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[Letter from Y. J. Allen to Mollie Houston, September 04, 1856]

Emory College, Oxford Geo.Sept 4 1836
My Dear One,

I have gained a few minutes this evening, by hastening over my Philosophy, which I desire after some sort to spend in communion with thee. Two weeks ago, today, I wrote you a hasty letter, as this too must be, which I should have long since expected an answer to, had I not heard what I took to be a valid and I assure you a most acceptable excuse, though I must admit that I have been looking anxiously with a partial expectation, at least, of getting one every morning, for near 5 days now, not knowing how long that excuse (for it is a good one, and you are excusable most assuredly under all such circumstances) might still continue; I have now taken it for granted that you are still engaged both mentally

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and spiritually in that glorious work which seems to have sprung up near you and thereby given you such precious opportunities and privileges to work for your Redeemer’s cause; My Dear, I did not wish hardly to mention this subject just here, but could not help it, but wished to wait until I should hear from your own heart and pen what has been done, then to give you some of my feelings as they come up in earnest emotions the morning I got the the news of your devotedness in zeal and active exertion for the cause you have espoused. I was glad, I was glad Dearest One, when I heard of the lively interest you had taken and publicly manifested in the meeting at Grantville, I so hope and pray that the Lord will greatly bless your efforts and give you greater courage and strength to labor in his vineyard, with increasing

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assurances of success, and of hope for the rewards of his promises. Dearest Mollie, I will not anticipate and say in this little hasty scribble what I desire to say at more length at another and better time, especially after I hear from you. I don’t intend this to be considered as a letter, Mollie, at all, but just a few [added] little ramblings of the pen and mind a few minutes before going in to the lecture room. I have no news that would interest you anyway, I suppose, and shall therefore mention none, ‘cepting (your word) I tell you that I heard from Dessa the other day. Two of our students, and I don’t know how many more, live very near her and know her well. I heard of her swapping brothers with another young lady up there, the young man a student here of the Soph. class, with whom I suppose she enjoyed a sweet ride, as they exchanged for that purpose,

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Messrs. Peek and Blance are the two gentlemen and the latter the one she swapped for, I have told you this particularly that you may take advantage of the information in writing to her sometime if you desire.

I must now close, begging that you pardon this almost unpardonable attempt at a communion, especially with.

And I must request that you write me soon, and give me all the particulars and news &etc that have occurred since that [deleted] I left. Do now, My Dear Mollie, please write me a long letter and I will repay you twofold in my next.

Give my love to Mellie & sisters and believe me [added] ever faithful and devotedly

thine own affectionate
Young Allen

Scold Matt for me, what did you think of Elsie? Please answer my ☞?