Page: [1] Tuesday night Feby [February] 15th/53 [1853] My dear wife, Fatigued from the labors of the day I sit me down for a short chat with my darling -- judge of my disappointment on opening my bundle of papers on yestarday [yesterday] evening to find no letter from you -- my first impression, which rendered me miserable, was that my darling was unable to write -- and I so far away -- my prompt determination was immediately to leave for Geo. [Georgia] in casting the matter over and revolving it in my mind, the thought flashed across my mind that you had written and that the trifling scamp had lost my mail on Friday I looked over the dates of my papers and suspicion became conviction -- I am satisfied that he lost my mail on Friday -- the scamp I could ring [wring] his ears -- I shall make some other arrangement about my mail unless I can get Thos. [Thomas] Walthall to have a P.O. [Post Office] at his house -- I have talked with him about it -- he seems rather indifferent, Mrs. Perkins is very anxious for the arrangement -- On yestarday [yesterday] I met Mr. Hatch at his request about ditching &c [et cetera] we settled the matter amicably -- I dined with him -- had a mighty poor, mean contemptible dinner -- he is a mortal sweet talking man, if he only does half as fair as he talks, he will do exceedingly well -- Page: [2] I had Irish potatoes planted on yestarday [yesterday], I had one square in the garden & about as much ground in the oat [unclear text: patch] east of the garden planted -- I have some potatoes reserved in the event the first planting should be killed -- I had some cabbage seed sown to day [today] -- shall plant lettuce mustard &c [et cetera] tomorrow, if it does not rain, of which there is a fine prospect to-night [tonight] -- This forenoon I was busily engaged in laying off ditches -- superintending preparation for cleaning out my wells, had returned to the house for my dinner, when I was informed that Mr Walthall had sent over for me to dine and meet Mr Lee [deleted text: [illegible text] ] Walthall on some business, I posted over & found a nice fat turkey, "chou chou" &c [et cetera] inviting my digestive organs to the conflict -- Dr [Doctor] Markham was not at dinner to-day [today], but had staid [stayed] with them last night. After dinner, and we all did justice to Mrs P.'s [Perkins'] good things, I ascertained that the business of Mr. L. W. [Lee Walthall] was to ride over his farm and give my opinion on some ditches -- now Callie want [wasn't] that a compliment to your old man -- considering his verdancy in farming? but darling, I believe you think your old gentleman is proficient in all things -- How pleasant is it, my dear wife, to know that there is one who thinks every thing you do is right -- in whose estimation you can do no wrong -- How often and with what pleasure, do I recall the many endearing expressions that have fallen from your sweet lips, prompted by a warm, sincere, loving and confiding heart -- Callie, sweet Callie, my darling Callie, how I do love you -- God bless you my dear wife -- Page: [3] My letters are barren of news -- I see no one to learn news from -- but my dear, wife, you never grow weary at being told of my love, my deep seated and undying attachment for you? Do you dear Callie? Now Callie am I not right clever to have written this my fifth letter and never received one -- but dear love I live on hope, tomorrow I expect a bushel of love letters from my darling -- what a treat is there in store for me -- How flourishes our darling Paul -- Heaven protect him, can he call his Pa's name -- how many somersets [somersaults] can he turn in a minute? How does Sarah demean herself? if not well, promise her a report to me when I come in -- her children are very well -- Mr [unclear text: Jno] Walthall is looked for every day with his family -- Mrs. W's health is said to be perfectly restored, I hope it may prove true -- I expect Mr. Thos [Thomas] and Lee Walthall to come over tomorrow to ride over my farm with me also to take dinner -- how proud would I be for my darling, my own little Callie, to preside over the table -- how more than happy would I be to have her now this very windy night, close by my side -- but darling, 'tis [it is] not so ordered, we must live in the hope of soon being united -- sweet love, my wife, I never before knew how inexpressibly dear you were to me -- whenever I am in the house I find myself involuntarily opening the ward-robe [wardrobe] to look at the gingham dress my darling so often wore -- the first one fixed for 's accommodation. Page: [4] Daisy asked very affectionately after her "sweet aunt Callie" the child behaved very well to-day [today] -- I received a letter last night from Allen Jones tw'as ['twas] [it was] very kind and affectionate -- also a letter from Jimmy to you which I enclose -- he is a sprightly fellow of very fair promise -- tis [it is] [It is] growing late -- I must stop this rambling letter Remember me kindly to all -- Dear wife, sweet Callie good-night [good night]; be cheerful, be contented, be happy, as possible and therein show your love for your devoted [Signed] Porter Wednesday morning -- We had a very heavy rain last night -- The yard is quite wet -- Dear Callie, whilst the wind was blowing and rain falling last night, I would involuntarily stretch forth my arms to receive my precious -- how often last night would I wake up & find my self [myself] thinking about you -- dear love take special care of yourself for the sake of Your own [Signed] Porter