Contributed by Judy Liskey
This letter is from David Wittig, one of several young men with whom Dorcas was corresponding. He lived in Dovesville (Bergton) and was sending her news of the village.
The man named Charley who was mentioned in the letter was Charley Souder who had gone to Maryland where his sister, Clara Brake, lived. His brothers, Jake and Phil, were there, too. They were running their sawmill to cut the lumber for the new house that Clara and her husband, Billy, were building.
Another young man that David mentioned was Garrett Mathias. Dorcas was also exchanging letters with him and David was sure to let her know that Garrett had attended the meeting on Lost River with a beautiful young lady.
Dovesville, Virginia
October 30th, 1883
Dearest Friend:–This evening I betake myself to answering your kind letter of long ago. I have delayed from time to time against my own will, but not from lack of appreciation of your welcome letters. Believe me, your letters are very much more interesting to me than you may suppose. A “busy life”, (as you wrote me once,) has much to do with making letterwriting a slow business. I can appreciate this fact by my own experience, and feel to excuse your favors for being so seldom; but would love to receive them oftener.—I presume the reason you & Miss Hannah did not come to the Communion Meeting was because of the unfavorable weather. I am sorry it was so bad, would have been pleased to see you both there. I have not seen your friend, Miss Brenneman, since the Camp Meeting, but have thought of her frequently, and can’t help but think her a pleasant lady.– You are hardly aware how glad I am you found out the “Miss Smith” was not the other lady you spoke of. I think there is a very considerable difference, for I never could love Miss Smith.—“The Bush Meeting with me was a failure,” am sorry you could not go to enjoy it and tell me how it was. The season for Big Meetings is nearly past, and I have been to but two: at Uncle Reuben Dove’s & Lost River. You could not have helped but like the time at Lost River had you been there. The young people there are “ever lively and in for fun.” The Revival at Caplinger’s Chapel will commence next Saturday. Mr. Nelson will be there and I suppose he will hardly leave until he “shall have turned some of us right.” Wish you could be present; for I know you would love to see the “good work go on.” – I expect to commence school next Monday, & hope to be teaching through the day and preaching in the evening, while the
“Revival” continues. “It is too bad” to think how our young men are leaving us on every hand. I hardly see how we can do without Charley; especially you. I know you felt sorry to see him go. The touching “goodbye” which I imagine you gave him on his departure, must doubtless, live in pleasant memory with him, and perhaps may help to bring him back. Mr. J. Hess and wife left us last Sunday morning. It looks right hard to see our fair ladies leave us; for “O! I am growing old.” I can not think who will next employ Mr. Kline up this way, think he wont come up quite this far. You can hardly think how find Garrett looked at the “Big Meeting on Lost River. The young lady who was with him to Camp Meeting was “indeed beautiful” I thought. Had I not known Mr. Garrett, I would have been likely to say “What kind of a fellow is he?” I never told him about “The Bet.” I know he would think to himself “Well now our ages would suit so well.” I must stop writing; for it is nearly 10 o’clock. I could think of nothing to interest you this time: perhaps I may be able to do better next time, if my letters be approved. I certainly love correspondence with friends whom I esteem—Hoping to receive a pleasing response, and sincerely wishing you well in all your undertakings,
David. I remain as ever your friend.
