Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1897-08-18 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.152Context
[Box 219, Athens, OH, to Miss Bertha Lambert, Westerville, Ohio, “Franklin Co.”]
Box 219, Athens, O.
Aug. 18, 1897.
Darling Bertha: Your letter just rec'd a few moments ago made me smile all over my face. I feared you might be sick as I usually got your letter not later than Tues night.
My fingers are rather clumsy for writing so I may not get much written.
We are rushing our work as it is up so high and we want to finish before rains come. We have nothing definite in sight yet, but C. W. may get the brick school house at Stewart and if so, that will keep us for several days.
It will take us about all wk. to finish this; so “I go on not knowing, I would not if I might; I would rather walk in the dark with God than walk alone in the light.” Prof. Fay of the college here was married this P.M.
Our time will come by and by. Every letter makes me feel that it is considerable nearer. You need not be uneasy about not expressing your love. I know you are rather reserved in disposition but I see much more behind that and I can read between the lines you write that your whole affections are centered in me. I know that you love me more than you can tell, so you shall be at liberty to express all you desire when we have our visit.
My mind runs back to three yrs ago tomorrow evening when we arranged for our correspondence.
I thought that was a wonderful boon, and so it proved to be, but what was that compared to now.
The thought came today that you and my trunk constituted my possessions but there is not enough gold in the U.S. or even the whole world to tempt me to sever my claim on you.
So I am rich except in money and somehow I think when we get out we can have as much of that as will be needful to make us comfortable and happy.
It scarcely seems like ten yrs since mother's death. For nearly ten yrs I have been away from home except when I taught and so far as I am concerned individually I prefer most any kind of shelter so it is home, but I cannot think of taking you from your pleasant home unless I could take you to one that in some way at least furnishes your present comforts.
I trust this may find you feeling better as I have feared it might be about your turn to have fever.
I never heard you complain at all scarcely although I have known for some time that you were not very strong, but that only brings you more tenderly near me.
Perhaps you had better not attempt to make up your work at all, although I know you are anxious to do so. Simply let it go for this vacation. Aug. 24, 25, 26 will be held Athens Co Fair.
Much more comes to mind but I can give the gist of it all in saying that I love you tenderly and feel like working and waiting patiently on until the goal is reached.
You are a comfort and solace to me wherever I may be placed and I hold your love as a sacred trust as coming from God.
May He guide and keep us both as seems best to work out His will.
Your devoted Lover,
J. H. Harris.
