OH BOY!

This is a letter that I have been dreading. It was written in two passes one on top of the other. The first was with the paper in the normal "portrait" position, then it was rotated 90 degrees and written over the first script, with it in the "landscape" position.
This was done to conserve paper and I don't believe it would have been so hard to read, if the ink hadn't been badly faded. When you become aclimated to it, you are able to ignore the verticle script and read just the horizontal script . . . fairly well.

August 3rd 1883
(Bethania, NC)

My Dear Belle

I will by this morning to write you a letter, but don't know how long I will get to write as its my week to help about the cooking & I am kept pretty busy. We have a black girl but you know they always require so much help. I am certainly glad that we are to get a cook next week. Perhaps I can share in the house work some. I have been owing you a letter so long that I don't know what I have written you & what I have not. I think though I have been to three picnics since I wrote. But useless to add that I enjoyed them.
Dick gave the first one to a young lady visiting in the neighborhood. The second was a Sunday School Pic Nic about nine miles from here. I enjoyed the last one best though not because I gave it for we scarcely spoke that day & night. My beau from Winston (Mr) Sam Bynum took me from the grounds to the place where we all spent the night & D. came after night didn't chat him till after John left. I havethe sweetist little mortar of Johns & he has my prize locket. He is certainly nice. I left & you D. & J. were neither one at the other picnics & I had a good time at both with two other Winston boys Messrs R Kerner & Jim Robenson, the editor of the Winston Leader. I have been having a very pleasant time this summer so far & hope to continue it. I am done teaching school & am going around & have a fine time as much as possible. Belle last Sat. sister & brother & I went up to Mrs. Daltons Fathers & spent the night.
One of my brothers married Dicks sister & then I am very intimate with Maggie Dalton another of his sisters & now don't think its because D & I were sweethearts for Marg & I had been friends ever since we were children. We drove up & who should we see but sister Nannie & Dick. They had gotten there that evening before us. Dick you must know practiced medicine with brother Abe & as he could not come Dick had brought her.
Well you said that if we loved each other we would make up & then you said more things to me, all the truth & I am much obliged of course will not be the least offended as you seemed to think I might. I reckon I was selfish but its hard to "kick against the prick." to overcome nature. We all went to preaching the next day & Dick took me in the buggy. We two instead of going with the rest of the party to church took a notion we would go up to the Pilot Mountains not far from the church & told the others though they did not believe us. We went never less & enjoyed it I think. At least I did & he said the same. I wish you could have been along. There is a beautiful view of the Blue Ridge all through N.C. & in the southern part of Virginia. The mountain is a mile high & you know we had an excellent view. I drove all the way up there. I mean as far as you can go with a buggy & then we walked the rest of the way. It was very steep & tiresome. I tell you but we managed to make it. I guess you can imagine the drift of the conversation in such a picturesque place. One that would make any one sentimental even had there been nothing of the kind in disposition. I have been up there three times but my last trip, I must confess, was the most pleasant of all. Now Belle you mustn't go & tell Dunk all this foolishness about me for he will think I am about half crazy. By the way how are you all getting along now? I hope all right. I think you are very kind to let him carry on with other girls & he ought not to take advantage of that either. As long as he tells you all they say you may consider yourself first but when one comes along whom he says is his very good friend you watch as well as pray. I think a woman's instinct will tell her quick as anything else who to fear as a rival and all women are alike in general it will not be necessary for me to give you any advise. Pardon my presumption & take this advice of a fool who to some extent has learned in the school of experience. I am actually afraid you can't make out this scrall but I am going to send it never the less.
I am thinking of going to the Louisville Exposition but am not atall certain. Are you going! Belle I think you might send me one of your pictures I have asked you several times for one. Send me one of Dunks just to see & I will return it. I know he will pardon my womans curiosity. I wish you would send me one of you both to keep. Well its time to cut off the corn so I must stop. Now please write to me soon. Excuse me for not writing sooner as I have been so busy. Well love to your mama & kindest regards to Dunk & best love to your dear self. I am your true friend ,

Kate.