Letter from Augusta Bruen, Dayton, OH to Luther Bruen, 1861-03-15
Dayton March 15th. 1861
Dearest, I have just got your dispirited letter of the 12th. And cannot resist writing just a few words to comfort you.
Believe me, it is a lie (I can't help being vulgar in this case) of Corwin's and I do hope you will lay hold of Mr. Schenck the moment he returns and let him know just what he (C.) has said. Uncle John thinks Mr. Schenck is probably on his way to Washington now.
I wrote yesterday more fully and only write again because you are low spirited and because I do wish you to tell Mr. Schenck all about Corwin. I think it will have a good effect if he has failed us which I do not and will not believe.
Goodbye Dearest and come home soon.
Augusta
PS. Don't mince matters, speak out plainly you will find out more even if it is the worst.
Noon_ Well I have had a funny time this morning._ I sent off this letter then I could not rest, so I sat down and wrote one to Mr. Schenck which I enclosed to you, meaning to let you judge whether it had best be given or not. Mary took that to the office when it occurred to me that I had spelt a work wrong in Mr. S's letter of course I was worried, so up I went to the office and by good luck got it out, changed and put back. About an hour ago down came Uncle John, he said that Mr. Schenck was still in Columbus his prospects quite bright. He (Uncle) had told Wilbur *Conorver* all about the matter and he is now on his way to Columbus to protest against, *Cornly's* appointment.
Uncle John insisted upon taking out my letter and sending it with one of his own to Mr. Schenck by Wilbur. So you see your letter has raised a Rookery, and if it is not too late we may yet do this business.
I will give you a copy of my letter to let you see what you think of it. I thought it right to give up to Uncle John.
Mr. Schenck
Dear Sir_ A daughter may speak for her Father; this shall be my only excuse for intruding upon your times.
I received a letter from Mr. Bruen this morning in which he says that he has been told of a change in your ground, and that you are now in favor of some other person for the Post Office. I must say that I do not believe it; but I have thought that Father's claims may not have been given as pressingly as they might in polite be urged (not exactly my expression) I at least find it impossible to keep quite still.
All my life I have seen my Father oppressed, and hoped he might see a gleam of sunshine in his old age.
His present employment is quite too hard for him, for you know how faithfully he had his work performed, working himself, rather than trust it to incompetent workmen.
You know him well, and will speak for him; but you cannot know the weight of care and sorrow that wears constantly upon his health and spirits. I hope my testimony may be taken as * and enable you to present his claims still more urgently.
I still remember *a reproof* you gave me when a child; it was in Washington, and for forwardness, I hope you will not think I merit another, and beg you will excuse my intrusion.
Respectfully
Mrs. A.F. Bruen
This is the whole as nearly as I can recollect though I know I expressed it better and *worded* better. Is it right?
Ruths King's child is dead, and so is Mr. Brown's.
I hope if it is not too late, that this news of home proceedings will inspirit you my own darling, if it is terribly written
Your's
Augusta
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March 15, 1861
Bruen, Augusta Forrer
Dayton, OH
4 pages
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
Bruen, Augusta Forrer -- Correspondence
Catharine Mitchill '31 Collection of Family Letters, Wellesley College Library, Special Collections
MSS.6.8
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http://repository.wellesley.edu/mitchill/8
