Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1896-06-12 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.106Context
[No envelope]
Marietta, Ohio.
June 12, 1896.
Miss Bertha Lambert,
Westerville, Ohio.
My Darling Bertha: Here I am all alone and doing my best to keep from getting lonesome. I am rooming in private house, have a fine room just about $1 too fine as I have to pay $2 per. wk. for room whether I stay one day or seven, so I guess I will stay seven days. I think so often of how pleasant it will be when we can enjoy a little home of our own. I have had a very pleasant wk. and better success than at Athens or W. The students are very kind to me and I have been benefitted by coming here. My experience in meeting these schools I consider is worth much to me. It is surprising to know how many fellows are struggling to make their way. I see more than one pair of patched pants here. It seems strange to see no ladies about as their department is in another part of town so they are together only in the laboratory. I went to Chapel this morning and visited the library yesterday. It is the largest school library in the State. I called on the U.B. pastor and enjoyed his genial conversation very much. Wolf is his name. He was at Otterbein and still feels proud to know that he was a Philophronean. I visited the M.E. minister today and will call on Pres. Simpson tomorrow. I am going to see what they will do with my work here.
An old student told me that if I wanted intellectuality this was the place for me but if I wanted spirituality I had better stay away as their Y.M.C.A. Pres for two yrs now were expert dancers.
I called at Oscar's office twice and had a very pleasant and profitable time. I also met one of your old sweethearts, Will Hanson. I see Mr Van Valey most every day. I do not know how long I shall stay here so I scarcely know where to tell you to write next. You are now through with Com. and I trust you may get some rest now. Do not go at other work until you get schoolwork off your mind. I would like to tease you about one wk. myself, but I am living in hopes and think our time is coming after while.
When I left you I imagined there was feeling enough to almost produce a little tear had it not been daylight; I felt considerable that way myself and have felt lost ever since. One thing sure I must either go to W. to stay or else stay away entirely and I don't feel a bit like doing the latter. Had I Vanderbilt's income tomorrow I would spend Sunday with you sure, but since it is Harris's income perhaps I had better stay in Marietta. I had thought some of going up home but think I will wait now until my work is done here and then I expect to go out home and spend two or three days and do some work there.
You spoke of going to Iberia or that you had thought some of going there. I think the music work would be nice, but perhaps not so profitable. I rather hate to think about you canvassing although it is as honorable as anything else. I suppose if you canvass it will be for the music and perhaps the studies. Do not handle those studies unless you think you would enjoy it.
I will have a new Bible here in a day or two and if you want to work I will send one of mine until yours comes. The Co. has been slow in finding just what I ordered, so I don't know just when your Bible will be on hand, but since I will have two I think half of them should belong to you anyway.
I asked the Co. about Galion and they said it had been spoken for but thought that agt. would not get to it so they said to give it to you if you wanted it so the territory is in my hand.
If you write as early as Mon. evening I believe you may address me here. You are asleep now and are having sweet dreams. May God bless and keep my “Loved One” safe.
Your faithful Lover,
J. H. Harris.
