27 June 1897 Letter from James Monroe Smith to Eva Slaton Submitted for the Union Parish Louisiana USGenWeb Archives by Robert S. Hendrick, 11/2005 ************************************************ 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. ================================================================================= 27 June 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 ================================================================================== ================================================================================== James M. Smith Sr. to Eva Slaton (Addressed to Mrs. M. L. Brooks; c/o T T Slaton) Jas. M. Smith, Clerk Edward Everett, Deputy Clerk's Office Parish of Union Farmerville, LA June 27, 1897 My darling little Eva girl, Your sweet little letter came day before yesterday and if you had me when I unlocked my letterbox and recognized the familiar handwriting, I know you would have said in your thoughts, "a happier man I haven't seen since he was to see me on Saturday evening the 19th." Darling the only real pleasure I have now when out of your angelic presence is reading your precious little letters, always fraught with tenderest love and devotion that can emanate only from the pure, sweet, trusting heart of as true, noble, loving and lovely woman as ever graced and beautified the life of any man. And when I consider the present, I feel in my heart, that I know that my sweet, precious little doll loves me just as well. No man ever had dearer, sweeter, stronger assurances and evidences of pure, noble woman's love. Then too darling no man ever loved a woman more passionately, fondly than I do you. No woman has ever been or will ever be happier than I, the moments my precious little darling becomes my wife. Knowing each other as we do and loving with a love none greater. I feel there will be no happier couple I our married life than we, and none more to live for. I too darling am so lonely since I left you, ever more so than usual. The more I am with you, the more foolish I am about you. I would be so happy if I just have my little darling with me all the while. As it is I am very unhappy when out of your presence. I don't see how I can stand it a great while longer. If I was near where I could see you often it would not be so bad but as it is I think it dreadfully hard on us. Darling I do wish it was so we could marry soon say sometime next month. September is so long off and I will probably not be able to visit you more than a time or two between now and then. Our Court begins first Monday in August and probably last 3 weeks and I will be very busy. Now dearest don't disappoint me about our marriage in September for I just don't feel that I can defer it any longer than that. My last visit was truly delightful. You are such a good sweet little girl to your boy and have more pretty little ways to entertain him and make him happy "and feel your presence", than any other fellow's girl can him. I'm so sorry my little girl has been so uneasy about me. Why darling I told you several times that "my jump" did not hurt me in the least. It only paused or shocked me a little. I "lit" on my feet, my hands nor any other portion of my body touched the ground. I braced myself by holding to the chair which I kept in front of me. I have suffered no injury whatever and no inconvenience for it. The only thing I feared when I saw I had to jump, was jumping in the dark and something that might cause an injury, but fortunately there was nothing in the way and I had a "fair, square" jump and "lit" well. I have had some good laughs when I think how sure I was as to your back gallery in my mind's eye and how fooled I was in reality. That was certainly a big joke you put up on me darling, too good to tell. I know Mrs. Brooks must have wondered what had happened and for the moment thought it something serious. It was indeed very kind in her to think of coming to my relief, had it been necessary. Tell her that her offer of assistance had it been necessary demonstrates very clearly, to my mind, that whenever the occasion demands she will be found eminately the example of the "Good Samaritan". Darling I received a letter last night asking me to preside on the LA State University day at the Chautauqua on the 16th prox. I hardly know what to do, as Commissioner of Agriculture for the State will hold a meeting here on 17th prox. And asked me to read an essay or make a talk on stock raising, which I halfway promised to do. I can't attend both. Now you see if you were here, Mrs. Smith now, you could help me to decide which to do. I don't think I can attempt the Chautauqua but once, when I will remain several days, write me when you want me to come and in your opinion the most entertaining week of the sessions. Don't say anything about the invitation to preside on L. S. U. day as I don't know that I can accept yet and in the event I don't, the party might prefer nothing said about it, as most people don't like to know they are 2nd choice in matters of this kind. If I don't act of cause some one else will. I got home for dinner the day I left Ruston and had a very pleasant trip. Dearest it seems that Ruston has had several marriages recently with prospects of more soon. It does seem that ours is a long way off. I would prefer to marry now while it is the fashion, wouldn't you? Well how is my little girl getting on now with her nervous trouble? This is very important for me to know. Always write me how your health is. I am glad you are well pleased with your ring. When you look at it, you can know of a fact that it is a souvenir and seal of your boy's undying love and devotion. I almost forgot to ask you what messages Fred Price sent you about me. Write me. Well, I have written you a much longer letter than you wrote as my paper is much longer and wider. You must take good care of your sweet little self and get real well soon for your boy's sake. Write me a long letter little sooner if it suits your convenience. With a heart full of love. Yours Devotedly, James ########################################################################