Letter from a Virginia cousin to Ione Morgan in Louisiana

Marion Smyth County Va April 2 1876

My dear Cousin,

I thought that you owed me a letter but Lizzie says not. I ask your pardon for not answering your letter sooner. My dear cousin, Lizzie, told me of your troubles. I do sincerely sympathize with you, but we all have our trials and I think love scrapes are by far the most heart-breaking. I have had some experiances in such things myself, but the question is, ought we give way to our feelings? Ought not we willingly submit to our father's will? For nothing he does is to harm his children; every thing is for the best. Do you Cousin Onie, think it right to harbor revenge, malice, and hatred in your heart toward those who prevented your union with him you loved? Think how forgiving Jesus was and he everywhere admonishes us to do the same, you may some day have cause to bless them for that interference, when you have become happy [with] the love of another, then you will look back, and wonder how you ever could have loved any but your husband.

I will give you a little of my experiance about three years ago I had a good beau as smart as he could be and well educated, he "courted me." I knew that the family would never consent for me to marry him for though his morrals were good, yet his family was not of the same circle [as] mine and I myself thought that if I could not marry my equal I would live an old maid so "I declined." But cousin, it was a terrible struggle for me to make myself believe I did not love him and still worse to tell him so and every one now tells me I love him and sometimes I think I do but fortunately he has gone to California, so I live on in hope that I may yet like someone else better. I let the other boys wait on me and try to forget my troubles and I advise you to do the same for [it's] a splendid Antidote.

I fear cousin you think I ought not to write to you about this matter. I hope you will not be offended for I assure that none but the best intentions were exercised. Look above for help in this your great distress and God will enable you to stand all of the afflictions sent for your good. Again I ask you not to think hard of what I have said.

Marion is as dull as usual. We see nothing but books and boys quite a contrast. You will think yes but both alike are so common as to be considered monotinous by most of us no doubt. But they would become very indignant were they to know I said so, but it is true for all that. It is only about eight weeks until school is out and I shall be very glad, for I feel as though I could rest a while and feel invigorated very much. I only wish you could come to school here. I know you would enjoy it very much, the girls are all so gay happy and bright that it matters not who comes they must of necessity partake of the same spirit of mirth and glee to a greater or less extent. We snowball which is delightful fun especially with the boys which is quite seldom but that makes it all the better, for "variety is the spice of life."

I hope you will answer my letter very soon. I also hope you will try to be cheerful and Happy that is the best remedy for people in love. I have written this in such a hurry I hope if you should find mistakes either in orthography or in grammar you will excuse. Expecting to hear very soon I remain as ever your true and sympathizing Cousin

Minnie B. Sexton

This is my whole name Bettie Manerva, Sexton