Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1896-08-21 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.120Context
[Portsmouth, OH, to Miss Bertha Lambert, Westerville, Ohio, “Franklin Co.”]
Portsmouth, O
28 W. 6th St.
Aug. 21, 1896.
Miss Lambert,
Westerville, Ohio.
My Darling Bertha: I have been thinking so much of you today as you said you were going home, so I suppose you are once more around the home paths and I imagine you are having a nice time, joking, singing, working, listening to Otterbein's triumphs and failures (if he is at home) etc.
I am in my little room and it is now 8 P.M. The people who keep the house are aged and as kind as is possible for them to be. If I get blue? I can have my little cry? all to myself.
You wonder how canvassing goes in Portsmouth. Well I suppose something similar to Galion.
I spent most all day Mon. with the ministers or rather in hunting them so I made no sales Mon. Sold 13 Tues. Am uncertain about Wed. but have 6 sure and 8 probable. Thurs. 8. Today I sold 14 and have the promise of two more so I think I will do first rate here although it took hard work to get started. I got a letter from one of the boys who said he could not pay expenses in handling the Study. I think a person may be satisfied now if they make expenses. I surely would like to spend the Sab. with you, but suppose I must wait a while longer. I do not know yet when I can come in but will come as soon as possible. I trust you will commence school when it opens. Please do not worry about my absence as perhaps you can find a “point” for that length of time.
I go into some elegant homes here and it makes me rather look into the future and wonder where our little cottage may be situated.
However as I look about and study men and their surroundings I feel like saying that I will be in no hurry about leaving the school-room and I don't want you to leave until I do. So from present indications it seems that we will have to labor and wait, but the prize in view is worth sacrificing for. I have been thinking seriously about what arrangement to look forward to as to church relations, but we can discuss that later.
I wonder if I could find a “single” room in some secluded part of W. I shall likely room alone and board myself or in club. I shall not write much this time, but will remember you “Love” in my prayer.
So I will say good night.
Yours True as Ever,
J. H. Harris,
Portsmouth,
Ohio.
I shall likely stay here most of next wk.
