Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1854-03-13
A Love Letter a Hundred Years
Ago.

A Love Letter a Hundred Years
Ago.
An antiquarian friend has shown us
(says the Biearre) very brown old
letter on the paper and in the cramped chi
Biography of the period of hundred years
ago-the body of which letter we here
cory literally for our readers. Whether al
is the origlnalletter, or copy from it, or
copy from some published work, we
are unable TO say. But the paper and
writing before lis are certainly century
old Tho | never had the Happiness 10
see you, no, not so much as in a picture,
and Consequently can no more tell what
Complexion you are of, than he that
lives in the Remotest part Of China yet,
Madam, Pm fallen passionately in love
with you and this affection has taken
So deep Root in me, that in my Con-
science | will die Martyr for you, with
as much Alacrity as Thousands have
done for their Relis ion, tho they knew
as little Of truth for which they died, as
| do of your Ladyship. This may SUR
prise you, Madam: but you'll cease to
wonder, when shall inform you what it
was that not only gave birth to my pas
sion but SO EfIectually Confirm it. Last
week riding into the Country about my
lawful affairs, it was my fortune to see
a most Magnificent Seat upon the Road !:
this Excited my Curiosity to enquire at-
ter the Owner Of so Beautiful Pile /;
and being inform'd it belonged to your
Ladyship, began that very Moment to
have strange inclination for you but
l was farther informed, that two Thou
sand acres of the best land in England
belong d TO this Noble Fabrick, together
with a fine Park, Variety of Fish Ponds,
and such like Conveniences. | fell then
up to the Ears in love, and submitted to
a Power which | coild not Resist
Thought to myself, the Owner of so
ma ny agreeable things Must needs be
be the most Charming Lady in the Uni-
verse what tho she be old, her trees
are green. What tho she has lost al
the Roses in her Cheeks, She has enough
in her gardens. With these thoughts |
lighted from my horse, and on sudden
fell SO enalnohred with your Ladyshir
that told my Passion to every tree ir
your park; which by the by are the
Tallest, Straightest, loveliest, finest
shap' d trees l ever Saw and have since
were out about Dozen Penknives il
Engraving your Name upon 'em. will
appeal 10 your Ladyship, whether any
lover ever wentupo more Solid Motives
than my self. Those that chuse Mis-
tress wholly for her Beauty, will infalli-
bly, find their passion to Decay with that
those that pretend to admire Woman
for the qualities of her mind, are guilty
of Piece of Pagan superstition, long
since worn thread bare by Potato ant
his Disciples for he that loves not fai,
Lady for her form as well as her Spirit
is only fit, in my opinion, to make hi:
Court to Spectre ] whereas, of my
Passion, which is built on the same foun-
dation with your house, grows with your
trees, and will dayly increase with your
Estate. For all know to the Cont fary
your Ladyshir may be the handsomest
woman in the world but whether you
are or no, signifies not farthing, while
you have money Enough to set you off
tho you were tentimes more forbiddine
than the Present Red nose Countess OF
and ten times older than the famous
Countess of Desmond. | am a soldier
by my Profession; and as | Fought for
pay, so with Heavens blessing / De-
sign to love for pay. All your Other
>uitors would speak the same language
to you, were they as honest as myself
this [ will tell you, for your Comfort
Madam, that if you pitch upon me, you'll
be the FIRST Widow upon record, from the
creation of the world to this present
hour, that ever Chose man for telling
her the truth. ] am your most passion.
ate, etc."