File:Thomas Butler Gunn Diaries- Volume 8, page 47, August 26, 1856.jpg

Transcription:

thickets, and over the stones in the bed of the stream. Sometimes extemporizing a bridge with planks and stones, sometimes [Jesse] Haney and Jack [Edwards] taking off shoes and socks to wade and lift the girls [Sally, Matty, and Eliza Edwards] over. The little falls and cascades all swollen by the recent freshet. All these girls are good humored, none particularly intellectual or pretty — yet they are good, kind, excellent persons. For beauty, however, I must make exceptions in favor of the younger ones. Matty is certainly plump and pretty, and Sally pleasant looking. But Eliza, with her thick fair hair, worn back from her good frank forehead, and confined only by a circular comb, not being gathered or restrained by aught else; her [word crossed out] full grey eyes, her fine clear cut features and fair complexion, her little wilful, frank ways, her pluck and fearlessness — I loved to look at the girl. She is not yet old enough to have any of the little sentimentalisms and pretty half affectations incendantal to the change from girlhood to womanhood, cares for no one's likings or dislikings, and is apt to be rude to her favorites — of whom Haney is one, (I envy him) — and is in everything a frank, free-spirited handsome girl. I have never known any American children I can like. These English born ones are as superior in blood, breed and nature as white is to black. All pic-nicked at