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Description
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Letter from Porter Graves to his wife recounting his trip to Sparta NC. letter, on letterhead stationary, Office of H. K. Boyer, Attorney-At-Law, Sparta, North Carolina, March 16, 1891, 4 pages of the letter and 1 envelope, letter - My Dear Wife, I reached Sparta this morning at half past ten o'clock having spent the night at a Mr. Roberts about twelve miles out and by the way they had the roughest fare I have had to tackle for many years. It was after dark when I rode up and after a brief conversation the old gentleman said "well if you can put up with our fare, light' and I dismounted, walked in and found no lights but from the fire. There were five children in the room and all had whooping cough. I ate cabbage, rye bread and coffee by the light of a pine torch held by the young hopeful, and after a few moments was shown to my bed in one corner of the "big house", as they called it by way of distinguishing it from the cook and dining room. Well, after the gentleman of the house and his good lady had retired, occupying a bed in the opposite corner of the room, they began talking to me, and we thus carried on a very entertaining conversation till I finally said good night, in less than three minutes, the old man began snoring, and where I did at length doze off, it was to dream of saw mills, Rail road accidents and tornados. We ate breakfast by day light, and for the first time saw the true condition of affairs; the knife and fork at my plate were as ?greasy? as though they had been boiled in lard. ????? ?????! But enough, How happened it that I stopped at such a place? well, as I was starting up the mountain I meet an acquaintance who told me that if I would turn off on a little ?by? path on top of the mountain, I could save at least three miles, and I turned! The ?sure? was about half an hour high where I reached the summit of the mountain where the path left the road; after travelling a few yards, I started down the side of the mountain, and the way became more ?precipitorus? as I advanced, and long before reaching the creekwhich flowed in the hollow I had to get down and lead, then I discovered another high peak in front, and had to walk all the way up and carry my saddlebags! It was now past sun down, and no sign of a house. Still I made on and on until finally I spied a light out on the side of the mountain and went to find out if I was on the right trail; the old woman said "yes, and I pushed forward, and at last came into the road leading to Sparta! By this time the moon was out, and I found myself in the stretch of flat woods called the "glades"' still a mile from any stopping place. When I reached a dwelling, I asked to spend the night, and the man regretted his inability to keep me on account of the dangerous sickness of his daughter, but assured me I could find confortable quarters at a Mr. ?????'s (Possibly I would have provailed on the man to take me in, had he not told me his name was McKnight!) ?On? rushing ?????'s I ?alloed and he came out to say that he had no feed for my horse, so I had to continue my journey! As I bade Mr. C???? good night he was kind enough to refer me to Mr. Roberts, and there I was taken in! From this I have learned a lesson; "Never take short cuts", unless I am more certain of the ending. I am now in a neatly furnished room. heated by an "open Franklin" stove, an improvement on my Wilkesboro apartment in this respect. Oue table is well supplied with all meats and seasonable vegetables, but no milk! Fever blisters in abundance. It is difficult just now to say when I can get home, not earlier than Friday or Saturday I fear and possibly not before Sunday! There are only three criminal cases for trial on the docket, but two of three are capital felonies, and about half a dozen civil cases ready to be heard. This is unquestionably the smallest Court Docket in the state. I am sure. Mrs. Boyer said she rather expected you with me, and regretted that you did not come, I told her a little about the mud and she then changed her mind about my supposed shabbiness in leaving you at home. I trust you are well and enjoying yourself. I added the last expression because I am in condition to have a high appreciation of comfort and enjoyment. Tired? yes - "Broke up"? Yes Bored? Yes Homesick? Worse than I have ever been. But for the ?company? this ?x?????? cold I carry with me furnishes, I think I would grow dispondent. I think however that I may find more co??????? associate for it is annoying me greatly to night. Now I must close, with warmest love, and best wishes for your happiness. I? affectionable, Porter, envelope - addressed to Mrs. S. P. Graves, Mount Airy, North Carolina, 2 cent stamp, postmarked Sparta
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Date
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5/16/1891
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Rights
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http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/
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Type
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text
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Identifier
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Mta_GFC_i93013.003_p01-10_mam
