{"id":8998,"date":"2023-04-04T22:00:58","date_gmt":"2023-04-04T22:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/library\/?page_id=8998"},"modified":"2023-04-04T22:00:58","modified_gmt":"2023-04-04T22:00:58","slug":"j-r-baird-collection-3-20-1866","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/library\/j-r-baird-collection-3-20-1866\/","title":{"rendered":"J.R. Baird Collection – 3\/20\/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 20, 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=”1680645522003-1″ tab_id=”1680645522003-2″] [\/page_link][page_link link_url=”https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/library\/guides-to-the-collection-page\/” title=”Collections Portal<\/strong>” id=”1680645522011-9″ tab_id=”1680645522011-8″] [\/page_link][page_link title=”Visit<\/strong>” id=”1680645530226-4″ tab_id=”1680645530227-5″ link_url=”https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/library\/departments\/archives-museum\/visit\/”][\/page_link][page_link title=”Make a Request<\/strong>” id=”1680645531131-8″ tab_id=”1680645531132-4″ link_url=” https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/library\/departments\/archives-museum\/requests\/”][\/page_link][page_link title=” About Us<\/strong>” id=”1680645531815-1″ tab_id=”1680645531816-1″ link_url=”https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/library\/departments-archives-museum-about-us\/”][\/page_link][page_link title=”Yearbooks Online<\/strong>” id=”1680645532507-7″ tab_id=”1680645532508-9″ 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: 2.9.2006\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

Beauty’s Retreat<\/p>\n

March 20, 1866<\/p>\n

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Dear Nannie:<\/p>\n

Another long, long week has almost gone and tis nearly time for another \u201csweet messenger\u201d to cheer my lonesome lot, making for awhile my log cabin a splendid palace.\u00a0 You need never fear my trying your patience by deferring one of my notes, the interest of which is the only real profit of my life and so far they have never failed to make me a hundred per cent better off, both in sense and principle.\u00a0 Besides all this, the dread alone of your trying a similar remedy upon mine, would make my fond heart not only trouble for the consequence, but too cowardly to act.<\/p>\n

Knowing your extreme fondness to attend church, I cannot class your \u201cpreference to write to me\u201d simply a compliment, but a stinking mark of \u201cwoman\u2019s constant love.\u201d\u00a0 No indeed I have no objection whatever, (except I do not get one for every Sunday) though by some, with much more piety than myself, it may be considered wrong.\u00a0 But religion is happiness; your letters give me happiness therefore make me religious and to make others so, is equal to being so yourself, hence tis a good act, please continue it.\u00a0 A very convenient syllogism this.\u00a0 The sadness of your Father\u2019s family, is easily imagined, from that experienced by mine, which I naturally suppose is even less, as a son is more independent than a daughter.\u00a0 Ask their endeavors to dismiss those gloomy, heartrending thoughts Our Creator designed, that we should at some time leave our Parents.\u00a0 We are both sincere, neither too young and I can see no earthly reason why we cannot be as happy and contented as any couple living, do you?\u00a0 I know we can be, and trust will be.\u00a0 Positively, my heart is entirely fixed upon you now and to form decisions or conclusions different at this date would wreck my life\u2019s happiness forever.\u00a0 So you can plainly read, how delighted I must have been, with decisions perfectly satisfactorily.\u00a0 Give the, (the family) again the assurance that even energy shall be give to aims for the completion of your joy and contentment, that I love you better than tis possible for them, that no pleasure or gratification within my power shall be denied and better than all this; as you expressed it \u201cwe will make them double blessed by both loving them more than ever.\u201d\u00a0 Heaven bless and reward a parents\u2019 love.\u00a0 How lamentable it is, we never appreciate their unalloyed affection until too late.\u00a0 It sometimes appears to me that tis a rash, ungrateful step for me to get married.\u00a0 That my life properly ought to be devoted to them, for the care and kindness they have heaped upon me.\u00a0 But then comes stronger arguments, outweighing all and I cling more closely than ever to my \u201cDarling\u201d ever first and fondest.\u00a0 Tis unnatural and a pleasure they would deny undoubtedly, in order to obtain such a magnificent addition as yourself.<\/p>\n

Pas has just returned from the boat and brings me no letter from you.\u00a0 Knowing that my life is stimulated always by your favors, \u201ctis cruel\u201d to torment one in this way, but very well if you wish to kill me, go ahead.\u00a0 Have nothing to dispel my \u201cpensive feelings\u201d this week can only;<\/p>\n

Page Two March 20, 1866<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSigh at fate and sing woe\u2019s me\u201d<\/p>\n

This sounds a little like injustice to you, after your great kindness and punctually, but believe me, it is not thus meant.\u00a0 I fully appreciate your \u201cloving kindness,\u201d therefore will not be selfish in the least, but write every trip, as long as tis a pleasure to peruse this scratching, whether yours arrives or not.\u00a0 (unless they stay too long).\u00a0 A letter from the Dr. to Pa came this evening, which I read as eagerly as tho\u2019 from you and seeing your name alone was a moments sweet.\u00a0 His gave me genuine delight telling of his improvement in health, do ardently hope it will continue, until he is himself again, hale and hearty.\u00a0 Am both proud and happy to feel that he has confidence in me.\u00a0 Ma and Pa both sick today.\u00a0 They think of leaving very shortly.\u00a0 I expect will go as well.\u00a0 My health since deserting my team, has grown somewhat better.\u00a0 Mrs. Murphy has measles and is quite unwell.\u00a0 Our Swamp remains unchanged, as the \u201cbright eyes\u201d are missing still.<\/p>\n

All are glad to be remembered and tender much respect<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Love to Miss M and others<\/p>\n

Very affectionately yours<\/p>\n

Until otherwise,<\/p>\n

Rupert<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

P.S.<\/p>\n

The Dr.\u2019s letter spoke also of your expecting to see me.\u00a0 Have never sent a letter to that effect.\u00a0 I wrote in my last that I was not aware of the necessity of my coming, but if absolutely so, I can, tho\u2019 I\u2019ve commenced planting and am quite busy just now.<\/p>\n

Write often.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Devotedly &c<\/p>\n

R.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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