What I find so endearing about these letters, is that they are so truly heartfelt. Glass was obviously educated, but not refined. He was about 26 years old when he courted Nellie, who was 22 at the time. She ran him around quite a bit, but this letter is one of the earliest of the bundle my mother-in-law left with us. It was the beginning of the courtship. He seems so nervous, so eager to impress, so anxious to know that his feelings are returned.
I wish that Glass had been as careful in saving Nellie's replies. I only have one side of this story, but, of course I know how it ended.
Things don't change much. I remember the same sort of nervous excitement when I first started dating my husband, and X was not even a twinkle in our eyes.
Postmark April 4, 1899
Orange Springs, Fla
April 4
Miss Nellie Lang
Ft. McCoy
Dear Miss Nellie
Please don’t think because I asked you to correspond with me that I can promise interesting letters because I fear you will be disappointed.
The weeks seem to me as though they get longer & to look forward to the Sunday coming seems an age & I think were it so I could get just a short missive from you between times it wouldn’t seem quite so long. I truly hope you won’t think I am asking to much of you when I beg for a few lines this week.
I found my way out the new road Sunday night OK & arrived home on time to attend church but felt as though I needed to sleep & soon found my self in the happy land of “nod”.
I didn’t know it was cold until I left you but I came near freezing, however it wasn’t so bad as having dreamed I was a fish & the flat woods was an Ocean.
I came near letting Mrs. Uptons axe get misplaced. You should come for it by all means this week because it wouldn’t do to loose it. Have you had anymore propositions to go driving!! Ha. Ha. Well the nickel is yours don’t forget it.
You know if I had enough cash I would propose to you that we buy a buggy on the installment plan. You furnish the money & I pay the installment & we own equal parts in the buggy. So long as you are accepting or rather getting proposals on going for a ride I’l make you this one & we can ride real lots then.
The top buggy. Gray horse & pretty girl. Your Father made inquiry of us about was Mr. Wimberly of this City & Miss Broughton. She would be considered I guess as one of Klondykes Fair Maidens as she live out from you on Citrus road about 3 miles.
Miss Nellie:: doubtless you’l be surprised when I state to you that I have not forgotten that you told me you could not give me your heart but would exchange it for mine. I know you thought I’d forget it but I didn’t – C – !!
Now you seem to think that mine is in several parts which I must admit that you have good reasons for thinking so, however let me assure you that I can easily get mine all in a lump when you can make up your mind to make the exchange.
Now Miss Nellie I feel that I am unworthy to make such an exchange with you as this; yet I beg of you to think the matter over where you can’t find any think else to think of. Then why should I wish to make such an exchange unless I could feel that I was getting something that I was unworthy of then I could feel the more proud of the exchange. This is why I can assure you that I am heart whole & fancy free & stand ready to make the exchange with you.
Now I’l tell you of the dance last eve.
I saw we couldn’t find enough young ladies to have a good dance so I proposed to take my harp & Guitar and play for them to waltz.
They were thoughtful enough to accept my proposition consequently I played until the end of my finger fell off.
The lady of the house was kind enough to play one waltz on Piano for me so I got to waltz. Just think of it only one time.
I wish you had been here Monday to help me eat Bananas. I fixed them Sunday am to take out with us on our drive Sunday aft noon & laid them & really I didn’t think of them until Monday when I saw the package tied up & an examination found it was the Bananas that belonged to you & I. I thought of you while eating them (and several times since) & ate one and a half for you.
I’l be on time Sunday, trusting that I’l have a letter from you ere that time.
I am your friend truly
W. Glass Meggs
P.S. Remember the nickle’s yours.
