18 March 1897 Letter from James Monroe Smith to Eva Slaton Submitted for the Union Parish Louisiana USGenWeb Archives by Robert S. Hendrick, 5/2006 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ Materials from the Personal Collection of Dr. Robert S. Hendrick, Jr. Transcribed and submitted by Robert S. Hendrick, Jr. ================================================================================= 18 March 1897 Letter from James Monroe Smith to Eva Slaton Smith became the Union Parish Clerk of Court in 1879 and served until 1900, when he resigned to serve as a Louisiana State Senator. Smith had courted Slaton prior to his marriage to May Olive Kidd in 1885, but May had died in February 1895. Smith and Slaton married in January 1898. ================================================================================== ================================================================================== NOTE: James M. Smith underlined groups of words in this letter. All words underlined are notated in this transcription by * *. ================================================================================== ================================================================================== Jas. M. Smith, Clerk Edward Everett, Deputy Clerk’s Office Parish of Union Farmerville, LA March 18, 1897 Miss Eva Slaton My darling little girl, That sweet little missive from *one I love so well* came last Saturday evening about the same hour mine reach you. To say that when out of your presence darling your letters give me more pleasure than anything else does not begin to express the real pleasure experienced in their perusal. I wonder if you read mine over & over, from day to day until the next one comes as I do my sweet little girl’s? I doubt it. I have your photo in the drawer of the desk I occupy in the office, where I take a peep at my little darling very often when there is no present and *wish so much* that I had the *original* with me *all the time*. There is hardly a day darling, that I don’t look at the photo of my sweet little girl & sometimes several times in a day, so you can have some little idea how much I enjoy looking at the sweetest & most charming little woman to me in the World. Darling, it is mighty sweet of you to think of and talk to *your boy* and to remember him as “sweetly & lovingly” as you say you do. I just believe our love and devotion for each other dearest, is *as great, as true* and *as pure* as that of any lovers. What do you think about it? Of course I was jesting when I insinuated that Mr. Everett’s girl might think more of him by her frequent letters. I think my little girl loves me as well as Mr. E’s or any other fellow’s, for she has given me the sweetest & tiniest evidence of that fact. Yes darling, I agree with you that “much speaking” does not always express the most ardent love, but often times “*a look*” and “*a touch of the hand*” is more expressive, and I think a *sweet little k* — or *touch of the lips* is *still more expressive*. Don’t you agree with me? You say I am the first man you ever made love to. Are you real sure of that darling? You have had *so much love* made to *you* by your boy, you would surely have been very cold and indifferent not to have given him some *small* evidence of reciprocation. I know my little darling does not regret in the least opening her heart to her boy for she well knows, she has his *whole heart* and *his love, as true & tender* as any man ever lavished upon the woman he would call his sweet little wife. Dearest, you know I couldn’t afford to disappoint my little girl in getting a letter at the regular time if I did have preachers as my guests. While I love *the brethren* well enough, I love my little girl *more*, yes, *inexpressively more* and to commence and talk with her was infinitely more enjoyable than with the brethren. Yes dearest, your boy’s time shall be yours *especially* on the *Sabbath* for “there’ll be no place like home” to him when you are there and it shall be a special time for “sweet communion” between my little darling and me and not even the brethren must dare to molest or trespass. I shall take great pleasure and consider it my duty too as deacon, to spend at least a portion of those Sabbath afternoons in pointing out to my "*dearly beloved Sister*" the error of her way” and teach her “the straight and narrow way” and "*the importance of baptism (by immersion) close communion as found in the gospel*" to the attainment thereof. Darling language is inadequate to express how happy I will be when I can have you with me all the time, and I know no man will have a more charming, loved and loveable wife and one nearer perfection in her husband’s eye, than I. My chief ambition dearest, *shall be, first your happiness*. I am real sorry dearest your nervous trouble still continues, I was so hopeful it would soon leave you. I am glad the Dr. regards it as nothing of a serious nature & thinks you will entirely recover from its effects in 2 or 3 months. Yes darling, I fear you have worried entirely too much over our affair. My opinion is that over-work at College & worrying over our affair combined is what caused your nervousness. I am sorry *I let* (?) you go back to Ala. last year and that you have let our matter worry you so much. It was *so unnecessary* for you to return to Ala. and I blame myself forever consenting for you to go. Dearest, is this the first attack of nervousness you ever had? Now I want you to quit worrying over the matter in the least & do nothing that would tend to deter your improvement. You know nearest health is one of the greatest boons of life and you must be patient & take good care of my sweet little girl, for my sake, if not for your own. You know darling, I love you well enough to consent to a post-ponement of our marriage until you can regain your health or for any other reasonable cause, so you must not let it worry you any more. While if your health was such & it suited your convenience I would prefer to marry sometime this Spring, but I am going to leave the matter with you & what ever you decide on will be alright with me. It seems to me that I want to see you more & more, if possible, the nearer the time comes to visit you, so much so that I can hardly wait for the time. Dearest, do you think a visit from me now would be good or bad medicine for you? If good, I guess I will come right away, as I am very anxious to cure my little girl, as soon as possible, but if it would have a bad effect I would do well to defer my visit. What you say? I can’t say exactly now what day I will visit you. I may go to Ruston next Sunday 21st or Monday 22nd as it may be any day after that during the week. Don’t be looking for me until I get there & write you, as I don’t want you to be disappointed in the least. Write me if only a short note by return (Saturday’s) mail if you are at home & will be there all next week. Darling I wouldn’t be disappointed in seeing you for anything, is the reason I wish to be sure you are at home when I go. Yours Devotedly, James P. S. I will surprise you with a letter sooner than expected. You say the people of Ruston know all about our affair. Is that a fact or were you speaking ironically? ###########################