Submitted by: Michael
Scrape (From Matthew Hatchett, a descendant of Susan M. Scrape and
Samuel W. Hatchett)
Louisville, Kentucky
Aug. 14th 1852
Miss S. M. Scrape
After a fatiguing journey and one that
almost made me sick again, I arrived here last evening. After a good night rest;
I feel very much revived And taking a good look at your self I feel cheerful and
buoyant in spirits. I cannot feel otherwise when I look at that cheerful
and calm face of thine. I have met with some friends from Paris; Mr. Hicks
and Crutchfield who is a relative. We expect to travel together from this place.
I have complied with your request on my promise in writing to you from
Nashville. I was so tired When I arrived that I concluded to postpone the matter
until I arrived here; which together with the lateness of my arrival and the
early departure is a sufficient excuse. I calculate on leaving here tomorrow
morning and will not meet with another opportunity this side of New York. You
must not think hard of me for I assure you I would willingly write every day if
I had a chance to do so. You must write to me at Philadelphia a as soon as you
receive this
and give me all the news in regard to yourself, and inform me whether Mr. Butler
and Miss Louisa are married and what about it. __ direct your letters to the
care of Atwood Ho; so I may get them without deficiently.
Give my best respects your family and Sarah particularly. Now dear Susan you
must be cheerful as possible and endeavor pass the time with as much comfort and
lightness of spirits as possible. You know not how often I have thought of you
since I left and how I wished for your presence, but I hope greater will be the
enjoyment when we meet again. I am tired and nervous from a hard days work and
hope you will excuse bad writing composition in a word the entire letter and I
promise you faithfully to amend in future and you know that I am a person that
makes no promises that I do not endeavor to fulfill.
Susan in conclusion I feel that if I only had one look at you this evening I
could go the balance of my trip with out a murmur, but as it is I dread the task
I have before me, but I will endeavor to discharge it with as much
accuracy as I can and under the circumstances write to me at Philadelphia
without fail, and write without reserve. Tell all your tired misgivings on a
word every thing that bears heavily one thy heart I wish to know all that I may
share it with thee though away.
I am thine only dearest.
S. W. Hatchett
