Ixtlahuaca, Mexico, Aug. 27/82

My Dear Mother. –

I am again neglectful this week for I should have written two or three days ago.  Am also anxiously looking for some word from home.  Rindy told me that Eliza S. Slade was going to be married on the 24th inst. Now she was married last Thursday according to this but Rindy did not tell me who was going to marry her.  Have forgotten the young man’s name whome she was keeping company with when I left home; but wish her a hat full of happiness all the same whoever has got her – he’s got a prize.

Miss Mantel too, has taken wings by this time I suppose.  How is it?  The shining lights of “maidenhood” are gone.  Mr Sittle has got a genuine “mantle this time of which the elections cannot rob him.

Where did Eliza hold her reception or where did she get married from?  Were you at the wedding, Ma, or did you find time to go?  I’ll tell you, Ma, am almost afraid all the girls will be married off before I come home.  Even if they are not I stand such a blessed little show, am inclined to think it will do me no good, however, Mother, you needn’t speak for me to any, for I should hate to be disapointed am satisfied by the way that my suroundings have acted upon me here, that I shall be so thoroughly Mexicanized by the time I get permission to come home, that my vere appearance will be sufficient to scare the gizzard out of any girl; and, Ma, you must not wear your specs when you look at me in that day; there probably will be sufficient light coming from my whiskers to enable you to see my face clearly.

To light a candle at night is almost unnecessary on my account.  Who knows but what that “

[page break]

“rainbow” I saw at night a short time ago was the reflection?  There is nothing like having light about you.  This may be caused by smy <ones> suroundings, there is so much alcohol, cayenne pepper, <here> and the people have been said to to be able to swallow a tortch light procession” and of course one partake more or less of the nature <of those> around him.  Proverb No 2- There is nothing like studying human nature.

No. 3 – And nothing so warming in its nature as the swallowing of a tortch light procession.  Scalium – No 1- “Ask” the flaim “and she will tell you.”

No doubt you perceive I am studying mathematics.  But I ain’t all are solid proverbs, except the “scalium”.  Well, Mother, try and call in the ramblings of this letter.  I cannot think of any thing streight for I have to turn the English to “to pay twenty to get hold of the Spanish construction and I find it is very hard indeed for me. Have to undo my way of thinking and my, way of speaking, and I suppose that it is possible for others have learned to upset themselves f before today.  And if I try real hard maybe I can keel over too. Hoping and praying that you are well and that you have got over your lameness, and that all the rest are well and that Samy and Orlon and Ray and Roy and Ruby and Pearl, your young family and my dear little brothers and sisters are good and obeidant and that Aunt Maggie and Rindy and Willard and all my friends and relatives are blessed and favored of the Lord I say good buy to my faithful dear Mother, and sign myself free affectionate and loving son.  Milson.

P.S.  By the looks of this it would appear that my whiskers did not shed sufficient light for me <to write.>  M.

Return to Histories of Milson Ross Pratt