Name/Title
AU Lambert, Bertha Elizabeth - 1895-01-19 letter to Joseph Hastings HarrisEntry/Object ID
1990.1.223Context
[Bartlett, OH, to Mr. J. H. Harris, Ada, Ohio, Box 479]
Bartlett, O., Jan. 19, 1895.
Mr. J. H. Harris,
Ada, Ohio.
Dear Joe: - Your letter just received, if I may call it a letter, for it seemed more like a bright sunbeam in this dark hollow than anything I have met with this week except the few which have found their way between the lofty structures of nature. Another week has rolled by since I last conversed with you and it has brought many blessings and pleasures. I find myself becoming interested in school work again and time does not pass so slowly. We too had quite a blizzard but more cold weather than anything else, only about two inches of snow.
Another snow of about four inches fell Tues. night, but the ground is almost bare again. I had a sleigh-ride at school yesterday also had my face washed which of course I enjoyed.
At our literary society last evening we voted to have an open session four weeks from tonight. We extend a cordial invitation to every one and would very much enjoy your presence. We think you will be fully repaid in coming but we will make no further requests for our society is surely of world wide fame? But we do wish to announce that we do not quarrel like the societies at Ada do.
And now, dear Joe as I stop and read your tender and affectionate letter once more and realize that you share in my joys and sorrows that you feel an interest in the work of my life as your own, that you sympathize in every tear, and are ready to share in every joy I realize that I have found “one that sticketh closer than a brother.” I thank God tonight for such a friend and by His help and guidance shall try to return the love and affection which has been given so kindly.
I can not express in words the thanks I owe you for your kind interest and sympathy in my work. Not an hour passes but it inspires me in my work and cheers and enlightens the dark hours which must necessarily come. I am sure your life shares my sympathies & desires in all your undertakings.
I surely thank you for the freedom you have manifested in expressing your feelings toward me. Never have I, in fiction or reality, seen love more severely tried and prove steadfast through it all. I surely could have no reason to doubt your true devotion. I sincerely and humbly ask pardon for any and every pang of sorrow which I have brought to you, for I realize that I have indeed brought sorrow to your pure and innocent soul.
By God's help I shall try and make the future more pleasant and if such were possible, to amend the past.
If I fail to express my feelings and emotions toward you I hope you will not judge too harshly for I presume it is natural for me to feel more of a timidity on my part. But I think my timidity has all disappeared judging from this letter.
Sun. Afternoon—
I will write a little more as I did not finish my letter last evening. I was at church this morning and heard an address from Rev. 19-8. Our protracted meeting begins tonight, which will postpone our entertainment for the present. Howard has just passed on his way to see Ella I presume. Your folks were all at church this forenoon, I think you might be at church tonight to come home with me? I always have to stay at Frank's on Sun. night.
“May the Lord watch between me and thee.”
Lovingly — Bertha
