Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1896-10-06 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.130Context
[Lancaster, OH, to Miss Bertha Lambert, Westerville, Ohio, “Franklin Co.”]
123 W. Wheeling St.
Lancaster, Ohio.
Oct. 6 1896.
Miss Bertha Lambert,
Westerville, Ohio.
Darling Bertha: Your “Sunshine” came to hand in due time and found me feeling as well as a lonely “lover” could well feel.
I wrote to you as soon as I arrived as I know there is always a feeling of anxiety attendant the departure of our friends. I realized that so much when you left me at Ada that I thought then I would always be punctual in that respect.
Of course I shall try not to worry on account of your affliction, but “Dear” it makes me feel sad to know that you have to suffer and that it inconveniences you so much.
I believe you will not continue your work at the expense of your health, but perhaps you will not be troubled long. However should you be compelled to lay your work aside do not worry at all so far as our relation is concerned. You are my “Loved One” and it is you, you alone and not your surroundings, education etc (however helpful they may be) that I seek. No doubt your next letter will tell my you are in school.
You must have strained your eyes in looking at me so much(?). It was too bad(?) to be run off(?) before breakfast, but just give me a chance and see if I don't run back again faster than I ran off. Do you see?
I am very fortunate in securing good places to stay. I am in a good Christian family and everything is in perfect order. My work so far has not been very promising here but perhaps I can make up for it later.
There has been a great deal of political enthusiasm. Last Sat. I heard the Lentz & Watson debate, which I believe you have at W. this wk. also. Lentz had it all his own way here.
Last night I listened to the “Silver” Prof. Powers of N.Y. He used stereopticon views and I never heard anything to equal it in the way of a campaign speech. He held his audience for two hrs and forty-five minutes and I think the majority would have willingly listened that much longer. But as you are for gold you care very little for this kind of talk. Prof. DeMotte lectures tonight.
I have visited Mt. Pleasant here which was the scene of Lewis Wetzel's and Albert Maywood's defence against five hundred Indians and at the same time Maywood found his “betrothed” who had been stolen by the Indians eighteen months before. I went up on the rock and imagined the scene and then went down to town and read the story “Forest Rose.” Rose Forester was Albert's betrothed. I attended the M.E. ch. Sab. morning and Pres. in the evening. I rec'd a letter from Mr. Fisher at Wooster.
He thinks he will not join society there. I have nothing definite yet about school but am full of hope. I had hoped that we might get a rest from our continuous correspondence but as the best way is hedged to us we can be thankful for the next best and continue our correspondence.
After getting settled down in my room Thurs night I spent most of the evening with the blessed “Old Word.” I tried to tell the Master all our plans and asked His blessing to rest upon me then. I continued quoting His promises and then asked that the way might be made very plain and that power should be given to overcome obstacles and I received such a blessing that I felt a perfect calm and repose and I have confidence to believe that all will end well. If my work does not prove profitable enough to permit me to enter school we must not chafe nor fret. If it takes a long time to get through school I will know how the means came. God is good and just and will make every sacrifice we make count in eternity.
You have felt the hand of affliction all your life, but that does not hinder you from being the “dear” and “loving” little “girl” you are and you can do a work which no one else can do. And those weak eyes are much prettier to me than any well ones I ever saw, and you are constantly overlooking my own defects which others see with critics eye. It is a great plan which we cannot understand, but I thank God that we are one except in the eyes of the law, and that cannot hinder our thought can it “Dear?”
Wed. Oct 7, All O.K. and hope this may find my Sweetheart in good health. Unless you hear from me again please address me here.
Your Lover,
J. H. Harris
Lancaster, O.
