Grass Valley, July 17th, 1858
Estimable Fair Damsel,
I have to apologize for my absence from Grass Valley, which has rendered me, no doubt in your eyes, a dilatory correspondent, but as this absence has been on business, I presume I can tender that as a sufficient resolve. Your kind letter, immediately on my arrival in town, which has been only half an hour since. I hastened to take from the Post Office, and as the time is so short, the Mail is closing in half an hour. I not only have no time to read it but barely have time to write this. Please, therefore, excuse me under the circumstances till next steamer, but write in the meantime that long letter you spoke of not having had time to write some time ago, and I will, in the meantime, continue.
To remain,
Respectfully,
Your Obedient Servant,
E. F. Delancey
Miss E. F. Dimond
Salisbury
New Hampshire
With a California Magazine