Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1897-08-03 letter to Bertha Elizabeth LambertEntry/Object ID
1990.1.148Context
[Box 219, Athens, OH, to Miss Bertha Lambert, Westerville, Ohio, “Franklin Co.”]
Aug 4. 5:20 A.M. Good morning.
Box 219
Athens, O.
Aug. 3, 1897.
Darling Bertha: I came down from Chauncey at noon and went to work on Cy. Hall (in which is the P.O.).
It was dreadfully warm but I got along first rate and have begun to think about earning a few pennies.
After supper I walked up to the P.O. and found your message which was soon read, having “Ethic[s]s” with me I went to the college green and read until dark and now here I am dripping with sweat.
Your letter was a sweet morsel indeed. I think you will certainly be a nice little housewife as well as a loving and helpful companion. I have thought of that so much.
I would like to be about and see how well you do.
As to the dream, it beats nothing, but the real thing would certainly be wonderful.
I think I can stand the work all right and will do my best to secure good work all fall. I don't know when I shall get home again. I have never said anything to my folks about our plans as we seem so indefinite as to the future. Sometimes I think I cannot wait longer in taking you to myself, but perhaps your suggestion as to patience would apply here so I go on, but I think our separation has developed some ideas that I wish we might talk over together. There will be opportunities to visit you no doubt when I have no work or when there is an excursion.
I thank you for being so reasonable and considerate. I knew that you would be because you know that my love is such that I want to be with you. If you get up at 4:30 I think there will be no trouble about getting you up early.
I know that you see beauties in my life. I know that you love me dearly, I never have any doubts as to that and my constant is of how we can best work together in doing the Master's will. I believe that we shall be permitted to work together. I have no doubts as to that, but somehow the way to our work seems rather obstructed. No I did not take your letter as a scold at all. I appreciated it and felt that it came in a loving and sympathizing way. You seem to understand how to manage me.
If I get a chance to visit you and have not time to let you know I may run in on you, but will let you know if possible as I think that is proper. I expect you have gone to bed now and have offered a prayer for me at your bedside. I often think of how sacred and blessed it would be to bow together in prayer as we have so frequently done. Those memories are sweet.
Hoping this may find my “pet” in good health and happy I remain your constant and continuous Lover,
J. H. Harris.
