_The Wayside_, Sunday morng., Sept. 29th
_Dearest_,
We were disappointed in not receiving a letter last night, but doubt
not all is going on well with you;--only that miserable headache. Why
was this world created? And thy throat too--which thou wilt never be
at the trouble of curing.
We get on bravely here, in great quiet and harmony; and except that
life is suspended (with me, at least) till thou comest back again, I
do not see how things could go better. We tried hard to be wretched on
Fast Day, in compliance with thy advice; but I think it did not
succeed very well with the two young people; nor could I perceive that
anybody really fasted, except myself, who dined on potatoes and
squash, as usual. I did purpose indulging myself in a plate of hot
soup; but thy exhortations were so earnest that I gave up the idea,
and am doubtless the better for my abstinence--though I do not as
yet see that the country has profited thereby.
Mr. Wetherbie came to see me with his bill; but I informed him of thy
orders not to pay it without some subtraction, and told him he must
await thy return--which he seemed not unwilling to do. He is going to
the wars!--as a dragoon!!--for he says he has all his life been fond
of military service, and the captain of his troop is an "old military
associate." Thou wouldst have thought, to hear him talk, that this
gallant Wetherbie was a veteran of at least twenty campaigns; but I
believe the real motive of his valiant impulses consists in his having
nothing else to do, and in his being dazzled by the sight of $200 in
gold, which W. brought home--where he could have got it (unless by
robbing the dead) I can't imagine; for his wages for three months
would not have been more than $40. But really, dearest, the spirit of
the people must be flagging terribly, when a sick old man like
Wetherbie is accepted as a bold dragoon! It shows that good soldiers
cannot be had.
Julian has had his hair cut according to his own notions; so thou must
expect to see a scarecrow.
Do not thou come home on Wednesday, if it can do any good either to
thyself or Bab to stay longer. But thou hast still another
expedition to make, and the cold weather will soon be upon us. Kiss
Bab for me and believe me