Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1896-01-07 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.77Context
[Ada, OH, to Miss Bertha E. Lambert, Westerville, Ohio, “Franklin Co.,” Enclosure: Invitation to a Y.M. and Y.W.C.A. Reception in Philo==Franklin Halls.]
Ada, O
Jan. 7, 1896.
Miss Lambert,
Westerville, O
My Darling Bertha: Your most welcome and soul-inspiring letter at hand finds me still enjoying good health and keeping company with my books. My studies are Analytic at 10 under Prof. Correll, Homer H at 11 under Prof. Michel two in class, a lady and myself, Literature at 1:40 under Prof. Darst, Livy at 6:30 P.M. under Prof. Schoonover. I have felt somewhat discouraged as we had quite a time to form our classes, but one more term I suppose will end their trouble with me. Your letter just lifted me clear up out of myself so that I feel a burden removed.
I suppose you will coax me to stay longer next time, but I think two days and three nights makes quite a visit since we were together almost all the time; of course a life time visit with you would seem short. No, your coaxing would have been of little avail I think, sad as it was to part from you, for I had my work mapped and have lived up to it. I feel so much at home in your family that I do not think it necessary to wait for any special or urgent appeal, for I know my Bertha wants me to be with her and had I not felt at home with you I should never have striven to win the hand that awaits me, so I know my presence delights you and as to the family I presume they expect to put up with some inconvenience with me in the hope of getting rid of you after a while (?). I certainly desire to be with you more, but somehow I just feel that every minute now counts a great deal for our future happiness and whenever I deprive myself of your company, “Dear,” you may rest assured that the sacrifice is made with the end in view of making the future more bright and happy for you, but let me say that in the next visit I shall map a little differently perhaps.
I believe though I told you my time was yours up to Jan. 11. I too realizing that we must be thus separated try to dismiss that part from my mind, but I keep you in mind all the same, and I can not think that we are always to be separated. I received a letter from Seth stating that he expects to start into school this wk.
Alice is no better. I wrote to her last Sunday. When you have time I wish you might write again also, although I presume she may not be able to answer many letters. The people are tormenting me about inauguration at Col., but I tell them I prefer a few more rallies before inauguration. I want to attend the State Y.M.C.A. Convention at Mansfield Feb. 20–23.
Jan. 9.
As you see I am a little slow, but quite sure. I attended our reception (Y.M. & Y.W.C.A.) last evening and had a very pleasant time. One of the boys inquired for me and on finding him I found Mr. Nesbith, a member of John's church at Iberia. Mr. Mayne had told him to inquire for me. He came in this wk. You perhaps know him. I am glad to know that your services were appreciated at Iberia, but as you say it would be better if you could get something a little better financially. Of course you are now in school and are enjoying yourself nicely. I wish we might recite together. As this is leap yr, I think you will have to do the travelling and I the entertaining so when do you think of coming to Ada. You can stay just as long as you like. Does Mr. Cornetet room at your home now if so he will get to see you run. I think the time of our separation will seem short as already almost two wks have passed and I trust that in eight more we shall enjoy our longed-for visit. I sometimes wonder that you are so considerate and patient, but I presume it is because you are looking into the future. You are such a meek and loving little girl that I can not tell when I am causing you disappointment and sadness. I look forward every day with extreme pleasure to the time when short visits and letter writing will be a thing of the past, when every day I may steal (?) those gushing demonstrations from your pure lips and abide in your pure love and affections. May we be safely kept in our work and may it please God to crown our united efforts with success.
Your true and devoted Lover,
J. H. Harris.
