DIY History | Transcribe | Civil War Diaries and Letters | James B. Weaver letters to Clara Vinson, 1856-1858

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James B. Weaver letters to Clara Vinson, 1856-1858

1858-04-29 Page 04

a lady unless she was religious.  
Now I think there are a great many who only lack that one thing to make them just what a person should be, & you might influence some such an one by your example, to seek, "the pearl of great price" if you were brought into such close relationship, who under different circumstances might never have been induced to try to be religious. I think you went a little too far, for my part I think more of a person who has never been religious than one whose religion makes them no better, & then of course I have no confidence in them.  
Well I want you to tell Mrs F. for me that what I told her was not for the public. But to tell the truth I was afraid you would do something rashly, & the thought which I expressed did come through my head. The effect of reading romances no doubt. No indeed, the man has not yet been that I would be afraid of. Although cowardly in some respects, I am not there. Some of my past history if you knew it would prove it. Be glad to be surprised by seeing you, but if I should not be at hand I could not help it. O dear, Monday is a long while to wait for a letter. I did not mean to call you "dear," I never.  
As ever your Friend Clara [Vinson?]
[upside down at top of page:]
Last evening I attended a lecture delivered by Mr Belding of Keokuk. Mr W. Mayne went with me. He told me he heard I was to be married as soon as this school was out. A mistake I said.

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a lady unless she was religious. Now I think there are a great many who only lack that one thing to make them just what a person should be, & you might influence some such an one by your example, to seek, "the pearl of great price" if you were brought into such close relationship, who under different circumstances might never have been induced to try to be religious. I think you went a little too far, for my part I think more of a person who has never been religious than one whose religion makes them no better, & then of course I have no confidence in them. Well I want you to tell Mrs F. for me that what I told her was not for the public. But to tell the truth I was afraid you would do something rashly, & the thought which I expressed did come through my head. The effect of reading romances no doubt. No indeed, the man has not yet been that I would be afraid of. Although cowardly in some respects, I am not there. Some of my past history if you knew it would prove it. Be glad to be surprised by seeing you, but if I should not be at hand I could not help it. O dear, Monday is a long while to wait for a letter. I did not mean to call you "dear," I never. As ever your Friend Clara [Vinson?] [upside down at top of page:] Last evening I attended a lecture delivered by Mr Belding of Keokuk. Mr W. Mayne went with me. He told me he heard I was to be married as soon as this school was out. A mistake I said.