[Letter from John C. Brewer to Emma Davis, April 23, 1879] Page: 3 of 6 (Transcription)

Miss Sallie, over to some other person, but I had the pleasure of escorting her to singing Sunday Night, had a nice time. But let's correct an error of yours. Miss Mollie does not belong to me, but I intend she shall some day, provided some one writes or tells me there is no more hope, nor any use waiting longer.

But that is a long way in the future, for "as long as there is life, there is hope." I don't understand the meaning of the forsaken "ones," or "it don't matter if some other feller does get ahead of you, it don't spell excell or excelled either." Please explain, if possible. I hope -----is all right and that all will be made plain.

I guess he had been teaching some of those little "shavers" the road to knowledge, and was out of "sorts." I tried it once, and it will make anyone out of "sorts," or mad even. Emma, I can remember of making no requests in my last letter, but will do as you bid me. The General commands, the Soldier obeys. A Lady requests, a Gentleman complies.

I suppose from what you wrote Bettie thinks her case hopeless, or don't care, more likely. But I don't think