Mary Shubrick Horry

My Dear Mary,

Yours of so visit to hand [makes no sense] and I am so glad to hear from you, for surely it has been so long a time since I have heard anything of Heyward that I though perhaps your engagement may be broken off several times. Lately I have asked Lila about it. She has never answered me.

Yes, I am here now and intend to make M [Memphis] my home. This moving is not a good thing and sets one back terribly. I am nearer home asside from that have gained nothing except a little rest and 12 pounds of flesh now weigh 138 1/2, the most I have weighed for five years.

My present life is a very lonely one but it will not last long otherwise [I] am very comfortable at the boarding place, good kind people only. I wish I were living cheaper this way of spending all I make is a miserable selfish way of living and am very anxious to be sending my usual amounts home. There are many girls all over the country who are waiting as you are doing and some have waited for years until a house was made for them. One thing I liked about Omaha was the fact of its being an easier place to make a home. They have a big idea of doing things here and it makes a poor young man feel at times hopeless. N.C. sometimes speaks of our getting a home but his ideas of things are entirely too big. He would never be content [I] am afraid in a house that our means would allow the most of our Southern young people want to commense just were [where] their Parents left off. Now I am not taking this for granted but have heard some people talk since I have been here. No doubt you have set me down for a confirmed Yankee well I must admit that my trip south has opened my eyes and it would do many of us good to take a few years in a cold climate.

Please give much love to all over the way. I know and feel how worried you all must be over Cousin William. The good old gentleman is much loved by us all.

Write me whenever you have the time and inclination.

Your affect[ionate] Brother

P.S. Hope by the time you are in need of help that my means will be more than at this writing. You don't know what sweet loving letters I get from L. She is a treasure and so sensible.

Miss MARY S. HORRY
c/o Revrd A. W. LAMAR
No. 2210 Avenue 1
Galveston, Texas

30th May 1892
My Dear Daughter

You do not know what a relief it was to me to hear of your safe arrival at Galveston. I felt afraid of your warm welcome when once with your AUNT and her family but the long journey by your self was enough to detur most people.

I have taken a long time to write to you. I had intended writing last Sunday but was far from well (not with the Gripe) having imprudently eaten what disagreed with me, but I am now well again, and must not let today pass without writing although the house is as is often the case full of company, to commence with LILA and DAISY are here and have been for the last week. Last evening GUY made his appearance [p.2] on a Bycicle, having come from Savannah by R. R. as far as Hardeville and from thence here on his Bycicle which was the first one that your Aunt had ever seen. At night Robbie Giguilliat and Norton Oemler made their appearance and then when we were at breakfast Charlie Young and his Camera came in also. HAL (sp?) did not come this Sunday nor did I entreat him.

Things go on here as usual except that I miss both yourself and BESSIE and SHORTBANK, but I must get used to these seperations. I never expect to have my children all with me again nor have I a home of my own for them. This is all of the past. I got a letter a few days ago from ELIAS in which he mentioned that he was again with Hill & Young and at better wages $13.50 a week in the place of $9.00 at Shiverick's. ELIAS seem a little more hopeful of late. It is time for us to have some change for the better. We have already got far down in finances.

My garden is now looking well and our vegetables are now coming in which is a great help. My cantelopes are now commencing to appear on the vines but cannot be expected on the table for 4 weeks yet. Johny's patch is supplying as yet most of the vegetables, but mine will take up the business very soon. I have a yet only given some Liman wax beens, everything is with me clean and in nice order.

I know that you have had several letters from home which must have given you all the news that was stirring so will not write more. Do give my love to your AUNT and the rest of the family.

Your Affectionate Father