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Jennie McQuivey to Theodore Drake
from: Watertown, WI
to: Oak Grove, WI postmark March 1
Sunday Feb 28, 1868
Dear Friend,
your letter of the 14th I got not until the next Friday evening. perhaps it was best that
it did not ----- for you would have been disappointed. for my throat was so sore. I did
not go to school. I went to church wednesday evening and caught a severe cold coming
home. I was well enough to go to school on tuesday but have a cough yet. colds are
quite the style here. perhaps they would not have been had it snowed. I guess it has
snowed all it will this winter. Mr. Wood do not know but that I came back with pa. you
know he was here. when I came in Mrs. Wood asked if Pa came down. of course I said
yes. and so she thinks I came with him. I was to a dance (an extra by the dancing master)
Tuesday night and saw young Mr. ------. I attended the theater a week ago tuesday. the
comedy was “the ticket of leave men” ----- in Ireland in 5 acts. it seemed more like real
life. I tell you it was splendid! I wished you were there. I had an invitation to attend a
party given by E. Cole. I don’t know. as I’m grand enough to go but I will. there will be
a dance a week from Wednesday (the end of dancing school). I wish you would come to
it. I have seen Maggie twice since I went home but not since I received your letter. she
is going to ----- next summer. our school if she can get it. she said almost as much. she
said nothing about having applied. I will call on her and ascertain if possible weather she
has or not. I dreamed Lina and Ed were the best of friends and was told the next day Ed
Co--on has soured on “The Drakes” I don’t believe that do you? I will tell you about it
when I se you. I think you can guess who said it. I was in C- F-rtiers and saw Em Dump.
She was buying presents for her school. I do not care much what she and the others say
concerning you and me. I sure they have no cause to say to much. I did not send one
valentine. yes Dora, I would as like to get a letter from you. do you know I think of you
a great deal? I am always comparing you with the young men here. always in your favor
of course. ---dear, I shall be home in five weeks. I don’t think I am sorry. I have not
heard from Harriet yet. not since I saw uncle John two weeks ago. so I know but what it
is already engaged. I hope it is not. I had a horrible dream about our folks which made
me quite homesick for a while. they are all telling me to go to school here next term. but
I shall not. --if I do teach next summer. will you tell me the wish you wished my ring on.
it will be nearly a year. George ----aunt and two cousins are here. they came last
Wednesday. well my dear I guess I have told you all the news. only fun going to church
this evening with Atheline. excuse this poor writing and remember I am
your best friend
Jennie
P.S. I would tell you something but you might mis-interpret it.
*NOTE: Jennie was not yet 16...........the little tease........
Jennie McQuivey to Theodore Drake
Watertown Wisconsin to Oak Grove Wisconsin
dated: March 19, 186?
Dear friend D.
It has been just one week since I saw you last. us ones was in the sitting room but
Georgina, who fetched you the hired man said she didn’t say anything. and when her
mother asked how I came, Georg. said the hired man brought me. but she didn’t think so.
did you have a pleasant ride back & Dora you hadn’t been gone more than 11/2 hours,
where I had an invitation, to go riding. It was very unexpected, but I presumed he
thought I would not dare to decline, if he came here and found me unengaged. He had a
splendid horse and buggy. and it was -- ---- to refuse I suppose, but I was direct, and had,
had enough for one day, I told him. It was evident he did not think my excuse sufficient,
but I did not care to explain myself further. it was R.M. Pa and Ma were down yesterday
------ I have got the blues I guess. I received a letter from Harriet Thursday saying six had
applied for their school, before ----- John got back. isn’t it too bad, I think I shall have to
take the Fisher school, but perhaps that has been engaged. had I only received her letter
before I went home, I might have gone over and seen. do you know find out if you can
and tell me. I shall not teach for less than twenty dollars a month. I am coming home the
thursday before easter. at least there is not ----- Pa said he would try and come after me.
the Woods will go up easter I guess. School will be out in three weeks from Wednesday
you said in your letter you didn’t want me to let [M]aggie bet me. she may know more
altogether but not so much in any one thing. I don’t think I will be home just in time for
examinations. I don’t believe I shall teach at all if I cannot get that school (pa won’t be
willing) That knife was just the nicest present you could have got for me. my paper is all
written and as I have written more than you do I will close expecting a letter soon.
from one who trusts your love
Jennie