Friday, February 2, 2018

A Tale of Two, Part 3: Josef

September 4, 1891

Father recently presented me with this journal. Very well, it is only recently if you consider the word loosely. It has been almost two years since he has gifted this to me, yet you are the first page I am to fill. This is because I have a secret I must keep from Father. When Mother is better I shall inform her, but until then, you are the only one to know.
I fear if I told Father he would quietly accept it, then lash out in some way. He wants me to marry Isabelle, his Spanish business partner’s daughter. I find her obnoxious. She rambles away in Spanish and refuses any attempts made at teaching her English. This despite my efforts to gain some mastery of Spanish.
Father must not know I have found another to whom my heart calls. It sounds crazy, but I have, and I barely know her. Father would never approve, especially as she is a farmer’s daughter. But she is as beautiful as the moon and stars at night, her heart is as glorious as the good Lord’s, and her smile makes the sun envious. She is everything beauty should be. Her siblings are troublesome, but she hides her exasperation from them, showing them only kind words and empty threats. They have no idea what they have. She is wonderful.
I met her today at the market. I saw her distress when the baker would not lower his prices for her and bought her bread. She was reluctant to take it, but then what is a woman to think when a strange man purchases her food without mentioning debt? I walked with her, felt her uneasiness. Especially when I assumed John and Marie were her children. Can you fault me? A beauty such as herself is normally married young.
My heart raced all the while she was near me. I could not help but long for it to do so forevermore. She does not know but I intend to see her everyday possible.  She lives on the Smith farm with her mother and father, yet she appears as delicate as any city girl. I would love to make her mine. I intend to woo her.

Love is called Caroline Smith.

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