Florence Ala Feb 15th 1861
Mrs S H Clark
Dear aunt Lou
I am very fond of
having correspondece and especially with those whom
I love most dear at heart, though I hope that it
will not be necessary to make any apology whatever
for my writing misspellings or any thing of the kind
my only desire is to be capable of interesting
those to whom I do write. though I feel fully
unqualified to interest you under the present
circumstances I fell somewhat sad this morning
being off from the family and at this time I have a
very bad coal & sow throat I am a fraid that I
will be pestered a great deal with it. There has been
great deal of union about Athens they had the union
Flag was waving on the top of the courthouse but
I believe that have taken it down now I have
had quite a pleasant time during the past two weeks
part of my time I spent in Huntsville I attended
three nice conversation parties while there enjoyed
myself finely I happened to meet with cousin Lizzie
Clark there. But now I must commence my
laborious career for the next five months to come
I have begun now I think with the determination
of staying if that determination should fail I will
go home and work I think I can stick at
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that business if nothing else. Aunt Lou some will
think that I am very childish I acknowledge
that I am childish for one of my size but to
save me I cannont help it I miss Pa & Ma nore
than any one else would I expect but that love that
I have for them surposses anythin else in this
world although sometimes at home I may seen to
be perfectly absonent about them but you know as
the old saying is still water runs deep so does the
love that I have for them when on the ocean far away
Or in other lands I stray when storms hurl around
thy [cat?] twill whisper in my heart forget them
not. I am boarding with Dr. Rivers a very pleasant
family, but very much hemed up place I do not
think that it will be healthy in the Summer but
still there is no place like home. I have entered
the sop[h]amore class by that I think I shall be able to
get through in two years board at fifteen Dollars
write often give me encouragement for that is one
thing that I need worst of all give me pious regards
to cousin Fannie and the rest of friends & relations write
soon. I remain as ever you nephew & friend
J. W. Clark