Grass Valley, July 17th, 1858
Estimable Fair Damsel,
I have to apologize for an 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 an half hour since. I hastened to take from the Post Office, and as the time is so short, the Mail closing in half an hour. I have not only not time to read it but barely 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