Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1895-09-18 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.56Context
[Ada, OH, to Miss Bertha Lambert, Westerville, Ohio; Enclosure: Program for Philo Entertainment, 20 Sep 1895.]
Ada, O. Sep. 18, 1895.
Miss Lambert,
Westerville, O.
My Loving Bertha: Your letter at hand yesterday noon found me feeling better than anybody, but was sorry to know that you were getting out of work so nicely; perhaps dreaming of Lake Erie made you seasick.
It pleased me to know of your start in school and I trust that this may prove to be the happiest year you shall have spent. If I could only get sight of you once a day even, it would be a great inspiration indeed, but now I think, think — well perhaps you know how that is better than I can tell you. Three wks. closes this term and my mind naturally looks forward to a vacation (you know what kind).
It is doubtful about my getting away from here more than once ere holidays. I don't know about being able to stay away from you one whole term, my mind seems to rebel at the idea, so perhaps it would be better to take our visit about the first of Nov., however I had thought of asking how our vacation would suit you for a visit although I can go one time about as well as another just so we visit, that is the important part.
Had I known one year ago what a task our separation means I think some change might have been made. You make me smile at the idea of spending Sab. afternoon with you. You know there is no one who would take up with that idea sooner than I and what is best to me is I know you would rather have me than any one else, but if time continues going so swiftly as this term it won't be long Bertha until we shall have an unbonded right and privilege to so do. This is the busiest term I ever had here, Excursion, Songbook Com., membership com., Chman of Executive com., Stage work, Y.M.C.A., and now I sit in the big chair on the stage and tap the bell when they debate etc. I still care for Mr. Kraft, have stayed ten nights there.
I get off the executive com. now and so soon as I get out of the chair I shall cut loose from society work except stage work. Our Philo entertainment will be held Friday night. Where shall I find a girl? I went to church Sunday night to hear Prof. Schoonover. I sat up front pretty well and was very busy with my note book and pencil. The next morning I was very careful to ask several questions concerning the sermon. I don't know how many % he will give me extra.
I think your idea concerning music a sensible one, that is concerning opinions of music as an accomplishment, and certainly admire your ambition to secure an all round education.
I feel so proud to know that you have such a disposition that doubtless I walk I walk sometimes a little back from the perpendicular inclination.
I shall go in a few moments now to make arrangements to send for our song books, Gospel hymns Nos. 5 & 6 cloth bound. We get one hundred now and hope to secure more after a while. I see Miss Chandler every day.
She goes home soon, but has not asked to read my letters. Nine years ago today we were at a picnic at Mt. Hermon. Could it have been possible then to be awake concerning an education as we now are how much different might have been those nine years, but I don't believe in looking mournfully into the past, for nine years from now we may look back to this time and wonder why we did not see an open door.
Miss Betz has gone home so we are quite lonesome now. I will have another Y.M.C.A. lesson to get one wk. from next Sunday. Can you not assist in getting it? Yes that c't has an inspiring influence over me somehow and the thought of having the privilege to live up to it is best of all. I should like to say more, but time forbids now. Our interests are one and may God continue to add His blessings to my loved one and keep her very near the cross, making her life beautiful and pure.
Your devoted Lover,
J. H. Harris.
