22 October 1863: “…for consolation I can only give you your elder brother’s maxim of ‘Try somebody else.’”

Item Description:  Letter dated 22 October 1863, from Roulhac to Willie, recounting details of Willie’s failed attempt at elopement.  Roulhac also asks Willie to attend to “some business” regarding his boots.

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Item Citation:  Letter dated 22 October 1863, found in folder 86 of the Ruffin, Roulhac, and Hamilton Family #643, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item Transcription:

Weldon N.C.
Oct 22nd 1863

My dear Willie

At last my dear boy I find myself at leisure to write to you. I will not give you any excuse for not replying to your letter which I recd in Virginia because you know how busy I have been + then you know I have been home + seen you but still I felt myself bound to write to you for I could not let such a nice letter go by without a reply because I earnestly wished to be similarly entertained again + that my dear little blubber very often. I understand that you + Miss Carrie attempted an elopement the other night, your plan I heard was for Miss Carrie to let herself out of the window by a rope + meet you at the ground, all succeeded very well I understand that far but when she got to the ground her joy was so great that she fell into your open arms + screamed aloud for very joy which screaming awoke the ever faithful canine guard ..Miss Maria of the Factory + as you attempted to run out of the gate or as you were climbing the fence, Miss Maria caught you both by the coattails. I understand also that at the convocation of the Faculty of the Factory you were sentenced to be beaten with pillows for two hours + she to kiss you every five minutes during the operation.  Such an unsuccessful + unhappy termination de votre amour, grieved me exceedingly + for consolation I can only give you your elder brother’s maxim of “Try somebody else.”

I have some business Willie which I wish you would attend to for me, before I left Hillsboro I engaged Parks to make me a pr of boots which I wish you would see if he has done if not I wish you would gag him until he does + make him do them quick for I need them as soon as they are done. Write to me + let me know, if you have an opportunity, send them by individual, if not send them immediately by Express. Give my best love to all at home + to my Duck, kiss Sophie Manly for me + tell her I love her like hot cakes which are awful to behold. Give my love to the Floridan + tell every body to write to me. Tell John Song + Cunningham they both owe me a letter + I am looking for one daily.

Study hard + write often to your fond Brother

Yours,
Roulhac

 
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