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Wednesday night Jany. [January] 14th 1852 
My dear Miss Callie,
A note received this morning, from my father, informs me of your safe arrival in Athens -- he saw your Pa in Macon -- I now know where to think of you I followed you from the depot at this place, knowing almost precisely at each hour your locality, 'till you reached Atlanta -- from that place, I knew not your route, to Macon or Athens --

I sometimes fear that in the joy of once more being surrounded by fond parents, doting brothers and loveable nieces, you have forgotten him, who thinks of you constantly and loves you ever -- It seems an age, my dear Miss Callie, since we parted, so "leaden paced" are [in] the moments, when you are absent -- a long, long month must elapse before I shall be blessed with a smile from your sweet face, or listen to the soft tones of your gentle voice and clasp your dear white little hand, extended to give me a welcome --

Sometimes in yielding to fancy, I imagine 



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myself strolling with you in the Botanical garden, listening to the songs of nature's musicians, [unclear text: cutting] flowers and talking of love -- the ever fruitful theme. You may think it strange in me to write of gardens, flowers and birds this bitter cold night, but when I was in Athens, the birds did sing and roses did bloom, didnt [didn't] they? Now, this night were I in Athens, I would sit by my dearie's side in the [unclear text: Boudoir] and hang upon her lips as she would relate her travels in Europe (don't forget your promise to show me your book) interrupting her discourse now & then with a suggestion of love
Father writes me that mother endures the fatigues of travel with great fortitude and is even in fine spirits -- letter from home informs, "that all are well" and that Miss Callie is much missed -- you'll soon return to see them and make a long visit, wont [won't] you?

Remember us kindly to your relatives -- [unclear text: Make] happy, by soon writing a note to


devotedly your 

[Signed] Porter