Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1897-08-22 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.153Context
[Box 219, Athens, OH, to Miss Bertha Lambert, Westerville, Ohio, “Franklin Co.”]
Box 219, Athens, O.
Aug 22, 1897.
My Darling Bertha: It seems that I have run you out of the opportunity of writing on Sunday. I did not do it intentionally, but I don't want you to work so busy that you cannot have time to write on wk. days. Your message came yesterday morning.
Your letters have to be put in office here the evening before in order to get the 6 A.M. train. I put one or two of your letters on the train which accounts for your receiving them the same day. I did not get full time this wk. but got check for $15.92. I was promoted 25¢ per day, which makes $3.25 per day.
I thought we would get through with our work Thurs. but we got four large chimneys to repair which will take us until Mon. evening and C. W. told me this morning he had gotten more chimneys to repair so I do not know when we will finish here.
More the better of course. I can be much better content to stay away from you when I am working as I know every day's work just brings us that much closer together, but it is miserable business for me to loaf about a hotel. C. W. has the lowest bid on the school-house, but he is not sure of getting it and if he does it will not be ready until school time, so the old question comes as to whether I should wait on that. I may see Mr Kintz about work at Logan as he has considerable work there. You see how I am situated. My calculations now are to come to you when we finish our work (how long will you let me stay?) whether I get into school or not. I may possibly send you a telegram so do not be alarmed if you get one.
I hope you may be very careful about your health. I like to nurse my sweetheart, but can do that when she is well and I think she would enjoy it more.
It is nice for you to attend the Fair and most girls would have gone to the “park.” I am perfectly content to leave such questions to your good sense and judgment.
Of course there is a great difference of opinion on such questions and I may be radical in my views as I am on some other things. I wish to see you have as much pleasure and satisfaction as possible and you must be the judge as to what will produce this. I think I know just how you felt exactly. I went to M.E. S.S. and Pres. church this morning. I wonder what you are doing now. If you have no company I suspect you are “napping a wee bit” 2 P.M.
Carlos is just starting out for a buggy ride with his girl. Perhaps it is not to my credit to say so, but I think I never paid out anything for pleasure-ride with a girl, but somehow I think I would rather reserve those pleasures until fitted to enjoy them. I think you understand that part. I think our time will come all right. I feel too lazy to write much as I anticipate a little closer communion with you ere long.
I think we ought to note any thought that may come up so we can be sure we get all when we have our visit. If you write soon I will be here long enough to get it.
With fond hopes for the future and a sacred kiss for you I remain your \ \ true Lover,
J. H. Harris
Evening and a nice rain. An organ man boards here. L. D. and I have been helping him sing for the last half hr. May God bless and keep you. J. H. H.
