Valley Personal Papers


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Bibliographic Information | Original Version

Augusta County: Mary Anna Sibert to David H. Evans, June 2, 1866

Summary:
Sibert thanks Evans for sending flowers and muses on the impermanence of even beautiful things.


June 2, / '66.

Cottage by the Lake

Mr. D.H. Evans,

I can scarcely thank you sufficiently for the exquisite bouquet you sent me. It would give me more pleasure to acknowledge in person the sincerity of my thanks, & [unclear: tender] appreciation with which I received, & will keep this [illeg.], but beautiful, & expressive token of your valued remembrance. I cannot decide which I most admire, its [illeg.] fragrance, the rich variety of its hues

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or the artistic arrangement of the entire collection. All are alike admired, & enjoyed as a gift from you I love flowers, but [unclear: more] especially when they come to me culled, & arranged by esteemed hands. With the beauty & fragrance of your gift, there came a regret resting like a blot upon each flower, & bud, a regret that its loveliness will so soon perish, that I cannot keep it always fresh, & blooming as now. The faded remains, & remembrance

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shall be mine, pointing back in future years to the bright days when I enjoyed your friendship. May the pathway that God has marked for you to tread bloom with flowers of unfading beauty, & happiness. And may the fair & tender hands of her you select as your wife gather for you flowers without thorns & lead you onward to Heaven.

Very truly
Your friend

Mary A. Sibert



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