Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1895-10-10 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.61Context
[Ada, OH, to Miss Bertha Lambert, Westerville, Ohio]
Ada, O, Oct. 10, 1895.
Miss Lambert,
Westerville, Ohio.
My Darling Bertha: I know you wondered this evening if you might get a letter but was disappointed, so it would be too bad to disappoint you tomorrow.
I took my last ex. this afternoon and of course feel first rate for this term. I have no reason to complain at the term's work although it might have been better, but considering the outside work it has been better than was expected. How much nicer it would be to sit by you and tell what I am trying to say. I don't know, but they can say what they please about lovers' separation I very much prefer to be situated so I can see my treasure every day.
There is an inspiration from personal contract that just seems to burn out of my life everything that may hinder from rising to higher ideals. Our last visit was certainly worth a great deal to me. Our visit in the upper room Sat. evening so enraptured me that I almost feel my self on the next mt. top when I think of it. But to turn to your letter, you had to wash dishes, had I been there you would have had help. I noticed that preacher sized me up very closely when we met him and perhaps he thinks I don't amount to much, but he will find out if he does any more than smile.
Of course I would expect him to smile, how could he avoid it in viewing such an inspiring object? I don't care so much for Dr. Custer's embraces as you don't enjoy them much. I never thought of the prospect of being bitten by that $5, but doubtless it will come about and I wish you might have the opportunity this very evening. I hope to make your life so happy that that gold will shine most of the time. I think you answered Miss Morrison very nicely only I do want you ever so much and were I leaving W. this year instead of Ada — well I don't know what I might want to do — but I would be tempted to cut your school days short unless you should go to school under a different name. I realize that frequent visits cause suspicion and I doubt not that your folks think I must have urgent business at Col. and are wondering in their minds if they can afford to adopt me. I am anxious to hear the result of Scioto Conference. You will have an Ada student after Holidays. He will be likely to be in your Greek. You want to be sure to meet him. He measures about 6, 4' and is considerably curved. He is the laughing stock of a great portion of the school and in one sense is to be pitied and in another sense I can not see that he is. He is studying for the U.B. ministry. He asked me to put him on a Y.M.C.A. Com. but I told him all the com. were full. I hope he doesn't go to W. if I have to follow him, although he may be fairly good in his classes.
I noticed that your Y.W. Con. is to be held this month. If you have an opportunity to go I hope you may take it. You spoke of studying the subject “Holy Spirit” in your Bible work, if you take it from the Bible itself I should be glad to see your work at some time if you keep a record of it.
Your question “Shall I look for you this wk.” rather stirs me, how I wish I might spend next Sab. with you. One of the boys here goes to Findlay every two wks. to see his chosen and I certainly think that would be nice.
I have quite a lot of work laid out for the three day's vacation. Prof. Morse will not get to go to Col. and W. as he intended as he will go to Pittsburgh next wk. How is Ira getting along? Tell Carrie to watch for that Adaite Mr. Baer, as I believe she was anxious to know when they were coming. I have pretty nearly gotten Mr. Fisher in the notion of W. Mother Heller gives us advice quite frequently. She was very much elated at seeing that note in the Herald and said “Well I don't care Miss Lambert is an awful good girl.”
Yes the time will soon roll round though it be years. I think sometimes that I just began to live this year and I anticipate increased happiness as the years go by.
True, things may change, but I think to any one who does not begin too high up the ladder there must be that certain sweetness which comes from having counted the cost and now earnestly and patiently toiling away to achieve its goal. I think we are now in a very critical period of our lives. Our future depends upon our sowing now and I sometimes tremble to think what a responsibility every moment bears with it.
I certainly admire your very sensible, to me, ideas on these questions they have been a great stay to me and as I sometimes almost waver as to decisions on school work, your suggestions come with great force realizing too that were you to follow the impulses of your nature you might say to shorten the time of our long looked for date but you are always weighing and counting and seem so cheerful and ready to be patient for the sake of bettering our future lot. I want to be led by the Spirit of God in these things. I thank God for having placed our lives so that we may be one.
I can not think but that God has created you and preserved you for this very purpose.
Although He has seen fit that in some measure you should be afflicted, yet in choosing you that never had a feather weight against you, but on the contrary it has always make you seem much dearer to me, and but for your comfort and pleasure I could never wish those tender eyes other than they are and if you have ever entertained an idea that I ever questioned about this in my mind I hope it may no longer disturb the mind of my sweetheart. May God bless and preserve her to His honor and glory.
We had Y.M.C.A. business meeting Tuesday night and Philo. Wed. night, you should have heard me organizing the soliciting campaign. We are going to win, but I wish I was out of it. I accept your good-night and send one in return.
Your Lover, J. H. Harris.
P.S. See Herald for account of accident. A young man attempted to board a freight here last night and as a result he lies a corpse. They sent for his folks but they are away visiting, they know not where. {J.H.H.}
