Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1897-06-21 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.134Context
[Athens, OH, to Miss Bertha Lambert, Box 344, Westerville, Ohio, “Franklin Co.,” written on Cameron House stationery; Enclosure: Postcard mailed inside the letter]
POSTCARD
11:15 P.M. June 20, '97.
Arrived safe, 45 min. wait at Col. Please pardon hurried good-bye at W. Just running into station now.
Good night, J. Hastings.
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Box 219, Athens, Ohio, June 21, 1897
Miss Lambert
Westerville, Ohio.
Darling Bertha: Here I am. I found Carlos at the station. I feel like singing something like “Swanee ribber” with a few changes in words. I might have stayed with you until this morning as the boss forgot the fact that they had to lay off today, however I have been very busy all day. I wanted to find out some things before writing. It is now about supper time. I saw the boss and he said for me to work to suit myself and he would make it all right with me, so do not worry “dear” anything about me in that respect. I owe it to you, to myself and to the future work to be cautious. The work will be hard, but Charley says I need not fear any man on the job when I get toughened a little.
What do you think! Carlos is rushing a girl here. I am astonished. He will beat me yet. Carlos says he believes Howard has a notion in his head for this Fall and Charley is still rushing a young school teacher.
I was sorry to rush from you as I did when I left you. I should have at least grasped your hand. I tried to express in looks what I felt as I looked back at you from the car, but no one could do that.
It seems to me I did not appreciate you as much as I ought and acted pouty sometimes, but I love you dearly, of course I do, and busy as you are your mind has been with me much today I know it has and you have prayed for me and will pray for me tonight. I feel like praising God for having given you to me and should I prove unworthy of you may God forgive. I will be in a rough crowd, most of them Catholics, but Jesus can go with me can He not “dear?”
He can keep you safe too. Take good care of yourself.
I will commence work in the morning. You see I wrote a card last night, but did not mail it when I learned we would not work today. I would have sent it had I known that my writing would be so delayed. My pen is bad.
Keep good courage and enjoy your vacation all you can.
I presume those Studies will be at Express office Wed. Perhaps Ottie will have time to see about them.
I went away without leaving any word for Ira or even thanking him for the use of his books.
Tell me anything and everything you can about yourself. It is you I crave.
I may board at Uncle Geo.'s and drive back and forth with Charley. All is well. Kind regards to all the family. I would like to be with you during conv., but you know why I am not, and I shall strive to work in the spirit of the Master.
May God bless you, Sweetheart. This is the best I can do.
Your devoted Lover
J. H. Harris
Box 219
Athens Ohio.
