doubt almost every thing -- then it seems like an absurd dream -- the thought that you want me for your wife and that I have promised to be. -- Of course it's true -- but if you would only put your arms around me and tell me so! I should be so much better satisfied.

Silly child am I not?