Ringgold June 26, 1857

My dear friend Sallie,

Cousin Jennie & I both agreed to write to you, I told her she could write about "matters & things in general" and I would write about the boys in particular.

Well I am as you see in Ringgold yet & have enjoyed myself as usual since you left, but I assure you Sallie dear, we missed you very much after you left. We liked to have had the blues, but Cousin Let V is so funny she kept us from it. We are all in the room up stairs next to Overby's & Cousin Let keeps saying something so funny. That accounts for my leaving out so many words. It is raining & everything seems dull & dreary; I almost get home sick but then I think of somebody's pretty bright eyes & sweet smile & I feel like I could stay a long time yet. Oh! by the way Sall, sure enough Shin Shanks did come Monday after you left, & he had on the same blue socks & the very same short pants & colored gaiters. He seemed to regret very much that you had left before he came, but he talked & talked & talked to me. Oh! it was distressing to hear him. He took his same seat. When he asked me to play I felt a little confused at first but it soon passed off & we took on considerably. Cousin Let says I am the most deceitful creature she ever saw, but I tell her no, I naturally like the fellow. Oh! by the way Mr. Breese & Mr. Will Evans were here last night. They staid till late. Oh! I enjoyed myself so well, & MOnday night after you left there was a show in town. You ought to have seen Mr. Breese & I. We took on. None of the young ladies from Mr. Moore's were there but I get on finely with him. I have laughed so much since I have been writing that I scarcely know what I have written. Cousin Let has been going on so funny. She says she has got the chalie & thing. She says it will take all the hair off & etc. Sallie do excuse foolishness & do for the love of many mercies dont let anyone see this letter.

Saturday morning) So I did not finish this letter last night. I will now attempt to do so. Some one knocked last night & Mr. Moore asked them in. We thought it was Mr. Carrothers & Mr. Inman, but we were mistaken. When we went in it was Mr. C. & Dr. Fowler. I enjoyed myself more than ever. He is so handsome & inteligent & so fascinating in his manners. I shall be obliged to tear myself away from here soon. It wont do for me to stay much longer. Mr. Brice said give you his double & twisted love. I didn't like it much but however. Miss Letty says she is much obliged for the nice messages you sent her in Jennie's letter. I know you are tired of so much foolishness. I should be so glad for you to write to me. I will be in Rome two weeks & then in Summerville for the next five months. Do write to me Sallie. I will enclose this with Jennie's.

Truly your friend,
India

My love to your Mother

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Dr. Fowler & Mr. Crawford called hear last night. Dr. Fowler asked me if I had heard from you since you left. I told him you had. He said I must present his kindest regards to you. I tell you for him you must not stay from Ringgold long. Mr. Evans regrets very much his not seeing you. He also sends his compliments to you. I say you must be certain to come on the 16th of July to the fair. I do hope you will come at that time. A few nights before Cousin Let left Mr. Carrothers & two other gentlemen called. Cousin Let & Mr. Carrothers had a pretty good --?--. I wish you could have been hear to have heard it. It would take me to long to write it all.

Cousin Sallie please take pitty on your poor cousin Jennie & write very soon & write me a long letter. Not the first lady called on cousin India after you left.

Affectionately your cousin
Jennie L. Moore

I had so much company all day yesterday & last night & today again that I could not possibly send this letter any sooner. It is now Tuesday night and we are all along & in a great deal of trouble. Mr. received a letter from Mr. & Mrs Hearff today informing us that brother was worse. Pa must go there this evening and he could not possibly go. He will start early in the morning. I have cryed untill I can scarcely see how to form my letters. Oh Cousin Sallie, you cannot imagine how badly I feel. What would nt I give if my dear brother was at home where I could see him & wait on him. It will be three weeks Thursday since he was taken sick. Cousin India left here today & I feel like a poor lost one. I have scarcely smiled today. You have no idea how much we all miss you.

I wish you were here tonight.

Sister, Amanda, & Mary join me in best love to you & they say they want to see you more than they did before your came.
Jennie