University of Virginia Library

Letter from Adelaide E. Case to Charles N. Tenney, After School May 27th, 1862

school has closed and I have again
read over your letters of the 9th & 11th Charlie, yours is a
noble spirit. just such as one as I would wish you to
have. You havesuffured, dear, I know you have, yet with
me I would have you call on God to bless your
friends. Friends by blood, if nothing more, But darling
I know these words will but pain you therefore will
change the subject. How aspirant you are dearest. I
too feel that you will win laurels. Laurels that any
one would be forward to wear.

You ask do I ever get tired, and wish those children
would be quiet? Yes I often get tired, but as a general
thing my scholars are quite orderly. In fact as much
so as I could expect. I have two more scholars this
week and I can see they have been to

You also ask if I have punished any yet. I have
one scholar. John. Halderman. I accidentally heard
him swearing one day and called him in. and told
him he could remain with me after school.,, Heseem-
ed pleased at the as he called it; and remained
after the scholars had left. I went to my desk, tooke
out myBeibl turned to the 20th Chap. of Exodus 7th verse
and asked him to read it to me. He did so and burst
into tears. said he Charlie I was not ashamed
of the tears that fell and mingled with his. He afterward
told me that he expected I would try to whip him and
he did not intend to let me. He is fourteen years of
age, I think. I have not a better scholar in school than he
has since been. Dont you admire my government?
How very kind Mr s Ostorm was to you darling. I shall
ever bless her for that act. Hers, must be a noble
heart, and her son too, is he as good as his mother?

You noticed my request in regard to your portrait
and ask me what size I wish. I am not particular
any size to suit yourself I want a perfect one just as
me. I quickly recognized our native

and
but they were never the less thankfully received because
the were like our own loved flowers, for did not Charlie
send them to me, and are they not a lovely token of the
love he bo**s me?

I have just read over the letter I wrote you yesterday.
and this morning. and have some scruples about sending
it. I do not know what caused me to write as I did
but my brain was sadly perplexed and I wrote the
thoughts that came from my heart. Just so I should
have felt all day had I not recieved your letters this
morning; But darling I must go or I shall lose my
supper.