Transcription
Cerro Gordo
Sept. 22nd, 1870
Dear Frances,
Your kind favor of Aug. 29th is received. I am very glad to hear from you and that you are well.
I am pleased to find that times are lively at Frenchtown and it is a good sign for the future of the place that so many have, or are about to, get married. You forgot to tell me the names of the parties at or near Frenchtown. You see, for ought I could know, you might be one of the parties and then, if so, I would be [illegible, debarred?] from offering my congratulations, or also of not being aware of the same. In order to get even I ought to close now, for I am sure your last favor was a very short one, and it would take several of them to get…
I know you will be pleased to learn that I have not had much time since I wrote you last to indulge in the luxury of wearing that long phisog—have all I can attend to getting the smelting work completed.
Well, dear Fanny, you say you are really sorry for one that has not got the perseverance enough to find the small claim that would suit him. That really is some consolation, and reminds me of the case of a friend of mine. I will tell you about it.
Mr. William L. Hunter was Major in the Confederate service. At the close of the war he came out to California, arriving at this place some two months after I did, leaving (as he thought) a bona fide and interesting claim in old Virginia behind him. Once a week was hardly often enough to correspond, until a few scratches of the pen caused a difference that was final. But Mr. Hunter was preserving and soon it was another, near the same place, that was worse and more of it.
Carte de visite came and went fast. Our friend was excited and very anxious to go home on a visit. He was fortunate to find a tolerable good vein, and sometimes when he would wake up at night he was so anxious to see the original he would have to look at the likeness. At last fortune favored him, and he left some months ago with about $2,500, leaving a good interest here.
On his arrival home he found that, notwithstanding all his anxiety about the same, he found that others had as good or better right than he had, and that it was rather one sided affair. And like a good many others was too proud to only possess a part, and of course must find another. And at latest dates had not really found another but had some hopes. Now he may expend all he can raise and then come back [illegible]. And if that is a [illegible, criterion?] to go by in the first place, where is one to find $2,500 and take the desperate chances of being badly [illegible, wasted?] as he has been.
If I thought that this would not be enough to try your patience reading, I would write more.
Hoping that this will find you well and happy. My regards to all.
Truly your friend,
J. L. Porter