Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1895-10-15 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.62Context
[Ada, OH, to Miss Bertha E. Lambert, Westerville, Ohio]
Ada, O. Oct. 15, 1895.
Miss Lambert,
Westerville, Ohio.
My Darling Bertha: Your love-inspiring message came to hand only a few hrs. ago and as this is the first day of the term I have only one recitation so I just want to get as close to you as this pen will allow. I imagine I see you trudging through the rain to the P.O. such loving devotion surely must be rewarded. I should be more prompt in writing and have a regular time so you would not be disappointed and anxious. I know if I should fail to get your letters on Tuesday morning there would be one downcast person at Ada.
I have no doubt Elsie would smile for a whole wk. if she should read one of these letters, but I have no doubt the smile would be prompted by different motives from yours. What think you? I thought of you so much this wk. Surely there is something wonderful in truly loving and being loved especially when you are that loved one. I rest in perfect confidence in you. Your perfect character and virtuous life is and always has been a great wall of protection to me. Yes I think sometimes it is surprising to know what depths of beauty and love are discovered every time we meet. Could I but prove my love and devotion to you, but that can be wrought out only in a perfect life and devotion toward you as we shall by and by walk hand in hand through life.
Yes “Dear” I think we may just go on through life, loving each other more and more if we just learn the secret of it and I think that secret is pure love and may God forbid that anything should occur in our lives that would hinder that love from so developing. I felt like taking the train Sat. morning, but thought best to wait for the next Democratic rally. They torment me quite a good deal about the “rally” at Columbus, but I enjoyed the rally at W. more than Col. A great many students are coming in and the societies are warring, but not quite so bitter as at some other times although one of the Franks pulled his coat last night.
If you will allow me to tell you my troubles I must say that I have been a little blue yesterday and today. Mr. Reck (of Smith's school) is our Y.M.C.A. Chorister, and a good chorister too, I had a long and difficult task to find anyone, but thought now everything was all right, when yesterday morning Profs. Lehr and Darst came to me and demanded that Reck be put out and another take his place. I told them we could get no one to take his place that I know of, but Prof. Darst said he would find some one. So far he has found some one for the Sunday meetings, but not for Sat. I told Miss Dickinson about it this morning and she was worse stirred about it than I. The music business is pretty bitter here now.
I shall have Trig., Latin, Greek and Literature perhaps this term. I makes me glad to know that you are enjoying your work so well. I can not help looking forward to the time when we shall study together and as I write the thought comes that tomorrow you hail your birthday. For twenty-three yrs. angels have watched your pathway, fond parents have looked upon you with tenderness and pleasure and now another life is mingled and entwined with yours to grow on and develop in one. It is quite natural that one thus related should note the anniversary of your birth and thank God it occurred at such a time as to make our ages congenial to uniting in one common interest.
My will is good to send you a birthday present but the nature of the present is such that I dare not trust sending it, so if you will accept it now and take my word for taking it when you get it, — all right. What do you say? It is a _ life size bust of Lincoln made of plaster and I think makes a fine bust.
I got it of Prof. Morse as I wished to remember him, but we can both remember him if you can have it to view. I may go in some other direction before going home again and can not carry it with me so if you can give it room it will be quite an ornament to your room, so if you do not object to receiving a present so openly (but why should I say this to my sweetheart?) I will bring it my next visit. I wondered at them stationing your father where they did, if I know where it is. Is it over beyond Amesville from our old home? I don't remember ever seeing the minister on Plymouth. It certainly will be a sacrifice to your father to go there.
I enclose a little book. I have two and of course will divide with you. We have a nice club of about 18 this term (two tables). They still honor me with the silver buttercup and napkin ring and head of the club. We have eight excellent young ladies. Nearly all of our club are Christians. Mr. Kraft rooms and boards here. He is bound to stay with me as closely as possible.
I have been reading Pierson's new acts of the Apostles and it stirs me thoroughly. I hope you may read it when you get time to do so. A short chapter of that read each day would be a great impetus to one's work.
I assure you it would be much more pleasant to be with you in person, and when we cease writing I trust it will be for closer communion.
It pleases me to hear of Ira's recovery. You must tell me about your medley. I must leave you for this time. Will you continue to be the same happy little girl and rest assured that you are dearly loved by the writer of these lines. May God lead us both and keep us very near to Him is the prayer of your devoted Lover.
J. H. Harris.
You may smile at 4¢ postage, but here it goes {J.H.H.}
