Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1896-07-14 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.113Context
[Athens, OH, to Miss Bertha E. Lambert, Galion, Ohio, “Crawford Co.”]
Box 219 Athens, O.
July 14, 1896.
Miss Lambert
Galion, Ohio.
My darling Bertha: You are looking anxiously for a letter and are wondering what is wrong but I will confess all. I came here last Wed. and found one of those sunbeams in the P.O. but I was too sleepy to think of writing that night and both Thurs. & Fri. evenings Carlos & Leonard were here so I thought surely I would write Sat. but having a good chance to go home and at the same time see to a little business that could not be done when I was there I went out there, took my Studies and came to Amesville in the forenoon Mon. and in the afternoon sold 8 Studies for cash and took orders for 4 more; about dusk I mounted Leonard's pony and rode over here all alone. There was not much talking done but while you were writing to me I was thinking much of you.
I took the pony out to Uncle Geo's this morning and returned in time to write a letter and send out an order before dinner; after dinner I went to work.
I have sold only 22 Studies since Thurs noon but of course have been bothered considerable.
I wish to commend you on the excellent work you are doing. I feel real proud of you indeed and if all the agts I have put out hustle as you are doing I can feel secure as to finance next yr., but before going farther permit me to just thank you real heartily for this evening's mail; It made me feel like home of our own. I feel complimented in the fact that you thought the subject matter of that little book would please me and nice as the book is I know it can not half express the good will and love that prompted the giver to send it. That little book stands for more that all the wealth of the Goulds and Vanderbilts and just to think it is all mine and all yours too. You have brought floods of sunshine into my life already and I know if I just allow it you will increase the amt infinitely more.
I would so much enjoy those kisses but as the time is short until school perhaps we had better try to wait as you say. As soon as I am through here I expect to go toward Gallipolis and Portsmouth or toward Col., but I think of retaining two or three good towns in that direction to work during holidays. If I do fairly well here I will not be afraid to go anywhere at all for I think I never saw greater dearth of spirituality than is exhibited here. I spent considerable time on the ridge but I don't think I will ever regret so doing. Yes this is my birthday and you seem to be the only one who remembered it. I feel almost like saying that I won't be 26 yrs old but old time mocks me when I say so. It makes me feel almost like quitting school but I dare not do that.
As to time for Rev to act in the capacity which you mentioned were I to consult my own selfish interests I would say quite soon but as I think of the fact that to follow Christ means denial of self I suppose he will have to wait a short time at least. In almost every sale of N.T. Study I sell the O.T. plan also. I think you would do well to visit those to whom you have sold N.T. for I believe most all of them would take O.T. I don't know as to the towns around there. If you could arrange to leave Westerville until school time, you will no doubt be able to do some good work there this fall and winter.
Yes I am glad to hear just how you get along and will rejoice or sympathize whatever the result may be. Edmond Smith's daughter of Amesville is to be married tomorrow, so there it is again now! I thank Mr & Mrs Mayne for their kind invitation and will be pleased to be remembered to them.
Your Lover
J. H. Harris Athens
July 15
I am up and about ready for work. I think that little book is just fine and will read it at once. Where you have an opportunity to let some one take your Studies to sell to the country churches where you cannot go I think it will be well to make such arrangements, {e.g.} if I leave 15 Studies with Mark Harris to canvass the class at Bethel I sell them to him @ 35¢ and in ordering from the Co. I simply state: Sold to Mark Harris 15 Studies @ 35¢ – $5.25 to canvass Bethel class, and they send you that no. @ 20¢ so it makes just that amt. extra.
I would so much to see you but I will pray for you every day and wait patiently. If you find no good towns up there to canvass you can go to Newark, Logan, or Lancaster and it may be you could work Col. as the agt there has not done much. Wishing you continued success I am still yours.
J. H. Harris,
Athens O.
P.S. Just rec'd a card from Mark stating that Alice is gradually sinking [J. H. H.]
