Letter, Alex W. Feemster to Loulie Feemster; 9/18/1863

              Selma Ala. Sept. 18th /63.
Mrs. M. Lou Feemster;
                     Beloved wife;        Yours of the 10th was rec'd on the 16th, and read with avidity. But I am so bewildered with perplexity that I hardly know how to commence writing. Indeed I cannot see how it is possible for me to have you here, without our being in want and misery. I very well know, and you must know also, that your strength is not sufficient to make your own living. And just to show you how utterly impossible it is for me to support you here at present, I'll state a fact or two. My wage is $4.50 pr day, and there are 26 workdays in a month; 26 x $4.50 = $117.00. My board is $70.00 per month, washing $4.00 per mo, room expenses about $12.00, in all $86.00 pr. mo. without any allowance for anything except absolute necessities. So you see if I do not lose an hour from work during the month, I would have about $25.00 left. As to taking