Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1896-10-15 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.132Context
[New Lexington, OH, to Miss Bertha Lambert, Westerville, Ohio, “Franklin Co.”; Enclosure: A book for Bertha's birthday with a bookmark. The inscription on the bookmark follows the text of this letter.]
New Lexington, Ohio
Oct. 15, 1896.
Miss Lambert,
Westerville, Ohio.
My Darling Bertha: I really wonder what you are doing this evening and if you are well again. I have thought so much of you this wk. and wondered how soon I would be able to see you. I left Lancaster Wed. morn. and stopped at Bremen until this morning when I came to Jc. City where of course I met J. W. Willis and family. Ida as you may know is married. Jesse, Louisa and Mary are (what kind of omen is this, I commenced my letter backwards [referring to the fold he started the letter on]) at home. Mary seems just the same as ever. I had not seen any of the family except J. W. since they left Hermon. I came here this evening and the first man I met was Mr Binckley an Adaite whom I knew well. He took me to his room and entertained me very highly. I shall not be likely to stay here long as I wish to get into Athens for Sunday. Perhaps you noticed that Miss Betz was married at Lancaster on wk. ago today. I didn't know it until the next day or I should have been tempted to be present. Willis gave partial reports of conference and I learn that Mr Lambert is more favored in his work this yr than last and of course we are all glad to know that is true. I have that picture before me again and am talking to it but you seem a little selfish(?) tonight as you won't look at me at all. But I guess you did not care about looking at me much when that was taken at any rate, but that makes no difference now.
I hope you are situated so the hours are not too long for you. I am sorry you have to suffer and miss your much cherished work, but your are so patient you bear those things so differently from most people. As I received no note this evening I take it for granted that you are no worse. I may go direct to Athens tomorrow as this is mainly a Catholic town. I don't know what to say as to where you may address me. If you hear nothing further from me by Sab you might write to Box 219 Athens if you feel like so doing (if you can't read the following wait till I come).
This is so near your birthday that I will presume to address you as though it was tomorrow. For several yrs I have looked upon Oct 16 as a day quite sacred to me. Had I known 24 yrs ago that on that day the “Joy” “Pride” and “Blessing” of my life, yes the better part of my own real self came to light, I might have yelled even louder than no doubt I did.
I have for some time been looking forward to this time and hoped I might be with you tomorrow as I believe we never spent a birthday together and I am coming to realize more than ever how much we have been missing in different ways. And as I look at those features this evening an overwhelming feeling of love and admiration arises in my mind at the thought that she is mine now and forever, what greater boon could I ask. I cannot explain it but flow the waters ever so deep that very feebly expresses the degree of love that comes from an honest heart in thoughts of you “sweet girl” and I shall never be satisfied in that sense until we are made one in the holy bonds of wedlock.
I admire your intellectual powers and the determination you have to be up and doing in that direction. That certainly ought to be an inspiration to any man and I shall be sadly disappointed if we are not privileged to feast together intellectually to a great extent as well as in other lines.
I admire your manner of reserve which puts me on my dignity and makes me feel that I must step up a step or two to reach you instead of stepping down. Your sweet disposition has often reminded me that no jars shall be tolerated in our home. Your moral force insures chastity and makes secure the heart of the one trusting in you.
Your devotion to home life makes one think of the blessings of home and causes a longing to see those same ideas developed in a cottage of our own.
Your deep spirit of piety insures the enthronement of Christ in our household and lives. Your spirit of self sacrifice sets me on guard all the time for fear of imposing on you.
I admire your address and I do not flatter when I say that I admire your physical beauty and form and those eyes which have been so painful to you have always seemed pretty and fascinating to me. Your habits of economy and thrift are certainly commendable and your playful and cheerful disposition brings sunshine to the heart trusting in you.
I would not forget the power of inspiring song. The fact that you hail from the center of a loving and refined home and that you are esteemed as one of the pillars of sunshine and strength in that home has its weight.
I might go on for pages in this way, but it is not necessary. The grandest feature above all that I have mentioned is unexplainable and that is that if you had none of these other traits mentioned there is in you a certain spirit entity which corroborates my own and fills every avenue of my nature clear to the fullest.
I don't know how this is but I know that I love you truly and affectionately.
You perhaps have your faults but I don't see them. I have faults, but I believe you can mould them out and thus be the means of better preparing a soul for eternity. I trust that not many birthdays shall roll around until we shall walk hand in hand heart in heart in all our deliberations and plans. Be assured that my highest joy is realized only in your presence and that the pulse of happiness is regular only when tuned to your love. I am very thankful because you were born into the world and that you were born for my happiness and the glory of God. I certainly feel a debt of gratitude to your parents for having so kindly cared for you and gave you the opportunities of culture as best they could. I don't know how better to express my appreciation of this day than simply to send this letter expressing my feelings more than anything else can. May blessings rest upon you ever is the wish of your Affectionate Lover,
J. H. Harris,
Box 219
Athens, Ohio.
[Bookmark]
See
Hallowed day Oct. 16, 1896. Not for the money value but for the influence of the beautiful life flaming in these words recorded in this little book. May your life be even more beautiful. A Lover's token, nobody but Joe H.
