Great Nebraska
Naturalists and ScientistsLawrence Bruner, Letter, 1881, July 17
I don’t know how Miss —(I have forgotten her name) anyway the lady who came along as far as the Valley was pleased with me for I did try all I could to bother and tease her. I told her that she would have to excuse you for not entertaining her more than you did, and that she talked in her sleep & e. Taking all in all it was about all her dignity was able to stand. She said that she didn’t hear you come to bed and that it must have been morning. So i just told her she did some talking in her sleep for I was quite positive that I heard you talking with someone who answered. She has quite a decided opinion of me I am sure — and none of the most favorable kind either.
I hope Seba was not much disappointed at not seeing me when she came home and learned that I had been there. Give her my best wishes and a kiss — only don’t understand that I would do the same if I were there. By the way, that toilet set which you say she made and marked “B” might just as well be turned over to you. It will be all the same. I hope that Miss Huff has a finished opinion of “it” by this time, and that it is not too very severe, for I don’t know hardly what I would do if it were for I can place considerable confidence in her judgement. I have since [protected?] her carefully and entirely confirm my expressed opinion of her. So she should not be too hard.
I am writing this letter at Mr. Budd’s and if I have it sort of mixed you must not blame. They are busy talking to me and reading funny things and if I should get any of it down why you know where it comes from. John Mockelt has just gone up above her aways to see a young lady that he met up in Dodge near where he was teaching. He is surely smitten again. He must be something like Kit R. said I was id est becomes enamored with every new and pretty face.
Marcia please make out a list of such things as you think we will require to begin with—bedding and furniture & e. I will not have time to do much myself, and I prefer too that you say in that matter. Of course the quantity and quality will have to be governed by circumstances. Will go home on Tuesday if I do not have to before, and will then write you what I expect to do. If I go out to Montana I will try to come by way of R.S. if they have not given difinite orders for the other rout.
Hoping that you are well and happy since I have been to see you. I remain so ever yours
Send lots of kisses.