Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1897-07-24 letter to Bertha Elizabeth Lambert - BEntry/Object ID
1990.1.144Context
[Box 219, Athens, OH, to Miss Bertha Lambert, Box 344, Westerville, Ohio, “Franklin Co.”]
Athens, O.
July 24, 1897.
Miss Bertha Lambert,
Westerville, Ohio.
Darling Bertha: Here I sit 8:50 P.M. just when I had hoped so much to be just about entering Westerville and if you got my letter this evening you will be, rather looking and longing hopefully for my appearance. I most wish you did not get my letter this evening. I am sorry, exceedingly so indeed that I cannot be with you tonight, but it is quite impossible now so I will do the next best thing, {ie} write you a letter. I will explain all. Uncle came home with team or somehow that I missed him and he went to Trimble at once so I have not seen him at all. I came out with Charley to uncle's tonight so I am in the country again.
Lest you may think strange of me not coming to see you I explain all, but perhaps you have guessed already. As you know I worked only three wks and that broken time. I drew pay for two wks and expecting to continue work applied all possible to meet some obligation. The other wk. is yet unpaid and some expenses go on just the same.
It seems necessary to be as economical as possible as I may have two or three wks yet to loaf according to the Dr's statement. I am not fearful of hunger, and I can buy stamps yet.
I was thinking today that you could not be blamed if you should hesitate to unite your fortunes for life with one who seems so incapable to provide a way for our being together more but I resolved to be honest with you and simply explain to you the situation.
I do feel that our love should not be trodden down with such disappointments as these, but I don't see how to avoid it at this hr.
If things come about all right I expect to visit you at once, but I cannot say just now how that will be.
You have been so very patient and kind that it seems now like an imposition on you. If you are waiting then we are both disappointed.
There will be an excursion of half fare to Col. tomorrow but the first train leaves Athens 12:25 noon so it gives only a short time to be at W. I expect to make you twice glad when I come.
I am so sleepy I think best to retire. I think you could keep me awake. I would be willing to sit with you even if you had eaten a qt. of onions, I ate some for supper. Good night.
Sunday morning 5:30. While you are taking your morning nap and dreaming of me I will talk to you. Charley was out to see his girl last night. The services here today are in the afternoon so I have all the forenoon before me. I shall go out to town tomorrow and will then decide what to do.
Only six wks more and school takes up again. It does not look now like it would take me so you will have to be looking for another “point.” It sounds rather favorable and nice to hear of you piecing quilts, just let the good work go on so encouragingly in every line. I have not studied much so far. We had company most of the time I was at home, but I must get to hustling now. I have thought some of taking up those Bible Studies. I will send you word for those Studies if I do so. Perhaps I ought to arrange to take a school for this winter, there are four schools open in Berne Tp. yet. I would rather talk with you on that before making a decision. If I can get work at my trade it will be more profitable than teaching here. Somehow I cannot help thinking that I will be in school a part of the winter, but of course cannot think of completing the work so far as I see now. If your health will permit I shall not think but that you shall go on regularly. I am thankful that things are so well arranged as they are and if your eyes get strong I shall feel that we can suffer most any inconvenience to atone for it, so we will go on patiently.
A certain person gave me a hint on long courtships. Perhaps I am guilty but some married people might have done as well if they were still courting. I meet some discouragements on school work and especially on study for the ministry, but I am becoming almost discouragement proof in those lines. I am striving to live a calm Christ-possessed life and aim to speak along some lines only when questioned.
I have not had an opportunity to tell father of our plans, but I know it is all right with him. All seem interested but of course say nothing. they are all so kind to me and I feel sure they wish us well so far as they are in sympathy with our work. One of the hardest things for me is the fact that the boys (my brothers) take so little interest in church work.
Perhaps I am at fault but I have been asking that I might be guided in dealing with them. Do you know Geo. Comfort's address? I want to write to him with reference to the missionary work for this yr.
I don't know that I need say more. My love still glows for you and I feel so restful and happy in you and feel so certain that you were intended for me and if we are permitted to work together and I can make the way pleasant for you, life will be sweet to me indeed.
Do not think that I am over discouraged at all for I am not so much so as I was last Spring sometimes while at W.
I tell you my circumstances and how I view these things because I would feel hurt if you kept such things back from me.
All will turn out well in some way. I certainly do want to see you, it would be such a fine treat, just to think I haven't had a kiss for five wks, but I know there are a whole lot ready for me if I just go after them, and you want to get rid of them don't you? July 26 P.M. at town. I saw C. W. this morning and he wants me to go to Chauncey to oversee some repair work tomorrow or next day, so I will go there so far as I see. You may address me here please.
Pray that we may be used of God wherever we may go.
Your lover,
J. H. Harris.
