Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1897-08-02 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.147Context
[Box 219, Athens, OH, to Miss Bertha E. Lambert, Westerville, Ohio, “Franklin Co.”]
Chauncey, O.
Aug. 2, '97
Darling Bertha: Not knowing when I might have a chance to write to you I will commence operations at once. The carpenter, myself and another man are working here. I have been tearing off old plastering all day and feel as weary as when I used to study all the time. It is so warm and I sweat and got dirt all over me until I was black.
I am sitting in the store with a board on my knee as a desk and yet I enjoy it because I am talking to you. I may go to town tonight to arrange for the plastering, the train is due in about an hr. How my mind runs back to the old Mon. nights when we got our missionary and Bible lessons, saying nothing about the other little lesson that would creep in somehow. I thought I appreciated those hrs and I did but not so much as I should have done. That was a wonderful yr to me and I can hardly think about missing next yr because of the benefit there is to be derived from our association.
I never so much longed for a home and safe retreat as this summer and I would not for all the world think of retracing my steps in our relations. You have seemed so near to me all the time that it really has been a task for me to keep patient, but as you say we must be patient. As we have often said we preferred to make sacrifices now than after a while. Carlos and I were talking yesterday about expensive girls {ie} he thought they cost a good deal in buggy-riding etc. I told him I did not spend anything in that way. He thought you had too good judgment to think that that was the essential part.
Athens Aug 3, I came in last night, saw C. W. and he wants me to go back to Chauncey this A.M. and then return here to commence work on City Hall. Am on the train and wish I might stay with it to Col. I think I can work now, but it seems like a long while since July 7. I shall no doubt get a letter from you tonight. Good morning.
Your Lover,
J. H. Harris
