St Francisville Louisiana
November 18th 1846Dear Sister
your letterYour letter was received by the last mail and I had begun one of my long letters in part to repay you for the harsh and unjust tone of that of September 26th, and also for one still more harsh and [...] which you will receive before this reaches you. Would to God that any news had been blasted [?] eer [sic] it should have written a word that should have caused you a moments unhappiness. But they are yours - one received and now I can do no more than regret, ask forgiveness, and pray that the best may now be receiving -
I need not tell you that any word of the injunctions placed upon you need be observed or that any of my threats will never be carried out. I am sorry - exceedingly sorry, that a moments pevishness [sic] at your apparent neglect should have induced me to have written to you in so unbrotherly, ungentlemanly and [...ed] a manner. That you will forgive me for having made you for a moment unhappy I am assured; still this does not quiet any our conscience for the act. Now would not think it so very strange that I should write in the manner I have done if you knew with what anxiety I watch the northern mails, in the hope of hearing from my dear, dear friends so far distant. If mail after mail, as of late, comes and goes without bringing me letters from them, imagination paints them as writing in the agonies of death, or, at least of
the sick bedbed of sickness. Then when letters do come telling me that you are all well and have been, the natural feeling is to conceive that I have been neglected. I had rather that you wrote me two lines and send them often than that you should write hundreds of pages and mail them once in four or five months. Then hereafter write often - when you can write long letters when you cannot write long write short.You may ask and wonder why this is directed from St Francisville instead of as usual from Point Coupee. I have taken the school in this place. The Judge procuring it for me and at my request excused me from remaining out my entire time. He will send his boys to our home. He has been very kind to me - both he his wife and family - I need not tell you that I was sorry to live there, but the Judge is not a wealthy man and cannot afford to pay me as much as I can make here. I have just (barring the capital) engaged my board at one of the most respectable families in the place, with a lawyer of high standing[.]
St Francisville is situated on the Missp. about six miles from Point Coupee, and is one of the larger towns in the state when properly considered as a part of the Town of Bajou Sara. Bajou Sara, is on the Coast [?] land, immediately after the banks of the river. St. F. upon a high bluff, immediately back. The former is where most of the business is transacted, the latter where the most respectable people live.
I will when I finish the long letter I have begun to you give you a more accurate discription [sic] of my location, prospects &c -
I should have completed, as I anticipated, that letter, to have sent it where this will go, but business has prevented me and now I have scarcely time to write this - but trusting you might be anxious to hear from me soon, and wishing to in a measured contract that last letter I send this. You will receive the others within a week after this until then believe me your penitent but as ever your loving brother
Luther
Slight pretty Sue Allen's love! What could have put those in your head! Were it not sent as an "elegant [?] love". I should make it the business of my life to deserve the blessed boon of love. Remember me kindly to her and give her my love
I remember her [...] as one of the prettiest and most beautiful young ladies we ever had at the [...], and have often thought of her since I have been in this land of strangers. Blessed will she make the man to whom she grants her love. You may even go so far as to kiss her blooming cheek (the kiss of true and respectful friendship) for me.
Your Aff. Luther