Pulaski VA 
Nov 17, 1896 
 
Miss Lydia 
My Dearest girl 
      It is with great pleasure I attempt to answer your kind letter received a few days a go     yes it would be much nicer for us to have a talk over this but I hardly see how I can come over rather you said as I am very busy at this time

      yes it will be cold about xmas times but as you say I guess we can stand it as you say if we wait until spring     we might never marry     there is only one trouble now & that is I have rented my house to Will Lowman107 for six months & was to have his and he has sold his six months from first of October + I expect we can rent rooms from Joe untill we

      can get our house     Yes I truly hope and as you have said pray we will be happy and I verrily believe we will be happy do     Do you want to have any waiters     as for me I think it would be better to have some but any way to suit you. I will write Rev Mr Kelley108 & see if he will come     I believe we have settled on haveing him to marry us he always said he would come any time we wanted him 
       I am truly glad my last letter caused you to love me more than you ever had. I believe I love you more and more every day. Well I received a letter from your Father giving his consent to our union     well we have that much more settled     he said in his letter it was a hard task to consider     not that he thought it a good

      opertunity but he hated to part with you     he also wished we both might be happy    It is going to be hard for me to get off to come over. if we could manage to make the arrangements without me comeing over would like to but if you think best will come     you see I am paid by the month and afraid most to be off so much will want off

      several day when we get married     well I have a bit of news Miss Willie Dobbins is to be married tomorrow to one by the name of M C New109      it seems like every body is going to get married dont it     I never herd of as much marrying as 
is going on with us. have you told your Father when we want to

      marry. I have not told the house folks any thing about it yet thought I would want untill I heard from your Father     I will tell them about first of of next month will be plenty of time then for them to do what they have to do     well I must close by asking you to write soon and tell me all about our case. 
Your true Boy Ell 
 
Ps 
has Lura found out anything yet     I know she will want to know we will have to have her for a waitress     well good by sweetheart and I want you to be wife & sweetheart all of the time