Jedadiah's Mail Order Bride Read Online Free PDF Page A

immediately.  He had discovered a keen love for Wyoming.  Another was from a widow in her thirties with three children.  While the thought of children didn't put him off, three was a bit much and he didn't think his ranch was ready to support five people adequately.  He would respond to that one with a polite no, that he didn't feel he had the wherewithal to support four additional persons.  He sent responses back to the paper and waited.  Jed was a patient man.  He could wait longer for the right person.  Clara Hastings had assured him the right girl for him was out there.  All he had to do was find her.
     
    Another month passed.  He loaded his wagon with fresh vegetables and set out for Laramie.  He delivered the vegetables to the store.  Asa, who was also the postmaster told him he had some mail for him.  There were two letters from The Matrimonial News.  Thanking Asa, he walked down to the cafe for some lunch and to read the letters.
     
    In the cafe, he ordered a steak, some potatoes and fresh bread and a large glass of tea.  While he waited, he opened the first of the letters,  It was from a lady of twenty six who lived in Philadelphia.  She expressed an interest in correspondence with him.  She had never been married and indicated she was five feet four inches tall and weighed 145 pounds.  She didn't think she was unattractive and added the thought of living on the frontier didn't frighten her.  He laid this one aside as one deserving a reply. 
     
    His food arrived and as he began chewing his tough steak, he opened the other.  It was from #412.  The editor of The Matrimonial News had forwarded his name and address to her.  The letter was in a handwriting that indicated good penmanship and proper grammar.  She had read his ad also and would like to establish a correspondence with him.
     
    "I am a school teacher and I live in Owego, New York with my parents.  I have been betrothed but never married.  I am not an unattractive woman, but there is a dearth of men in our area, due in part to the horrors of the war.  I very much would like a family.  I can cook and sew.  I have a strong interest in reading and I enjoy teaching the children.  Life on the frontier sounds difficult but I feel I am up to the challenge.  I have no means other than the small stipend I receive for teaching.  My address is contained herein, should you be interested in continuing a correspondence.  I await your response and remain, Sincerely yours, Sarah Grace Harding." 
     
    "What a nice letter," Jed thought.  I am definitely going to respond.  She sounds like a nice lady.  I'm going to talk with John and Grace and ask for their help."  After he finished his dinner, he walked over to the church, where he found John polishing the altar and Grace wiping down the pews.  When they spotted him, they stopped what they were doing and greeted him cordially.  Since he had told them previously of his intentions, they were interested in his progress.
     
    Jed said, "I have now received several responses, and I responded to an ad I read in the last issue of the paper.  Just today, I had two replies, one of which sounds promising but the other is from the lady who placed the ad I answered.  It is a very nice letter I think.  Would you like to hear it?"
     
    "Well of course, silly," said Grace.  "Read it to us please."
     
    Jed read the letter to them.  John nodded approvingly.  Grace said, "She sounds perfect.  Are you going to answer it?"
     
    "I am and if you have some paper, I would like to do it before I go home so that it can get in the mail as soon as possible.  I would like your help with my answer, if you don't mind."
     
    "I don't mind helping, but I think this letter should come from you.  I think it is important the words reflect you and the way you talk, and the way you are.  I'll be glad to read it and tell you what I think,” John said.
     
    "I completely agree with John," Grace said.  "I'll get