Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-04-11
LETTER TO MRS NCF1PLAND

The following is the intercepted letter from
Mr.. Richardson to Mrs. Mcfarland mention
ed in the trial now going on. 1t was written
several weeks after Mr.. and Mrs. Mcfarland
had separated:
MARCH 8, 1867, $50 P. NJ.
l received two hours ago, darling, yours of
yesterday. At noon I mailed you the AT
lantc" for March, to No. ~ This send in
care of Mrs s., hoping that you NAV get it
tomorrow. Don't be disturbed about your
family, little girl. Families always respect
accomplished tacts,-(my hobby, you know
i once outraged mine great deal more
than you ever can yours, and they are of the
straitest sect of Puritans; but time made it all
correct. SO you can't go to Mrs. Mes till
Monday, and couldn't have my room? Be
patient, little girl, and you shall have to give,
not take orders about my room. Funny
about Lille and the young lady am engaged
to. 1t only confirms my theory, that you and
Molie are tirst-class intriguers. Will order
your scrap-book on Monday. Learn all YOU
can about the material and contents of the
new book within the next few weeks, for we
may want to announce it in my book. Please
remember that it ought to have plenty of hui
NOR and that it must have some horrors.
If you reeoil from them you shall not do
them. Darling, l smiled at my being pin
ing" and ''hurt;' why, am like the man
who has got rid of his elephant weigh 25S
and am lighter hearted than have been for
years; indeed feel las if a weight had been
lifted from me even before your sweet love
came to sweeten and bless my life" All the
trouble was that she thought she could not
let me go. Long ago when she and | first
came together, l said to her--'.We will make
no VOWS to love each other always; of that
we cannot tell. l will only exact that you
tell me the perfect truth, whether it keeps us
together or separates us. God helping me, |
will" She tried to, but the leopard could
not change its spots, and she did her best and
and was very tender and have nothing in
the world to complain of. If you had not
come to me- little girl, it would have made no
difference then: that scene was ended long
sgo. 1t will rather startle Mrs. S.. won't it
darling? l think she will like it in the end.
Rosie's letter is very graceful add kind and
am very glad You go, for it will do YOU very
much good it is great breezy, restful place.
What gosie it is about my coming home.
Of course | shall come whenever my business
compels or will let me.
What judgment shall you fear. doing no
wrong? The circumstances make it right and
unr oticeable, and l will not stay away for
40 600 Mrs. Grundrys. l will not neglect my
work to come, but it is quite possible may
have to come next week. l have not been
waiting for you, darling all these long years
to wear haircloth and serve seven years
now. l want you always-a hundred times a
day. Ny arms seem to stretch out toward
you. l never seek my pillow without want
ing to fold you to my heart for good night
kiss and blessing, and the few months before
you can openly be mine will be long enough
at the best. No grass shall grow under my
feet, but l never let public opinion bully me
a bit, and never mean to. So, sunbeam, l
shall come whenever | can, and stay as long
as my business will permit. l will decide
about summer just as soon as | can. darling
can probably surmise by Monday or Tuesday.
Darling, l should be afraid if you had fas-
cinated me in day or a week.
The trees which you grow in an hour have
no deep roots. Ours. believe to be no love
of MONDAY hour, but for all time. Only
one love ever grew so slowly into my heart
as yours has, and that was so tender and
| blessed that heaven needed and took-it. My
darling. you are all l would have, you are ex.
actly what would have you in mind, body
and estate, and my tired heart finds in you
| infinite rest and riches and sweetness. Good
night, my love, my own, my wife. Burn
this, will you not?
The letter is post marked Hartford. Conn,
March 9th, and is addressed ''Mrs. A. S. Me-
Farland. care OF Samuel Sinclair, Esq, Trib-
une office. New York city" The seal bore
the initials "A. d. r."