Letter: North Hamptons, [Georgia] to Callie [Lumpkin King], Montgomery, [Alabama], 1851 Dec. 29

Page: [1]

North Hamptons 1851 Dec [December] the 29th
Dear Sister
I had just returned from a short ride in a buggy with Tim & Tom [unclear text: Screven], when your letter came -- you ask me not to get frightened at your long letter -- instead of being frightened at its length -- I was very much pleased -- it was not half long-enough [long enough] for me I could read dozens of pages from you with more pleasure than you can well imagine -- in fact I had rather get a letter from you than any one [anyone] else (my sweet-heart [sweetheart] not excepted) you may not think so but it is true -- I assure you -- I was not angry at all about the opening of your last letter at home they acted right -- although I would prefer their not seeing it -- not that there was any-thing [anything] of any -- real importance in it -- but I do not want every body [everybody] to know what I am doing -- You speak of your first letter to me from Montgomery -- and say that you do not understand why I d[deleted text: o] [added text: id] not wish to see it -- my reasons for it is not worth the time to mention it & I will pass it by -- I am glad to hear that you enjoyed yourself so much at Montgomery -- it only shows the good sense of your western beaux -- their admiring you & paying you so much attention but how anyone -- that had ever seen you & [added text: had] been in

Page: [2]

your company for any length of time could keep from not only admiring -- but even loving you I cannot tell -- I for one Sister Callie think that you are perfection in every respect -- For my sake Sister dont [don't] try & catch the member in the house whom you mention -- I cannot agree to it on account of his name I dont [don't] like his name I have no doubt, but that you will be courted some five or six times while you are out there -- you must not give any one [anyone] an answer until you come home -- & we can talk the matter over together -- if you do give any of them the tip of your toe -- do it as gently as you possibly can -- I should rather think you had taken a sort of a fancy for Bob [unclear text: Goree] from the manner in which you write about him -- well Sister Callie if you like him -- think him smart & clever -- that he could love you as I do -- (which I do not think he ever could) & that you could love him & be happy with him -- why then set your cup [cap] for him & catch him -- or Porter King either -- You must not come home without a good picture of yourself for me -- if you cannot have it taken in your black silk -- why then have it taken in any-thing [anything] -- the reason why I wanted you to have it taken in the silk for -- it is because I think you look prettier in the black-silk than any-thing [anything]

Page: [3]

that you have -- & I want you to look as pretty as you possibly can when it is taken if you only look as you always (except when you have a headache) it will be pretty enough -- you speak of my falling in love -- & giving it to some fair lady -- I do not think that I would have to fall far -- to be in love I have taken my fall already -- I do not expect to see any-one [anyone] that I love [deleted text: well] enough to give it to -- until I see you -- you must be certain to come home by the 16th of Jan [January] -- for I do not care to go back home until you return so you must come by that time -- not a single day later -- I hope you did not tell Miss Anna Cousins -- that I loved her -- although I do love her like thunder & lightning -- I cannot find words enough to tell you how much I love her -- please never mention to any-one [anyone] either your particular friends -- or mine -- for I never want any-one [anyone] to know it -- Well Sister Callie I will tell you something about my trip down here & how I have spent my time -- my trip from Milledgeville did not occupy much time -- In Savanah [Savannah] I found the Legislature on a visit -- the most of them very drunk & among others [unclear text: Glenn] -- the secretary of the senate -- a bright looking set -- to make laws for the Sate [State] -- one of them died there he was from Elbert -- I met Tom Screven

Page: [4]

who carried me about & showed me as much as he knew -- I did not stay in Savanah [Savannah] but a day & that was Sunday -- I left in the stage on Mond [added text: a]y [Monday] & foun [added text: d] [found] that the Barnards were expecting me on next day -- the old man & his brother came for me about five miles -- Nat was sick & [unclear text: Tim] & his mother at church -- they treated me very kindly indeed Tom Screven came out two days after & has been here ever since -- we have a very pleasant time of it -- Tom -- Tim & myself stay in the same room & we have rare times -- we hunt almost every day -- I have killed one deer -- we eat supper about six O clock [o'clock] -- then an oyster supper at ten then smoke & talk until 12 & then go to bed -- Nat comes in our room -- & talks with us -- he is a strange sort of a fellow he is clever but too fickle and changeable he still says that he loves Puss Dougherty he talks very little about her -- I like Mr. & Mrs. Barnard very much -- they are very clever people -- Mr. Barnard is very lively & full of fun -- Tim is a clever fellow Mrs B [Barnard] gave Tom Screven & myself a sort of a party the other night -- & asked several of the young persons here -- we had a pleas [added text: ant] [pleasant] time of it -- I went to another the night after at a Miss Jones's -- I went & called on her to-day [today] with Tom & Tim -- we had some fun there -- of us in a buggie -- I saw Joe Wilkin's his wife -- Miss [unclear text: Lou] & Elizabeth Boudin at preaching last Sunday-Tom & Tim are awaiting for me to go to bed -- we are down stairs [downstairs] & have only one candle -- so I must close Good bye [Goodbye] until we meet on [illegible text]

Your affectionate
Brother
[Signed] James
Do not write no more here -- I will leave soon -- excuse this miserable letter -- It is written in a great hurry -- Please dont [don't] show it