[The letter had no page breaks, so some are added hear for ease of reading]Evansville Ind. Oct. 3rd 1874.
Dear Sister Martha
I want to have written to you Wednesday night or Thursday night but was sic with the headache both nights and was out of school two half days, went up yesterday afternoon with a raging headache to take charge of my school, but Mr. McCutchan the Principal of the Buildings (he has 3 under his charge. 12 schools or more.) told me to go home and rest he is so kind to all his teachers and so very helpful, always ready to advise and if he finds fault it is done in so kind a manner that we cannot take offense. Every body likes him. Mr. Gow too has been kind to me and all the teachers. Mrs Parsons and family are so nice & I enjoy boarding here very much.
Mr. Orr and Katie are as good as can be. Mr. Parsons and Mr. Orr are both such earnest Christians. I admire them more and more the more I see them. I have taken a class of boys in S. School, boys of 12 or 13 years. I enjoy the Sabbaths so much and they are such a help they give me renewed strength for the trials of the week. I go to S. School at 9 oclock, then to Church Service, then home, then to Ladie's [sic] Prayer Meeting in the evening at 6-30. then to evening service and it does not tire me either. One of the teachers of the Primary Schools here, a Miss Woodberry is a native of Leverett, Mass. and used to teach in Conway Pumpkin Hollow. Susie Howland and her brothers Willie & Sammy Howland were among her pupils. Mrs. Gilchrist, a lady whom I have met is also from Mass and a graduate of the Sem. and she tells me if I get blue to call on her and she will cheer me up by talking about the Sem. and old friends there. The people here are all so friendly and pleasant. I like them much. They have a free Library here and Mr. Parsons proposes that we get books and take turns reading aloud evenings.
I have my trials in school of course, like other teachers but Mr. McCutchan tells me above all things not to worry, to go out calling evenings or receive calls and go to bed and sleep nights and not to think of school out of school hours. Oh he is a jewel of a man! I have bought me a new calico dress and Hattie is to make it. It cost less than $2.00. It is so dusty and dirty here that we have to wear dresses that will wash in school.
I expect I have been guilty of apiece of extravagance, but I have bought me a black silk dress. I dont [sic] have to pay for it all at once. It was a very nice piece and was only $2.50 per yard. Kate who is a judge of such things says it is as nice as silk which is sold at 3 or 4 dollars per yard. I thought it might be the cheapest in the end and I always wanted one. Now I shall not have to buy me another nice dress this year. You spoke of my getting me a light silk in the Spring and Hattie says I could not wear it long in this climate without ruining it and that my white dresses which will wash are just the thing for summer. Kate thinks I can have my winter drak out over at no great expense as it is such nice material and shall have to have a new hat that is about all I have underclothes enough to last a year. I thought a black silk would be more serviceable than any thing else, and I hope you wont disapprove. I have to dress here more than at home but shall try to be economical. I rec'd pay for a month's work last night, duty [?] pay every month. I do hope you will get rested.
Mother wrote you were very tired when you went away I wish I could have been there to help you. Mother wrote than [sic] Susan had been sick, but was better and I guess Mother has been working rather hard. I wish she would not. I would have liked to have seen Delia. Write and tell me all about your journey and your surroundings and what steamer you sailed in how you went &c. I think of you very often and pray that God will keep you safe and make you the instrument of doing much good.
With ever so much love
as ever your affectionate Sister
Mercie Anderson.