Augusta: John D. Imboden to Annie Lockett, December
4, 1870
Summary:
Imboden complains that Annie has not written to him for several days. He then
explains his reasons for urging her to write and shares his thoughts on the
importance of marriage to a man's happiness. He suggests that he will return to
Virginia soon on "Company affairs."
Sunday night Dec r 4, 1870
N.Y.
My own darling-
If you are the dearest and sweetest little woman in the world don't you think I
am the most patient and kind hearted old gentleman of all your acquaintance?
Think of it, this is the fourth letter, at long
intervals, since I have had a reply to one of mine. Just three weeks ago to day
I parted from you, and that night wrote you from Keysville, and that is the only
letter to which I have recd. a reply. Couldn't you
have sent me a little note from Laurenceville? I wont
scold. I never scold, but if you could know with what avidity I read every word
you write me, and how anxiously I look forward always to hear from you, I am
sure you would admire my pa-
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tience and my philosophy.
My darling is all the world to me now. I love my children as dearly as any father
ever did, and they are as lovable, but there is in the human heart a capacity to
love that is not gratified by mere paternal affection. A large part of my life
has been one of the deepest and tenderest love for woman. I know how glorious it is to be master of a woman's whole heart, and to
feel that she is mistress of mine. Long years of the purest pleasure in that
holiest of all earthly relations husband of a true and noble woman, has taught
me that outside of it, there is little worth living for. When I first met you I
was almost indifferent to the world. I did not know that it any longer contained
any one whom I could love again, as I had loved in the past. Ere I had known you
three days, I saw that I had found a woman at whose feet I could lay my whole
heart, and then my anxiety was to know how I
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could win yours. You
know how earnestly I labored [deleted: the] to accomplish that result.
Providence favored my suit & you gave me your young & noble heart. Ever since I have felt how blest I am. I feel the pain of separation every day, I am sure more keenly than you, because the wreck of my happiness that has occured more than once in the past, has prepared me by a bitter experience, to appreciate the infinite pleasure of the Constant [added: presence of] [deleted: pleasure of loving] one's heart's idol. But as a certain period of separation is inevitable, I long to alleviate its pain as much as possible by frequent communication with you. And had you a daily mail I would write to you every night. Therefore you must pardon me for complaining a little at your long silence. When you are at home again, please, as you value my happiness, never let a mail leave without bringing to me a letter from you - a long sweet letter - or if that may not be, even a little note will be prized.
When you are my dear little wife I may spoil you, if petting can do it, for I feel that the debt of gratitude I owe you for making me so happy can never be paid off by all the endearments I can bestow on you.
This week I will probably know when I may expect to return to Virga. I expect Col Flournoy tomorrow. Indeed he may now be here, as I wrote urging him to come on yesterday, or as soon afterwards as possible. I suppose our company affairs will require me to spend some weeks of the winter in your County & Brunswick. If so where would you advise me to make my head quarters? especially to spend my Saturdays and Sundays? Do you know any pleasant place in Mecklenburg where I would sometimes be a welcome guest? I will be guided mainly by your advice.
I have not a line from sister Lou sisnce her first short & hasty note and not a word from Sis Ella - will quarrel with them.
With love to all, I am always yours
J.D. Imboden
