{"id":8988,"date":"2023-04-04T21:53:41","date_gmt":"2023-04-04T21:53:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/library\/?page_id=8988"},"modified":"2023-04-04T21:53:41","modified_gmt":"2023-04-04T21:53:41","slug":"j-r-baird-collection-3-13-1866","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/library\/j-r-baird-collection-3-13-1866\/","title":{"rendered":"J.R. Baird Collection – 3\/13\/1866"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][divider line_type=”No Line”][vc_column_text]\n

J.R. Baird Collection – March 13, 1866<\/span><\/h1>\n[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line”][page_submenu alignment=”center” sticky=”true” bg_color=”#008542″ link_color=”#ffffff”][page_link link_url=”https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/library\/manuscripts-and-guides\/” title=”Manuscripts & Subject Guides<\/strong>” id=”1680644992696-5″ tab_id=”1680644992697-7″] [\/page_link][page_link link_url=”https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/library\/guides-to-the-collection-page\/” title=”Collections Portal<\/strong>” id=”1680644992705-9″ tab_id=”1680644992705-8″] [\/page_link][page_link title=”Visit<\/strong>” id=”1680645000725-3″ tab_id=”1680645000727-0″ link_url=”https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/library\/departments\/archives-museum\/visit\/”][\/page_link][page_link title=”Make a Request<\/strong>” id=”1680645001558-2″ tab_id=”1680645001559-1″ link_url=”https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/library\/departments\/archives-museum\/requests\/”][\/page_link][page_link title=”About Us<\/strong>” id=”1680645002336-4″ tab_id=”1680645002337-6″ link_url=”https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/library\/departments-archives-museum-about-us\/”][\/page_link][page_link title=”Yearbooks Online<\/strong>” id=”1680645003066-2″ tab_id=”1680645003067-3″ link_url=”https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/library\/departments\/archives-museum\/yearbooks-alumni-magazines-delta-state-histories\/”][\/page_link][\/page_submenu][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]J.R. Baird Collection<\/strong><\/p>\n

Transcribed by: Wanda Ray<\/strong><\/p>\n

Transcription Date: 2.10.2006\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

\u201cBeauty\u2019s Retreat\u201d<\/p>\n

March 13th<\/sup> 1866<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dear Nonnie:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

From the commencement of yours dated February 25th<\/sup> I have but little encouragement in forming a reply, as I am taking the risk of causing the distraction of another delightful letter, but often perusing further I find such perfect gratification, that I make this attempt; trusting too, that of your goodness of heart will assist my uncouth style in evading a similar blunder.<\/p>\n

I am badly wanting in words to express the ecstatic felicity produced by your most excellent favor.\u00a0 Truly it came fraught with food for serious reflection and though I may have failed to give it the amt. deserved yet am as thoughtful fixed in my first opinions that my life will remain a blank without thee and my \u201cabsurdities and dullness of comprehension\u201d still exist until you correct them.\u00a0 Jesting aside I certainly never knew or understood by our real position, (not withstanding I felt that I had your confidence), until the reception of your last, which I think together with my confidant) so filled with good, sound, contemplated, truth, philosophy and justice.<\/p>\n

Consequently after reading it carefully I feel most painfully my incapacity to respond as it deserves and equally so, my unworthiness of such a jewel as yourself.<\/p>\n

My reluctancy in trying to decide upon \u201cThe eventful day\u201d was caused partly by the belief, that you (very naturally) would much prefer the hills, (hence my endeavors) to this lonesome, gloomy Swamp where circumstances may force me for one or two years; this together with the conviction that t\u2019was a heavy tax upon you to be torn from the bosom of an affectionate and loving family, that ever saddens at your sighs of delights in your smiles.\u00a0 The ties of society, friends and pleasure are not forgotten in a day or a week \u2013 Oh! Fannie, when I contemplate all and feel even threw your willingness to have my lot I am ready honestly to be burned by piece-meals for your existence. \u00a0Thank you for your \u201cunlimited confidence.\u201d \u00a0T\u2019would not only be false, but contrary to human nature for me to say I never doubted thee, but understand me \u2013 only such as those doubts I\u2019ve read a dozen times, in your sweet laughing eyes \u2013 those that go inevitably with sincerity and link themselves with our lives, until settled or dismissed by some positive means.<\/p>\n

