DIY History | Transcribe | Civil War Diaries and Letters | Bean family letters, 1845-1860

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1845-12-21 Page 02

Sunday Evening again. This Being the Day of the week Mary formerly occupied by us In particular as a Day of Friendship & pleasure So; far as Enjoyment in Each others Society Mutual Improvement of the Mind by Social Conversation & perusal of Books being a Day of Relaxation from Common Business pursuits when I was at Home always afforded time for us to Spend Hours of uninterrupted pleasure; and Now the pen Though formal [in?] in its nature but being the only available Source; for Myself I Cheerfully Embrace it and pen a few of th[ose?] Many Revolving Thoughts. which per chance May be to [you?] a Source of amusement, and when you consider the Source; and Bring that Master Mind, of Thine, to bear aright They will be acceptable - well Mary will You be Glad to See Me when I come Home! Will You Drop one Tear for My Return or will You KIss Me; which Will You Do Say? - I was walking up Broadway towards the colledge a Day or two Before Christmas; when My attention was attracted by an auction; at which were Selling Divers costly articles of fancy Such as Decorate the Habitations of the wealthy in this city - They were Sellin[g?] Verry cheap for This Market & I was Strongly Inclined to purchase [erased] one; of which there were two offerred; they were not to be Sold separa[tely?] and that prevented the purchase - the article was a Marble Book [erased] pearly whiteness not in The Least adulterated or changed in colour Except on Each corner of one Side which was Decorated with flowers of gold & The Interior & Exterior was an Emblem of purity I was forcibly Struck with it as being an Express Image of the purity of Mind & purpose of one with whom My Affections are Ever Blended as a Kindred Spirit; came to the conclusion that as a present [it would convey] More More Emphatically than words the Just View I entertain of Your [Sterling wort] & purity of purpose - If You were Here & Had Seen it You certainly would Have Let Me purchased it - but They were Both Bid off by a Gentleman for His 2 Daughters. I Have occupied considerable space [?] upon that Subject for to Me it was quite Interesting; It was So perfectly Emblematical and Expressive of the Exalted opinion I Entertain of Your purity of principle and design that if they Had I Repeat come up Separately I Surely Should Have Bought one & Dedicated it a christmas present to My own Dear Mary; and then if I could Have Sent it Home previous to My Coming You would Have Gazed upon it Every Day and Said. The Doctor Does Entertain Exalted Views of My Designs; Surely I. will Reward Him for all this when time of need arrives - & the Little children will Do So Too - You will Discover This 1/2 Sheet is clear gain so far as postage is [conned?] consequently it is for Your own Self
[Vertically, on left-hand side:] This Sheet in particular is Designed for Mary P. Bean. A A B.

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Sunday Evening again. This Being the Day of the week Mary formerly occupied by us In particular as a Day of Friendship & pleasure So; far as Enjoyment in Each others Society Mutual Improvement of the Mind by Social Conversation & perusal of Books being a Day of Relaxation from Common Business pursuits when I was at Home always afforded time for us to Spend Hours of uninterrupted pleasure; and Now the pen Though formal [in?] in its nature but being the only available Source; for Myself I Cheerfully Embrace it and pen a few of th[ose?] Many Revolving Thoughts. which per chance May be to [you?] a Source of amusement, and when you consider the Source; and Bring that Master Mind, of Thine, to bear aright They will be acceptable - well Mary will You be Glad to See Me when I come Home! Will You Drop one Tear for My Return or will You KIss Me; which Will You Do Say? - I was walking up Broadway towards the colledge a Day or two Before Christmas; when My attention was attracted by an auction; at which were Selling Divers costly articles of fancy Such as Decorate the Habitations of the wealthy in this city - They were Sellin[g?] Verry cheap for This Market & I was Strongly Inclined to purchase [erased] one; of which there were two offerred; they were not to be Sold separa[tely?] and that prevented the purchase - the article was a Marble Book [erased] pearly whiteness not in The Least adulterated or changed in colour Except on Each corner of one Side which was Decorated with flowers of gold & The Interior & Exterior was an Emblem of purity I was forcibly Struck with it as being an Express Image of the purity of Mind & purpose of one with whom My Affections are Ever Blended as a Kindred Spirit; came to the conclusion that as a present [it would convey] More More Emphatically than words the Just View I entertain of Your [Sterling wort] & purity of purpose - If You were Here & Had Seen it You certainly would Have Let Me purchased it - but They were Both Bid off by a Gentleman for His 2 Daughters. I Have occupied considerable space [?] upon that Subject for to Me it was quite Interesting; It was So perfectly Emblematical and Expressive of the Exalted opinion I Entertain of Your purity of principle and design that if they Had I Repeat come up Separately I Surely Should Have Bought one & Dedicated it a christmas present to My own Dear Mary; and then if I could Have Sent it Home previous to My Coming You would Have Gazed upon it Every Day and Said. The Doctor Does Entertain Exalted Views of My Designs; Surely I. will Reward Him for all this when time of need arrives - & the Little children will Do So Too - You will Discover This 1/2 Sheet is clear gain so far as postage is [conned?] consequently it is for Your own Self [Vertically, on left-hand side:] This Sheet in particular is Designed for Mary P. Bean. A A B.