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August 13th 1877

Miss R.J. -
I now give you the letter I wrote before you left. read it and if you wish you can answer it. I am always glad to get a line from my sweet heart. however use your own pleasure about answering. If you should come to meeting tomorrow night can I have the pleasure of your company home?

Please answer and oblige yours truly
A.Y.

The following letter was enclosed along with the above letter.

July 3rd 1877

Miss R.J. Starkey

Dear sweetheart
I will answer your kind and welcome letter which I read with emotions of pleasure. For in it you said that you loved me above all others. I am glad to know it. For I do love you above all others. I will try to believe you. Try to put confidence in what you say. But if you deceive me, I shall never again trust a woman. I firmly believe that you are going to marry, although you say you know nothing about it now. When you find it out please tell me of it before hand. For by so doing, you may save me much pain. Oh! do not pretend to love me when you know that you are going to be the Bride of another. But tell me in time. I can keep a secret as long as any body. When I see you led out by your future husband and hear the words said that will take you forever out of my reach. No tongue can tell no pen describe my feelings. I will be go away broken hearted. for I will then know that my "Darling" My dearest sweetheart is gone forever.

You said you would love me until one of us got married. If you love me until I get married I hope you will love me afterwards, For I hope when I do get married that you will be standing by my side. But "Ah! I fear that would not exactly suit you. I guess you will love me until you get married which wont be long. Be it soon or late I shall love you until you tell me to stop. Even then I dont know whether I could stop or not.

You asked me not to forget to think of you. When the Sun forgets to shine by day. and the Moon by night. When the waters cease to flow. Then will I forget to think of thee. Not a day will pass but I will think of thee. I close by saying

Forget me not. When others gaze enamored on thee with looks of praise. When weary leagues between us both are cast.
And each dull hour seems heavier than the last. "Oh! forget me not.

Good night Good bye. I wish you may have a pleasent journey But dont stay too long.

Farewell again. write soon I remain yours affectionately

A.Y. Shoemaker

Jacksonville Texas
July 15th 1877

Miss R.J. Starkey

Dear sweetheart
I have just read your welcome letter which afforded me great pleasure. For I have been thinking of you almost every since you left. Passed your house this evening. but it as very lonesome. for the one that I wanted to see was not there. The one that is to me one of the best and sweetest of Gods creatures was not to be seen. You wanted to know about the Weddings, none have married yet. But I am invited to the Widow Prices tomorrow night. She and a Mr. Bartley are to be joined in the holy bonds of matrimony at early candle lighting. Your sweetheart Mr Taylor is to be one of the waiters. dont know who the lady is. I wish them much joy and happiness. Your Darlings are all here yet. and will be until you take one of them off. I cant say what will become of the others when you do marry. me in particular, I dont know what I would do if you was to marry about christmas. If you dont. I have something to ask you about that time. But you must not ask me what it is. wait till after christmas to marry and you will find out what it is. About the singing, It is very sorry I think. The folks dont come out and help us. and the scholars cant sing much. because they are mostly new hands. and them that can sing dont care whether they do or not. If you was here I know it would not be so dry. I could sing better I know. There are several girls going. but none that I care to see. some very good looking ones too. But none so sweet as you. none that I love as I do you. none that are so dear to me as you are.

I answered the letter you gave me the last time I saw you but had no chance to send it to you. I will give it to you when you come home. In it you said for me not to forget to think of you. When the stars forget to shine. then will I forget to think of thee my Darling. I think of you and look at you often. I wish I could see they sweet face and hear you talk some tonight. You also said in your letter that you could say for the truth that you loved me above all others. "Oh! that I could know that you mean what you say. If I knew you did I would be the happiest boy in Cherokee Co. In the course of time I will know whether you do or not. Dear Miss please do not deceive me. If you do I will never trust a woman again. will never believe another one. But I hope you are too much of a lady to deceive a boy. If you ever want me to marry any one, dont fool me. I guess you are tired of my foolishness. So I will close for this time hoping to see you before long. How long are you going to stay? If you get this in time please answer and oblige your friend and lover.
A.Y. Shoemaker

P.S. Dont stay too long. for I want to see you very bad now. dont know what I will do if you stay a month o? ????. I heard that ?? was married the day you left. hope we will be some day. and I guess if we dont. it wont be my fault. think of me when you cant think of your other sweethearts. Write soon if not sooner from A.Y. to his Darling R.J.

Benton, Arkansas
April 4th. 1881.

Mr. A. Y. Shoemaker
Jacksonville, Texas.

My Dear Friend:
I have been intending to write to you for some time, but have been so busily engaged, and have seen so many "ups" and "downs" that it seems as though I would never find time to write. This letter leaves me enjoying excellent health. I weigh one hundred and fifty four pounds, the greatest weight I ever attained. Well, friend Shoemaker, I am still teaching school "learning the young mind how to school." I suppose that I will make school teaching a profession through life. After one teaches regularly for three or four years it seems to be a difficult matter to resign. It is like parting with a faithful horse or dog. Our Free School System is gaining ground rapidly each year. English Historians do not hesitate in pronouncing the Free School System of the Northern states the glory of America; and I hope the day is not far distant when our country will be filled with comfortable school houses; and these in turn filled with charts, globes, wall maps + Websters unabridged dictionary. Farmers are busy, ???? are backward, owing to the sever winter. All of our fruit is killed. It is now April and yesterday and also the day before, we had almost a regular freeze. Ice an inch thick. Next Monday I will commence again teaching. I want to spend this week in Malvern with sister.

Your Friend.
T.R. Ruffin

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