Letter from Charles Francis Himes to Helen Himes, July 9, 1857

Dear Sister, -
I recd yours of June 27th from Baltimore this evening and although you hint eloquently at the tremendous inflictions I impose on you weekly I am determined not to forbear. Whereever I tire of silly on sensible talk with these Border Ruffians my mind naturally eastward and I feel like conversing in that distant land and immediatly as the spirit moves, the body acts and forthwith are penned down many hasty and fanciful thoughts, expressions and ideas, and as they are sent homeward are unexamined as I have not time to read what I have written. I sent a letter to you last Saturday (4th) just as I was starting on a frog hunt, but meeting with very little

in obtaining the amphibian I caught the little Indian Pony (the niggers all being on a glorification) and rode to town and crossed over into bleeding Kansas, and roamed among the bushes, branches and lordly cottonwood trees of the great [illegible] city of El[illegible]; and then after satisfying myself with ice-cream started homeward with my patriotism at the boiling point for want of an opportunity to let it off during the day. On Sunday I visited some of my patrons as I had been intending to do for weeks, was very hospitably entertained and kindly treated, but would not stay over night. The nigger question was fully and ably discussed as it always is when I am about they want to draw me out some suspect me of being an

abolitionist and it gives me pleasure to leave them in a glorious uncertainty although I am strongly tainted with almost ultra southern principles. Niggers are ceasing to be a novelty or an aversion as formerly, thus illustrating that line of [illegible] which for fear of not quoting correctly I will omit and leave your cranium or imagination to supply the deficiency. I think you’d become reconciled to holding a Negro if you could not [illegible] away from your nonemancipate [illegible]. – But I’ll have a glorious time converting you all when I get home relying on the [illegible] right and justice of my cause I have no fear of failure. - - The measles have broken out in my school to my great annoyance and loss.

preventing several from coming into this neighborhood who were coming to board and would have filled the school. Thank fortune I have had them! At present rates I am scarcely making over $40 per month whilst I was calculating on $55, but yet I won’t adjourn school as I am anxious to lose as little time as possible and be home by Christmas. When next week is finished one third of the time will be past. – If I don’t see Dr. out here I’ll see his brother at St. Joe. as he has written to me that he would call to see me sometime this summer when he comes to St. Joe. As to my lungs being affected I can not speak with certainty but that I am not in as perfect health as I might be is equally certain, but you need entertain no fears as whenever it proves seriously inconvenient I shall “strike homeward”. I came to a like conclusion in regard to petting the doves and left them to maternal care. – So to Mr. Ege’s son Peter about whom you are so knowing I would simply say that his name is Thompson Peter so we were both right but we always called him Pete at college and he is the same person you speak of. I have no doubt you will feel quite relieved to live in the country again and would be more so if you had spent the same time in the city of St. Joe. Your displeasure with steamboat riding is amusing instead of painful you had good company, I have travelled over 1000 miles on them without any company and had every variety of adventures.

I am sorry I will not be at home while Ellie Lucas is with you both for my own and I flatter myself your and her enjoyment. I would like to hear from Andy Popplein and I suppose you gave him my address. Sue is decidedly affectionate (?) and ‘twere a pity not to return an equivalent for all she sends so return in my name as you see fit as I leave you unrestrained dispenses until I return and can act for myself, which I trust may be soon as I imagine I can enjoy myself at home a season after and years roaming and I don’t think pleasure, fame or fortune will detain me longer. But I must stop for as my sheet fills up and my scrall lengthens visions of huge lectures rise and although I feel safe at this distance I may be nearer to you in less than a year so good night, [illegible]
Your afft Bro. Chas. F. Himes

A new leaf for a lecture. – Who did you intend your last letter for you have written on it C. F. Himes and Hon. J. L. Leonard, I suppose you thought any title you could give me insignificant aside of the Hon. It should have had “in care of” on it though. but don’t direct my letters in his care and more it does no good. I think if you would write on them “viâ Hannibal” they would come quicker as I think they go by St. Louis now. –
Tuesday July 14th –
Write soon and often every week whether you hear from me or not. Send papers too etc. etc. Give my respects to all inquiring friends.
Your afft Bro.
Chas. F. Himes