Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1895-05-12 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.32Context
[Ada, OH, to Miss Bertha Lambert, Bartlett, Ohio, “Washington Co.” on Ohio Normal University stationery. Enclosure: Card with the O.N.U. Yell.]
Ada, Ohio, May 12, 1895.
Miss Lambert,
Bartlett, Ohio.
My Loving Bertha:
Once more I take my seat beside you and feel the glow of inspiration that I know burns in your affections for even me.
The same is returned to you, and surely it is a pleasant way to spend the hour, but the sound of this pen brings me to realize that I am in the dusky room and that you are 175 miles away, but distance does not retard the glow of love that beams from my soul this evening. You talk about warm weather! Why I have the windows closed and a good fire in the stove. We had a nice frost this morning. It scarcely seems possible, but this wk. closes this term. Such a busy wk. as it will be too, examinations and com. work will be the howl. It is your busy wk. too. I should like to hear the closing cry-speech next Sat., for I know that will be a part of the program. Alva Dille will be here next Sat. so I shall be able to hear the neighborhood news. I have a room-mate now 77 1/2 inches long. He has to curl up a little to sleep an almost stoop to get through the door. He has a silk stove pipe hat which he says he will loan when I want to make a dash, so just look out when I come to W. He is a nice young man and as jovial as one could wish.
You will notice from the Herald that this was contest wk. and of course not much done in study.
You seem as happy as a sunbeam (which to me you are).
It is possible that this is my last letter to Bartlett as you I suppose still expect to go home at once? Perhaps I had better send my next to W. by the middle of next wk. I believe you have had a faithful mailcarrier as every letter has arrived without much delay. You will be able to P.O. yourself now. Some of your cousins have peculiar ideas haven't they? Well they all are gone but you, then you can follow the same example. But why should you feel old, just imagine that you are too young to get married and be as independent as anybody.
You say you are content if they are. Should you not rather say if they are content I am not, if they are not content then I am content? But we will discuss this later.
As to visiting you, if I come in two wks (May 25) I would return Mon. 27,. If in three wks. I would leave here Thursday, (Decoration) and would likely return on Sat.
You spoke of taking exam. at Col. and of course you will want to arrange our visit so it will not conflict with your examination.
As to commencement exercises at W. it would of course be a great treat to attend that, but really as time is limited I would prefer visiting you when you will be least encumbered by outside work, if that will be satisfactory to you.
A visit with you would be more highly appreciated than any other exercise or entertainment that might be presented to me now.
You will be better able to know about these things when you get home. I think sometimes I can scarcely wait that length of time, but will have to be patient. The warm breath of your love inspires new life and zeal.
The school and Y.M.C.A. work in general I leave till we meet under more favorable circumstances. May God continue His tender mercies to us and permit us to be useful in the world in winning souls to Christ.
I certainly wish you a nice time this wk. and a very successful close of your school.
So with the warmest of [kisses] to soothe the way, I bid you good-night love,
Your devoted Lover,
J. H. Harris.
