17 August 1896

Manila

Miss Bracken tries to see the Governor General in behalf of Rizal — Would like to visit him alone instead of with the family — She has fifteen pupils — She is also studying piano — She remembers their life together in Dapitan — Professes her undying love.

[The original letter is in English][1]

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17 August Manila 96

DR. J. RIZAL

My darling Love

I received your most kind and welcomed letter dated the 10th Wednesday. I am very much surprised not hearing anything about if you have received the three Tyrnes of Foie gras: well! perhaps you have not received any other letters that I have written to you. I went to the Governor General today but unfortunately he is laid up with a severe cold, but his aidecam told me to go back in three days to receive an answer from him.

Dear I would like very much to go with your dear famaily, but; you know what I have written to you, I would like to go alone, so I can speak to you better for in your famaily’s presence we can be very free to each other.

I know my dear it breakes my heart to go and bid you good bye! but! dear what can I do; than to suffer until the Good God brings you back to me again. Your sister Choling came to visit me yesterday and she wants to give me her daughter Maria Luisa to me she says she had great confidence in me, well I told her for my part I am quite willing and satisfied but I have to comunicate with your first if you are willing, I have also many pupils about fifteen three dollars each and I am also studying Piano 4$ a month in Dna. Maria’s house one of my pupil, Dear I have to do something like that because I am always sorry thinking of you Oh! dear how I miss you. I will always be good & faithful to you, and also do good to my companions so that the good God will bring you back to me. I will try all my best to be good to your family especially to your dear old Parents “the hands that we cannot cut lift it up and kiss it or adore the hand that gives the blow” How it made the tears flew in my eyes when I read those few lines of you. Say darling say it makes me think of our dear old hut in Dapitan and the many sweet ours we have passed there.

Love I will love you ever, love I will leave thee never, ever to me precious to thee never to part heart bound to heart or never to say good bye.

So my darling receive many warm

Affection and love.

From Your

ever faithfull and

true till death

JOSEPHINE BRACKEN

P. S. the boys are very well I am giving my home pupils their lesson every night from 7 until 9 o’clock.

01-908 [Family]