Burton and Zona (planned)

First Two Letters

(Postmarked Sep. 7, 1895) Cleveland, Tenn. Sept 7th, 1895

Rev. B. M. Martin Brasstown, NC Kind Friend – Your favor of August 18th received in due time. Yes. I had heard you very highly spoken of, consequently had quite an elevated opinion of you before we met in Chattanooga, and will say my estimation of you were not abated in the least, after our short conversation. As to you being a Methodist preacher, I am a Methodist myself. Have had acquaintance with Methodist preachers all my life, and have always found them a very agreeable set of people, not so formal or concise but ever upholding the banner of righteousness. Mr. Martin, since I have heard of you through one in whom I have utmost confidence, I do not regard it a presumption on your part in soliciting my correspondence, and had the request been made a few days previous to the time it was, it would have been granted with pleasure. But under the present circumstances, I could not without injustice to you and impropriety on my part, correspond with you. I am sorry but trust it will be no disappointment to you. Should you ever visit our town, rest assured that no one here except my mother knows about this. Have too much regards for one’s feelings to do or say anything that would in any way leave him in an embarrassing position. You have my best wishes in the grand and noble work you have undertaken. May all your efforts be crowned with success. Suppose you hear occasionally of the great results with which your old classmate – my cousin – is meeting. The knowledge of that fact does my heart good. Please excuse delay, but naturally the unpleasant task of writing as I have had to do, would be put off from day to day. Please write me if this is satisfactory or not. Should you ever be in Cleveland, call and see us if it is convenient. Very respectfully, Your friend, Zona Haggard

(Postmarked Sep. 29, 1895) Brasstown, N.C. Sept 27th, 1895

Miss Zona Haggard, Cleveland, Tenn. Dear Friend:- Your letter received some days since. You asked me to write whether or not your answer was satisfactory. After some delay, I attempt to answer your kindly written letter. The lady like way in which you answered my request could only increase my admiration for you, and more firmly establish the opinion I had already formed, that you were a Christian lady of the highest type. In one sense, your answer was satisfactory. It was your privilege to answer as you did, or as you desired. I could not expect you to do a thing that would be an injustice to me and on your part impropriety. In another way it was not satisfactory. I had fondly cherished the hope that the answer would be favorable, and that our correspondence would grow into a peculiar intimacy by which I might be able to win the best and truest affections of your heart. I thought you in every way worthy of my esteem, which opinion I still maintain. I think the satisfactoriness of your answer should depend entirely on what the circumstances are which prohibit your acceptance of my proposal to correspond. These circumstances I do not know. Perhaps, it would not be courteous in me to ask for these unless I know that it would meet your approval. The supposition might be that you are engaged to be married. If so, your answer is entirely satisfactory. Again, I think I know your disposition pretty well. I thought, perhaps, you would be scrupulous about receiving attention from more than one young gentleman at a time. If you are only under partial obligations to some young gentleman, I could not truthfully say that your answer was satisfactory. I would wish a right among other contestants. Anyway, I feel very much disappointed that my letter did not reach you a few days earlier, as you indicated in your letter, that if you had received my letter sooner, your answer would have been more favorable. I thank you, for the wish you made for my success in the ministry, and for the kindness that characterized the whole tenor of your letter. Yes, I hear of the great results which are attending the ministerial labors of my old class-mate – your cousin. He is a model young man anyway. I am fond of him. I am going back to Tennessee the Second week in October to the Annual Conference at Knoxville. I will take a charge somewhere in the bounds of the Holston Conference. Should you ever wish to address me again, please feel perfectly free to do so without the least hesitation. Should I ever be at Cleveland I shall be glad to visit you. I have written my sentiments accompanied by the utmost kindness. I wish you abundant success. Your friend, B. M. Martin