Letters of Luna Young Thatcher to George W. Thatcher, 1872-1878

1872-1878; Thatcher, Luna Young, to George W. Thatcher. Her correspondence continues while George is serving his mission in England. His health does not improve and they discuss his being released soon, which becomes a reality, as he is to be released about the first of May. She assures him that she no longer fears he will find an English girl as she states, "Deary, I have perfect confidence in you and trust in your love for me to guard you from female fascination. You will not betray my trust, my darling, I feel sure and therefore I am content." She has pictures taken of herself and of the children at Mr. Savage's photographic shop and sends them. Jealousy again surfaces when she asks if Fanny has sent pictures of her and her baby. She says, "I suppose it is not right to feel as I do about it, but it hurts me so much to think that another woman should have the right to pass as your wife, be spoken of as such. Do not think unkindly of me darling. I cannot help feeling this way. If it is wrong, I am sorry." Her expenses are discussed at length, noting that if he needs more money before he returns they will need to draw from the co-op. Her expenses have been great living where she does for there is always a house full of company. Her activities include going to the Salt Lake Theater--three times she has been in the parquet and sometimes in the box. Alice has taken her riding, but she has not attended parties, only those by invitation like Amelia's and in the Bee Hive House. George is to sail from England with the first company of emigrants. The thought of his return makes her "faint with happiness" and feels it will be almost more than she can bear. Discusses sending him money, moving back into the house, and fixing it up so it will be all in order when he returns. Wonders if he will be changed by his mission as some men who have returned domineering and overbearing. Again she has the recurring dream that he has returned and not come to Luna, but "to her" (Fanny) and treated Luna coldly, scarcely speaking or noticing her, and she is haunted by it. There is a report that Fanny intends to meet him in New York. It is impossible for her to think of someone else passing among strangers as his wife. If this report is true she is tempted to go there herself, regardless of the expense. Fanny is also moving back to her own home and Luna wonders why she does not stay with her mother where she is so carefree. She discusses the problems of polygamy as she tells about the sorrow of his sister since her husband has taken a young wife and has a baby. Says that it seems harder for Harriet to bear all the time, although Preston is kind and considerate. Brigham Young has written George and said for him to come home as soon as possible if need be. If he can not travel alone, have someone accompany him on the voyage. Luna feels this is proof of her father's interest in George. Luna asks George to bring a looking glass from the East. One about forty inches or larger as he can afford. George arrives home in late May or early June and by September 20 Luna is again corresponding with George in Logan where she sends her love to his parents. By November Luna is still in Salt Lake City wishing for his presence and sorrowful she must spend most of the winter away from him. December 30 and January 2, 1877-78, Luna is writing to George from Logan, still feeling lost without him. "Home is not home without you. It is anything but pleasant to be a widow, even for three weeks." New Year's Day had attended a family gathering at the home of her parents