Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1895-09-05 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.54Context
[Ada, OH, to Miss Bertha E. Lambert, Westerville, Ohio., on Ohio Normal University stationery.]
Ada, Ohio. Sep. 5, 1895
Miss Lambert,
Westerville, O.
My Loving Bertha: I can wait no longer to tell you how much I appreciated your message. The time between these messages in one sense seems very long. You spoke of missing me so much, well then you know how to sympathize with me. Your tender expression both in words and in looks has a magical effect on me someway.
I see lots of ladies here of course, but they have no power to fill the vacancy in my affections caused by your absence.
Had any one told me one yr. ago of the happiness that now exists because of you I should have been prone to doubt it. I certainly praise your success in your work this year.
Surely you could not ask better, and my heart beats with every pulsation of yours in all that you may do whether successful or not. Yes I delight to have you tell me of your work and certainly feel that you are to be congratulated on the start you are making in music. I thought of you a great deal about concert time and wished I might be with you.
Yes whether you take music or regular work this year I shall be with you in interest with all my heart just the same only perhaps you know my preference.
You spoke of the Herald. You surely are welcome to it all the time and if more convenient to you will just continue it, but if you are sure D. I. expects to take it all year I can discontinue yours and make you happy in some other way.
“Done more for you than you deserve!” Why Bertha! what have I done?
It makes me sad everyday when I think of my inability to bestow favors upon my loved one as most lovers do and as I would dearly love to do, but I look for a better day.
As to the pay, could you but realize the bliss and happiness you are constantly bestowing upon me, you would not have thought of that. Every day you repay me a thousand fold and doubly so on such occasions as your visit here. The question comes how can I repay you for your love? I think the only way to answer this is to make the preparation for life that will be conducive to your happiness in the true sense of the term. Everything is moving as usual here. Miss Betz gives me no rest. The girls at Toledo are doing nicely.
I suppose you noticed the cartoon in the Herald. That was Miss Betz and it is only too true as she was in bathing and got beyond her depth when one of the boys dived in and dragged her out. I have much more to say, but will wait a more convenient time.
So I will close with an imaginary demonstration that has been accumulating since you left.
Your Sweetheart
J. H. Harris
