Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897 to Eliza Cook
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02570.43 Author/Creator: Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897 Place Written: Floyd Co., Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 April 1863 Pagination: 4 p. Order a Copy
Fuss about Cook's lack of mail:
"I will venture that no other wife in Texas, or sweetheart even, gets half as many letters from her lover as you do. Is it not so? And yet I do not get letters from you as often as many do from others. How come this? Who is to blame, you or the mail? Never mind though I wrote you one ill natured letter on this very subject last week and that shall gratify my spleen for a time." Discusses his loss of good looks, "…I have just lain aside my mirror in the reflection of which I have been gazing upon the once attractive features of your husband. Alas! Miss Eliza! that attraction has faded and but lift its footprints which very much resemble those of a crow…Oh! dear me I am almost inconsolable; I can't get a single pretty girl to look at me after getting a glance at my face. All your jealousy can go to rest now for I am perfectly harmless. If my lady friends were to get hold of this they would in all probably think I regretted that 'all those endearing young charms' had faded and between us they would not miss it very far for I do not wish to become odious to them." Discusses the weather (how it will further affect his looks). Relies on the marriage contract to prevent Eliza from leaving him.
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