My Darling Wife

A while back, I was at a local flea market, and I chanced upon a stack of ephemera. I think it cost about $12 for the whole pile. Later, I began going through it and realized it was letters and diaries from a family in Maine, including wedding photos and sundries like old sewing needles.

The earliest letter dates from 1893. It is a letter from a Mr. Harry Taggart, who was living in Meriden, Connecticut. His wife was apparently residing in Saco, Maine at the time and I'll leave it to you to piece together why they were apart.

Having nothing better to do on a hazy Friday afternoon, I decided to scan it in and share it with you all. The transcription follows:

Adam Orr
Dealer in
Prime Meats, Poultry, Game, Hams, Vegetables, Etc.
8 Colony Street

Meriden, Conn. ___16th Febry, 1983

My Darling Wife,

You see by the date when I started to answer your letter -- well, that was yesterday, and that was all the length I got. David Milne came in and stayed till about supper time and that settled the letter writing business for that day. Mr. Orr had some company to supper, so I saw it was of no use to try and get a letter posted to you last night, and as it is only shortly after seven A.M. I can write you without much disturbance.

By the way before going further, how is it that from the date of your last letter till their reaching me, there are all ways three days. Your letter was dated the 12th and I did not get it till Wednesday. I cannot tell you how bad I felt not getting a letter Monday, then all day Tuesday and still no letter.

Well dearest and best, you talk very strangely about my being sorry about what is but right and natural. May, my darling girl you don't know me, when you talk like that and you ask me to try and feel pleased. Words fail me when I try to express my feelings when reading those few lines. A thrill of Joy, went through me, and my darling girl, I felt as if I loved you a thousand times better than ever, if that were possible.

You lift me up with one hand, and knock me down with the other, turning the next page, you commence to wonder where the money is coming from etc. etc. May I am surprised at you, who are a good Christian girl talking like that about putting love aside, and waiting for a while, and so on.

Did you ever hear the old Scotch saying, "Marry for love and work for sillar," (money). Now May my sweet pet. If you know the thoughts I have had since getting your letter you would not feel blue and have these thoughts. If any stimulous were needed to make me feel a man and a husband's responsibility I have it now. But leaving that aside I know in my heart that I have got a a whole souled, good living, sensible girl for a wife and I know it, and May you have put ambition in me that I thought I had almost lost.

You see dearest it is this way. If you had not married me, and kept waiting, and the knowledge that after all I might not win you, it would have been entirely different, now I get down on my knees every night and ask God to bless my darling wife, now because that pleasure is mine by right of effect on my sense so soothing that I can put my head on my pillow with a clear conscience.

And each night now that I have not my dearest Molly to fondle and caress, I go over in my mind the days proceeding. And dear is is an exceptional day when my conscience tells me I have done something to regret. No. My sweetheart I am doing my best to live a sober and upright life and better still am succeeding and all through my love for you and God's help.

You would scarcely know me now, you old flub-dub. I have changed so much for the better in appearance since you left me. May you must have been hugging me too tightly. Malni was saying yesterday he never saw me looking so well, and I know that what he says is true this time at least. Am in the enjoyment of excellent health. We breakfast at six, dinner at twelve and supper about 6:30, and what with regular habits, good "vittles" and exercise, I am tip top.

So my sweetheart is a little nervous and thinking of what is before you makes you feel bad. Well Molly I do not wonder but try to look on the bright side of it. I will be doing well by that time I feel certain and just think dear how happy we could be if it is the Almighty's will that we should be so blessed.

Did you ever hear the song, "Cleansing Fires." The refrain is, "for as gold must be tried by fire, so the heart must be tried by pain." I will sing it for you sometime. Had a nice letter from my brother George yesterday, which I enclose for your perusal, you might give it to Maggie and let her read it some time when she wants. Have a letter written for her which I will post along with this.

Mr. Howell sent me a paper (journal) with account of the "Keeling" banquet, too. Wrote him a good letter some days ago. Am looking after another church position the up town Baptist.

Had an interview with E. Miller Jumer of the E. Miller Co. and they want a Bass, one who is competent to take charge, Duncan put me up to it. Mr. Miller has a big say in the matter, he is quite a musician himself. Was round most of the shop again, business is looking up a little and is expected to be good very soon now.

Don't you want to come back to me? Just as soon as I get a good job. I will tell you my plans. You of course must think of Meriden as your home, as although it is pretty bad for me here just now, I can see plainly now that I can get on well through time.

John must be in a fair way of recovery now, but must have had a very severe shaking up and poor Deb what a turn she must have had. I don't wonder her feet gave out. Was at Dan Duncan's at a little party on Wednesday eve. We had a splendid little time got home after twelve. The Scotts and Morrisons were there and although you don't know them I think, they have heard you sing and were wishing you were back again. You ought to have heard Mr. Malni sing the "cows are in the clover." !

If I had a dozen copies of that song how I could sell them easily, could you not get a copy if it is from Alan, Darling? Try to get a copy of it, dear. By the way Mr. Hall still has my copy of "Sweet Dorabella" this trio we sang at Trinity. You might call and ask him for it, and send it on to me. It is too good to loose. Does Hen sing any now? He should try and get in some choir for practice. Now sweetheart write soon and give me all the news and I will reply right away.

Will finish now, with a heartfull of love and kisses innumerable believe me.

Your ever loving husband,

Harry.