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Concerned by Ben’s concern, her lack of experience, and her sister’s somewhat unhealthy appearance, Letitia took the responsibility of firing off a telegram to Gabe at his mother’s house in Atlanta. Two days later, she received a reply: Cam’s health sounds normal. Be patient. Packing up soon to return.
Meanwhile, Hannah went about her normal routine. Bundled up against intermittently foul weather, she strode the six blocks or so from her boarding house to the newspaper office, worked her scheduled hours (more or less), and returned to a room of cats and comforting purrs.
Most of the time Hannah walked around with a strange trembly feeling in her middle, and the air along any exposed skin blew now hot, now cold. It seemed that she had started up and set loose a powerful locomotive on the tracks, and it was now barreling down toward her like a runaway carriage. She was unsure if she ought to board the train or step completely out of the line of fire.
She knew only that, at the end of each day, she marked another X on the February calendar above her Gazette desk, and the date was fast approaching when she must either fish or cut bait.
1871 February 2
Dear Mr. Ualraig,
Thank you for your letter, and for your apology, both of which I have accepted
unequivocally. Perhaps I ought not speak of this right now, but I must confess to
being under some strain about our arrangement. A certain amount of doubt as to
any enterprise is probably understandable; and I am writing of my concerns, not to
completely renege on what has been planned, but to let you know my feeling
in the matter. Possibly we might spend more time getting better acquainted,
instead of rushing to finalize plans for marriage. I appreciate your patience,
and, as always, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the matter.
Respectfully,
Hannah Burton
1871 February 6
My dear Miss Burton,
Your letter has taken me quite aback. While it is true that neither of us has
made promises to the other as far as our intended wedding, I frankly expected
that, upon my arrival in your town, we could begin discussions as to actually
setting a date for the ceremony. This sudden talk of delay, postponement, or
even cancellation greatly concerns me—nay, it displeases me. Dare I suggest
that you are acting out of fear of the unknown? That you are not the intrepid, courageous lady as indicated in your earlier correspondence but are instead
having second thoughts? Cold feet, as it were. I wonder if perhaps your attitude
is being influenced by others.
At any rate, I shall be with you within the next week or so, and at that time we can
formally plight our troth. In my lights, your letters have evidenced the wish for marital
union with me, and I truly do plan to hold you to your promise.
Resolutely yours,
