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An interesting letter from “Zouie” as she signs this one.

The letter describes the marriage of their youngest brother, the youngest child of William Porter and Martha Hammond Shine’s children, AUGUSTUS G "GUS" SHINE, b. February 1870 who married O'PHOENIE NALL and had 7 children.  This letter establishes the marriage date as February 21, 1894.

The letter brings the marriage ceremony to life as she describes the nice reception with 45 present to dinner.  She speaks of “Pa”, William Porter Shine, and “Ma”, Martha Hammond Shine as they “met the bridal couple with overwhelming joy”, and how poignant it was to see the “dear old soul cry for joy”.

Again, the distance between them is discussed and how they miss each other.

An interesting note at the end implies that Laduska and Hix had expressed concern for Jim (James Uriah Shine).  Missouri comments “I wish youd give me Jim, he has material in him for a man.  Give him a chance and yo’ll be proud of him someday.”  She was right; he became a strong and successful Christian man.  This familiar dialogue surrounding parents and children is ageless.

(Little punctuation used.  Periods seem to be used for commas sometimes.)

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Greenville Ala
Feb 24th 1894
Mr and Mrs U H Shine

Dear Bro. & Sister

It is always a source of real pleasure to me to have a letter from either of you & doubly so when from both.  If you remember Loduska you left a few lines at the close of your letter and your very ecinomical hubby availed himself the priviledge of saving so much space that would otherwise be wasted for I verily believe he would not have wasted a whole sheet on so worthless a sister.  Try to leave him a line again won't you.  Bless his old soul I love to hear from him in his own fist if

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tis only a line or two.

Well Pa'r stayed nearly two weeks with me & went to Honoroville & stayed until last Sunday night The 18 inst.  Missey carried him home to attend the marriage of his youngest son Master Augustus G Shine to Phenie Nall which important event took place of the night of the 21 ult.  We were very much at a loss to know whether we should go or not as our baby Lois has scarcely recovered from a severe case of double pneumonia.  But her condition was much better Monday & Dr told us if she had a backset we might go Wednesday we got a very comfortable close surrey(?) & good pair of horses. & went to (word cut off by copier) Nall to the wedding & back to Pa's that night.  Pa'r & ma did not go Mr P. & myself & Effie. Buddie Sallie Queenie & Missey. Bro Roberts who

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performed the ceremony Willie Rogers Mr Foley & Jim Johnson all went down with Gussie, & everything was very nice & the reception far surpassed my expectation, There were 45 present to dinner, but Pa'r & Ma seemed happy & enjoyed everything connected with it they met the bridal pair with overwheming (sic) Joy, & 'twas pitiful to see Pa'r, dear old soul sit & cry for Joy.  He is so feeble but seems so happy.  We all talk of you & wished for you.  I told Pa'r about your suggestion to come to see you & he bubbled over again at the thought, and I told him if my coming would help him to come that I would make a desperate effort in that direction and Ma spoke up very promptly and said we needen't arrange to leave her out for she was coming too if pa'r and I came.  But this was all pass time talk you needn't

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bristle up over it a bit, much as I'd like it I've no Idea we'll come.  Well Hix, Missy's cancer is Just about gone.  This is 1894, & our parents were married in August of 1844. The 22 I believe, so count and you'll find this their fiftieth year.  a Golden wedding at the old home will be a nice way in which to honor our dear old Ma & papa.  Can't you arrange to come & take your part I want every child & Grandchild if possible, to be there.  (If they live until then) and bring some little token of remembrance or to send if they can't come Gussie will remain in the house with them for the present.  Effie & Henry are still down there.  Will come home Monday.  Kiss the children for me (three words cut off by copier) Jim, he has material in him for a man, give him a chance and yo'll be proud of him someday let me hear from you, Lovingly Zourie