Pardon me if I\u2019m acted too hurriedly, but since I first loved you well enough to get my own consent, \u201cto claim you as mine forever\u201d seems to me a little eternite.\u00a0 If I had only entertained my many thoughts and tender feelings for four months, then candidly I would have detained my serious confessions some time longer.<\/p>\n

Made Miss Ann Mary a visit this morning.\u00a0 Found her as gay and splashing as ever.\u00a0 Spoke very highly of you and Miss M., for truthfulness or to sound me I cannot say which.\u00a0 I was, as a matter of course, never so completely captivated by two young ladies in all my life.\u00a0 She had just finished a letter to both of you and gave me the pleasure and<\/p>\n

Page 2 March 13, 1866<\/p>\n

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priviledge of enclosing a blossom to each with the emblems.\u00a0 Says she gave you a description of my plowing a yoke of young oxen \u2013 laughable I suppose \u2013 Yes after deciding in mind, thought I\u2019d try the experiment as a last resort and when half the day was gone with breath, brains and everything else, I concluded that my fruits would be minus unless I had you to oversee.\u00a0 Have been sick since my last, but, well now except my headaches and forefinger, which is sore from a cut, am writing without the use of it and doing better than I first expected, even worse scratching than this would be preferable to neglecting on disappointing my \u201cDarling\u201d.\u00a0 Don\u2019t you think?<\/p>\n

Good for Tom.\u00a0 Am glad at his progress and if he is sincere with Miss Carrie, from my experience, I know his heart must beat happily.\u00a0 Her sincerity must not be questioned or she will say he is \u201ccruel to doubt me.\u201d\u00a0 I have great confidence in Tom as<\/p>\n

as a Lawyer or Lover and am satisfied he will wield the case as he chooses.<\/p>\n

Looking up at your letter which is before me, I see \u201cserenade\u201d and by the way I am having the good luck to hear one \u2013 any night I choose.\u00a0 Have a Danky \u201cFiddler\u201d and several little laughing and dancing \u201cToy blossoms\u201d who take it upon themselves when ever I feel inclined to listen.\u00a0 Hear the violin now but \u2018tis hardly so entertaining as Mr.<\/p>\n

Elwell, elastic mouth\u201d \u2013 can prove this by Miss. Mary.<\/p>\n

Am ahead of all of my neighbors (you know I have a great many) in gardening.\u00a0 Have Peas, Cabbage, Mustard, Radishes, and Onions up and growing nicely and by the time the overflow comes I\u2019ll have a real feast for it.\u00a0 Ma says I\u2019d make a \u201cfirst rate \u201cOld Bachelor\u201d.\u00a0 While I think of it, you may if you desire keep my scribbling from the flames since many falsehood have come to light.\u00a0 Would speak of and number them, if I had not promised positively otherwise, but this you know.\u00a0 As for any member of the F_ seeing them, I\u2019d enter not a single objection, notwithstanding they are sorry sights for show.\u00a0 \u201cThings\u201d of this nature are always frivolous and ridiculous to those uninterested since they subject me to some embarrassing thoughts and perhaps unnecessarily so.\u00a0 But I have tried enough not to become a member of any family without them knowing me in this way or any other.<\/p>\n

Your claims are always first and far superior to all others with me. \u00a0I can make it convenient to be present at any time in six days after the arrival of your letter appointing the day.\u00a0 I am aware of no great necessity of another visit, though crazy to see the idol of my soul.\u00a0 When is my promised photo?\u00a0 No matter what decision you make in regard to the form or manner of marriage, twill be entirely my desire of your will.\u00a0 Oh I\u2019m so happy at reading your sweet letter and learning your real feelings concerning happiness.\u00a0 Much love to all.<\/p>\n

I am unconditionally yours only<\/p>\n

Rupert<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The next letter I write shall be nicer than this if it requires 2 days.\u00a0 R<\/p>\n

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END OF DOCUMENT<\/strong><\/p>\n

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