Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1897-08-24 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.154Context
[Box 219, Athens, OH, to Miss Bertha Lambert, Westerville, Ohio, “Franklin Co.”]
Athens, O.
Aug. 24, 97.
Darling Bertha: Your letter mailed at 2 P.M. today reached me this evening. You surely must have been in a happy and meditative mood Sab. P.M. Your letter was so filled with inspiration and love that it made me feel how unthankful and complaining I have been. I must get on a higher plane of Christian life. I wonder that God has dealt so kindly and wonderfully with me.
I am quite well and am working faithfully. Sometimes I think if I had a good job at my trade in view for next summer, I would be tempted to ask you to go with me and I would spend a summer at my trade and I know we could spend the evenings and Sundays together so pleasantly and profitably.
Where we have such work as we had at Spencer, it is more profitable than I would be likely to get in starting at teaching.
I said to myself at noon today as I went to dinner “I will eat dinner with Bertha Thurs.” as I thought we would get done sometime tomorrow, but as I came out from dinner the owner of the hotel where I board asked me if I would repair some chimneys for him. Of course I said “yes” and after supper this evening I examined them and find that four of them will have to be torn down to the roof and another perhaps built a little higher, which makes quite a job, but if the weather is good I think I can finish them this wk. and perhaps may be able to come to you Sat. evening, but I shall make no promises as I have put you off so often. I know we are both glad to have work as that was what we both prayed for last spring. I will be working for myself on this job.
It is because I love you the more dearly that I stay close to my work and while it is hard to be separated now, I prefer it now to being compelled to be away from you perhaps when it would be even more difficult than now. I dislike to impose on you, State Fair wk. which begins next Mon. as you usually have plenty of company then. Perhaps I can arrange to meet you Sat evening and Sun, returning Sun. night so I will be ready for work Mon. morning. You might state your preference if you have any choice. I think “Dear” you got your dates mixed up just a “wee bit” did you not? You dated your letter Aug. 29.
I suppose you were counting the time 'till school begins. Teachers' Institute is in session this wk. Alva Dille and Marvin Miller are staying here. This is also Fair wk. so we have a busy time, but I do not stop for these now.
And you are quilting! Well that sounds encouraging.
I wrote to the Sec. of the Educational Board, but have heard nothing yet. I feel encouraged to go on even if I have to wait another yr. God is good to us “Dear” and has led us safe thus far and I am so glad that He has made our afflictions all one {ie} we sympathize in everything.
It does seem sad that you should be so afflicted, but you have so many graces and powers that you are even to be envied (if I may use the term). Somehow I feel that we will get to carry out desire in going to the field. I want to talk with you about plans for further preparation for our work {ie} medical and Sem. courses etc.
Your letter was full of encouragement and may God comfort and guide us this wk.
Your Lover,
J. H. Harris.
