March 28 Sunday - In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to Frances Nunnally.
Dear heart, where are you going to be—well, about the 10 or 12 of April? Because at that time I shall be publishing a booklet, Shall I send it to Atlanta, or to St. Timothy’s?
Next Thursday, April 1, I am going down to Norfolk, Va., by steamer, & shall sail thence for New York on Monday the 5th, Mr. Rogers will be celebrating the opening of his big railroad Saturday night, the 3d—no, Norfolk will be celebrating him with a banquet, that night. It’s the merchants & other business men. I have not asked for any privileges, but in their kindness they have volunteered them without the asking, & I am most sincerely thankful: I am allowed to stay away until the banquet is over & the speeches begin: 10 p.m; & am not required to come in black clothes. I cannot endure long banquets—the fatigue is too great; & as for black clothes, my aversion for them is incurable.
I note your promises to bring him here for inspection & possible approval. Don’t forget it. It took me only two days to size-up Beatrice’s young man & accept him. Now then, go carefully, don’t be rash. When you find yourself inclining toward a candidate, banish him from your presence & banish the thought of him from your mind, until you & your parents have had plenty of time to talk him over & arrive at a decision. It is the only wise way. You'll not take him; nor his successor, either; nor his successor’s successor; but you will take No. 4 or No. 5, & be glad you let the others go. And so shall I. I reckon there’s a young fellow creeping into yout mind now. Throw him out—& follow the above prescription. It’s a hundred to one he isn’t the right one. You are the very dearest sweetest Francesca there is & you are not to waste yourself. / Lovingly [MTP; MTAq 255-6].