Name/Title
AU Lambert, Bertha Elizabeth - 1896-01-05 letter to Joseph Hastings HarrisEntry/Object ID
1990.1.275Context
[Westerville, OH, to Mr. J. H. Harris, Ada, Ohio, Lock Box 28]
Westerville O. Jan. 5, '96.
Mr. J. H. Harris
Ada O.
My Darling Joe: — I have come to the desk to spend an hour with you. How different from one week ago, but it seems that we must be separated, so I try to think as little about it as possible. I believe if you were here now, in spite of what authors say we would have to have some fire. It keeps us almost busy to keep warm.
I rec'd your letter yesterday and Mother seemed to think strange that I must read it twice. It was surely a lovely letter. I was really ashamed to send my last one for I almost quit in the middle of a sentence, and did not have time to see how many mistakes I had made. I wish I might have done your patching for you, if it were proper under the present circumstances. I am glad if you enjoy the book I gave you, for indeed I enjoyed giving it. As for the gifts you have given me, I assure you I have never seen any thing crude about them, and thought my little gift was very insignificant when compared with that bust of Abraham Lincoln. The past week was spent in doing a little of everything. It was almost too cold to go any place and so we just enjoyed a good time at home. I have read about half of the first book of “Emerson's Essays” and I think it excels any thing I ever read. I noticed recently that it is considered the greatest American book, which is quite a complement on the gift I think.
I can not say I am fully decided about my studies as yet, but rather think I will take something in music if I can arrange for it. I am beginning to get quite anxious for school again, it seems like a long time since it closed. I really wish you might go to Chicago University, if you do not come to Otterbein, even though it is so far away, it surely has superior advantages.
I shall not be satisfied to think of you closing your school work when you leave Ada, for I would feel that it was on my account, and I believe you would regret it in the future.
8 P.M.
I have just returned from church and will talk some more.
I went to church tonight as the minister gave us a talk at prayer meeting the other night about staying at home from church on Sun. night. I wrote a long letter to Lucy soon after you left and received an answer. She is almost as prompt as you. She spoke of the death of a young man who was engaged to one of my friends at Iberia.
She thinks there will be about as good an opening for me at Iberia next summer as last, but I want to find something better if possible.
I hear of quite a number of weddings among the students, I also notice some in the Herald. The professors here think it is almost a criminal act to become so much in love that they can not wait until they get through school.
I hear that the Brenner twins are coming back to O.U. instead of going to Ada. I have been watching for Mr. Barr but have seen nothing of him, but I presume he will be on hands.
Lucy thought your visit was very short, and I thought so all the time, but I thought you had your arrangements made and so did not insist. I will know that you only want c[???]ing the next time. I will risk the board business, Carrie says you never eat anything when you are here.
May the Holy Spirit guide and direct us in all our work.
Your loved one
Bertha Lambert.
