University of Virginia Library

Letter from Adelaide E. Case to Charles N. Tenney, February 13th, 1862

Art happy to night
my darling: I trust you are, and
comfortable too. It would seem almost
impossible to be comfortable this
cold night, but as I have been
riding all the afternoon.and
I feel the cold more for that.
Dora and I went to Claridon[1]
tuesday and returned to day.
We had a pleasant ride and
also visit, but my thoughts
would wander from my ride
and even from the beautiful

scenery twixt here and there
to the dearest of human beings
and I imagined, (rather strange
was it not darling!) that if Charlie
were with us that ----I should
enjoy myself a trifle better
Hallie is not at home to
night. How lonesome I get when
he is absent, but a short time.
Well it gives me a good opportunity
to write you which is a pleasant
substitute. I was passing through
the center of Colebrook[2] yesterday
and noticed an artists car. I
know not how else I could better
express my thanks for your kindness
in sending me your Mine Truly
than to send you my portrait,
therefore I will enclose it in
this.[3] If you enjoy the sight of it
as much as I do that of yours
I shall be trebly repaid for it
[4]I am obliged to resort to the

pencil to finish this for my pens I find are almost
worn out.
I believe I will make this a
news letter if I can find enough
to fill it for my muse is rather
dull, and I am somewhat tired.
Our sleighing has been home on
furlough of two or three days for
several times, still I have not
enjoyed it much. At present, there
is about three inches of snow
on the ground. The sleighing month
of here is very good.
There was a donation party for
Elder Higbee at his home last
evening. he recieved over forty
dollars, about two thirds of it
in coin. There have been several deaths
in town during the first two months
one lady died at the age of
eighteen. she was married when but
fourteen. how cruel it seems for

girls to marry so
young. I would much
rather go to war.

In New Lyme[5], a man hung
his wife last week or they
supposed that he did they
have been married but
three months and he
killed her, such is the
bliss of married life.
He is now awaiting his trial
Do you not think he "loved" that
one whom he vowed to protect and
cherish? I should dread to possess
his heart or conscience either.
But I am alone and the hour
is getting late therefore I am compelled
to bid you good night. You will
think this a poor apology for a letter I know you will You will
write soon and often will you not
dearest? Our Father in Heaven preserve
thee my darling and guide you near to Him