22. Harry's Letters, April 22 - May, 1866

Carson April 22 / 66

Dear Nellie:

I wish you were here to enjoy this beautiful weather. The sun shines bright and clear and the brown sides of the barren mountains are really looking green and fresh. Within a week I have removed my sanctum to the second story of the building in which our office is situated, and from my window I look out over shingles and stove pipes upon plain and mountain side and enjoy the balmy breezes which curl the smoke from my pipe until I am almost tempted to rhapsodize the vernal beauties of full blown springtime. A little green grass and a whiff at the odors of flowers are rarities which we must live in the "sage brush" to learn to

fully prize.

Another good letter from George Gorham reached me yesterday from San Francisco. He winds up by saying: "We shall be ready for you and your "little woman" at any time. We won't promise much style, but lots of good feeling, and a welcome that shall be from our hearts."

You see we have true friends in George and his good wife -- and we can dispense with the "style" in the hearty welcome that awaits us both.

I hope Rhoades will have called upon you before this reaches Norway. I want him to give you plenty of time and opportunity for getting prepared for the journey. And, by the way, you had better lay in a stock of substantive

clothing, so far as the limited amount of money which he will deliver to you from me will permit, for you will be able to purchase better goods and at much lower prices in Portland then you can get inferior ones from here. You see I am dismal enough to talk economy as much lacking in its exercise as I am myself. But don't suppose that I have any fears of your extravagance. I merely desire that you may be provided against inconvenience after you reach this land of few traders and high prices.

I have been looking at a nice little cottage which would suit us exactly. If I can purchase it in good time I mean to do so, or, if I can do no better, I will rent it.

I am determined to go to keeping house as soon as possible after our marriage, and shall do so at once, if the little girls come out with you.

I hope Rhoades may be treated to a good time while he is in Maine. He is a diffident, bashfull sort of a man, and needs to be chaperoned a little. I have told him of the pleasures of a summer visit to Norway, and I hope he may not be disappointed. Henry Rust and General Virgin can, if they will, help him to enjoy himself hugely. I am confident you will find him a kind, attentive travelling companion.

Give lots of love to Byron and the rest of the brothers and sisters for me, think of me every minute, remember me in your prayers, prepare to be my darling wife within the next four months and cherish the undying love of yours affectionately Harry.

[left margin: I clipped the following puff from the Plainsville Mirror, and send it to you to gratify my "irrepressible" vanity

Newspaper clipping: hand pointing: If the new "Moses" isn't repudiated by the people of Nevada next fall, it won't be the fault of the able and brilliant editor of the Carson Appeal, whose fiery invectives against the President's treason are the delight of its readers hereabouts, ourself included.]

[Printed envelope: Carson Daily Appeal. ROBINSON & MIGHELS.]

[postmark: CARSON CITY NEV APR 23]

[stamp removed]

By Steamer.

Miss Nellie Verrill Norway Village Maine

[in pencil: Apr 22 1866]