The Letters sat in several boxes, some bound in bundles with ribbons, some in their original envelopes, but more lay about loosely. A few were written in pen on fine stationery while others were scribbled in pencil on lined school paper or on the letterhead stationery of various stores and newspapers. More than a century had passed since the passionate declarations of love, jealousy, and despair flew back and forth between two young lovers, Josie Chafee and Salem Hammond. The story of Josie and Salem resonates today for their life-long affair exhibited the burning commitment, the soaring...