Mrs. Agatha Walker
care of John Van Cott
Great Salt Lake City
Utah
San F., Cal.y. June 24th, 1852
Dear A. . . ,
I received a letter from you, dated June, –51. And another dated April 1st, ’52 (in May, none). These two all, since we parted. The first was full of the warmest affection, and glowed with the traces of life and soul. The other was writen, as you say, when you did not feel like writing; and in so abscent a mood that you like to have forgoten to mention to an abscent husband and father, the birth of a daughter.
And delayed writing till the last half hour before the mail started. But promised to do better next time.
Next time, viz: May 1st – none from you came to hand.
The first complained of the long tedious hours of loneliness, (three months). The other did not say much how time passed (10 months).
The first was nearly all taken up in feelings of the heart, and pouring fourth its sweetest strains of heavenly affection. the last, in apologies for not feeling like writing, and in good common place news.
The first regreted my abscence, and hoped a spedy return. The second mearly expressed a hope that I might return in April, ’53.
I am thankful for both of them, but am left to conjecture, as to the means which has affected so great a change. You say you was not sick.
Well, probably time and long abscence has rendered me almost unworthy of a thought. In both your letters I am greatful for frankness, and an honest expression of “feeling”, or, of its abscence.
If I could know the cause of the change, I would remove it so far as in my power. Tell me what you wish, and I will grant it if posable.
Be assured I have not changed towards you, nor could I wait 10 months, and then say I did not feel like writing to you, for this is the greatest pleasure of my life when abscent.
O A—, where art thou? – Where that warm glowing, heavenly, life giving, soul moving deity within you? – Where that intilectual infinitude of thought and feeling and affection? – Is it dead? – No – It never dies. – Has it fled in grief far away from that pure bosom, to return no more? No. Nor, shall it ever.
Does it lay for a moment buried under the weight of care and sorrow in the profound depths of that bosom which is dearer to me than my own hearts blood, and which ever beat in unison with my own? Yes – Then it is, in all its plenitude of eternal atributes. These lines, and the spirit which accompinies them shall draw it out.
It shall burst its bonds and again flow in heavenly harmony; in lines [page break] of soul stiring comfort, and of love to a lone pilgrim.
With these thoughts I am comforted, even now. And soon we will meet face to face and kindle a fulness of spirit, joy and gladness, such as none but kindred spirits know.
Just give una mui buana dulce Besita a los Ninas, Agacita, Malonila e Marionita para me. Yo los anno mucho. Yo Anne V. tambien con toda me Alma, y Con todo me Corrazin.
Tel Aga not to forget to say “Am”. If she does I shall not know her. My love to the ninos and their mothers and to all the family. Adios.
Phebe and Elizebeth would send their love, but they are not here with me. They are at work. One in San Jose and the other in the mission 2 ms. from town. I wander where ever I can find a lodging, or a dinner. We are all kindly treated. Br. Allen is at work above Sacramento for 100 dol. per month. Elizebeth is sick.
I wrote to the family and to the President last mail. Let no person write to me after the mail of August first. I hope to receive a letter from you when the mail of June first arives. If I do not I shall feel disappointed much.
Late news from Brs. Wandall and Murdock in Sidney Australia informs us of a great work in the Gospel in that place. hundreds baptized.
I unite this mail a long letter to the family. Fare well, I have not another minute.
Yours forever,
P.
[Transcribed by Walt Morrell, Mauri Pratt and Suzanne Taysom, Jan. 2014]
Parley Parker Pratt to Agatha Ann Walker, transcribed letter, 24 June 1852; MS 278, online images, Church History Catalog, Ann Agatha W. Pratt Reminiscences and Letters, 1847-1907 (https://dcms.lds.org/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE2090355&usedforsort=MS_278_f0001 : January 2014), p. 18; Church History Library, Salt Lake City.