I do not remember of ever in my life being more glad to see any person.

He had brought a letter from home, from my father, and some Confederate old issue bonds, which I was mighty glad to get, and also a letter from "the gal I left behind me," enclosing a rosebud and two apple blossoms, resting on an arbor vita leaf, and this on a little piece of white paper, and on this was written a motto (which I will have to tell for the young folks), "Receive me, such as I am; would that I were of more use for your sake.

Jennie." Now, that was the bouquet part.

I would not like to tell you what was in that letter, but I read that letter over five hundred times, and remember it today.
I think I can repeat the poetry _verbatim et literatim_, and will do so, gentle reader, if you don't laugh at me.

I'm married now, and only write from memory, and never in my life have I read it in book or paper, and only in that letter-- "I love you, O, how dearly, Words too faintly but express; This heart beats too sincerely, E'er in life to love you less; No, my fancy never ranges, Hopes like mine, can never soar; If the love I cherish, changes, 'Twill only be to love you more." Now, fair and gentle reader, this was the poetry, and you see for yourself that there was no "shenanigan" in that letter; and if a fellow "went back" on that sort of a letter, he would strike his "mammy." And then the letter wound up with "May God shield and protect you, and prepare you for whatever is in store for you, is the sincere prayer of Jennie." You may be sure that I felt good and happy, indeed.
MY FRIENDS Reader mine, in writing these rapid and imperfect recollections, I find that should I attempt to write up all the details that I would not only weary you, but that these memoirs would soon become monotonous and uninteresting.