05. Nellie's Letters, March-April 1865

together. One week ago the city very gaily dressed in token of rejoicing at the surrender of Lee and the seeming prospect of immediate peace, now it is deeply draped in mourning for the death of our loved President. I can conceive of no greater loss that could have befallen us at this time of critical interest to all concerned in our country's welfare. The suddenness of the strike seems to have nearly paralyzed our good people. They can talk of nothing else and business has been almost suspended. Public buildings, all places of business, and many private houses are deeply hung with black and white. Some of the designs are very fine and quite touching. We are going tonight -- no this afternoon, to hear a sermon appropriate to the occasion, that reminds me that I was very near listening to one at dinner today.

an old minister was a guest and as the subject turned upon the causes of this was I got into quite a warm discussion with my uncle who is always on the opposite side, and by -- (I flatter myself) -- a few engenious questions made him contradict himself very shortly. When the old fellow the parson, beg his pardon if that is disrespectful -- advanced some views which being a wicked universalist I could not swallow, so I ventured to respond, and such an avalanche as I found tumbling about my devoted ears! Mrs Gosse helped him and they repeated to me nearly the whole of the new testament which I found too large a dose and rose to leave the room when he arrested me by this momentous question. "If a man drunk and swearing should fall

overboard where would he go to"? Some imp of mischief prompted me to say "to the bottom", his look of holy horror caused me to retreat in disorder, feeling half ashamed of my levity.

Byron has gone down east to take a peep at his Dulcinea, there being two days in which he was not obliged to keep open his office, he could not resist the temptation even when his big sis was here to console him. However I forgive him as -- "'tis sweet at least they tell me so". A young man of your age and experience can in all probability sympathize with him. Too bad you are so old isn't it? Had you been young and good looking enough possibly I might have played the sweet for your benefit, as it is though you are safe from

any of my wiles. What girl with my youth and beauty wants a beau who is nearly forty and grey as to his hair? What if he was considered the finest figure in a Norway ball room! that's nothing. Why once upon a time I even I was the belle in that same hall, but there were not more that a dozen ladies present and all of those were old maids. Can you take a joke?

May wishes to present her cousinly love. but I won't deliver any such message. How in the world can she have a cousinly regard for you? Indeed I can't see how it can happen that she does -- unless you have been making love to some of my relations, which you had better not do, because I'll expose

you and tell them what a gay deceiver you are, and how you trifled with my young affections, and when I get to be a man I'll call you out and give you a dose of warm lead. May won't let me write another word so good bye -- be a good boy, mind your mother go to sabbath school and if you firmly believe that the world is round and -- has no end, you will die when the time comes and go to the best place that is ready for you where I will be waiting with open arms to receive you -- if nothing takes place to prevent, but if you know all doubtful things are uncertain, so don't die for that especial purpose because I might change my