Evansville, Ind. Oct. 16th. 1874.Dear Sister Martha
Your letter of Sept. 25th reached me to day, many thanks for your kindness in answering. I did not know as you would answer before you reached India. I have already sent two letters, to you. I shall write as often as I can at least once a fortnight.
I was sick yesterday with the headache but am quite well to-day. I have a hard school to manage but they are quite bright and I have some very pretty pupils. I guess I shall survive however. I have taken a class in S. School, a class of 5 or 6 boys, ages ranging from 13 to 16, I think. I guess it wont [sic] be too hard for me and I want to do something for Christ. I enjoy going to church so much and don't really think it will hurt me, for it does me good and keeps me from worrying about my school, as I am a little too apt to do. I wish I was in a school where I did not have to govern but Mr. McCutchan laughs at me and tells me it is good discipline for me. I like Evansville and the people very much, yet I have wished 100 times I could have had a situation at Kalamazoo for it would have been so much easier for me in some respects than this but God has placed me here for some wise purpose and I shall do the best I can and leave the rest with God. I promise to let Cordelia know if Father is sick, but I do not at present know her
eaddress. I will write home however, and inquire. I think I shall make my plans next year to be nearer home if possible.It has been raining almost all day and the rain was sorely needed, it was so very dusty. I never was in such a dusty place before.
I have been reading "Ester Reid["], a religious story, some thing like "Stepping Heavenward." I have commenced reading Ecco Homo, I read it aloud to Hattie Evenings & liked it very much. Mr. Orr has a nice Library and he has given me permission to take any books. I wish for and read them whenever I choose. He has all Scotts and Dickens works, and a great many books that I wish to read, then he has a good many bound volumes of Harpers and several Encyclopedias. Besides there is a free Library here and I think a very good one. I have not heard from home this week I do not know what they are doing with themselves not to write to me but presume they are busy and dont [sic] find time to write.
Last Wednesday night they had a praise meeting here or what was called such, tho' some wandered from the subject, somehow they don't seem to have much life only a few speak in mutiny and women never do here so I thought I would and I got up and spoke in meeting. I wanted to do so and I was unacquainted with their regulations so they could not blame me, and as I cannot sing I must have some part. I suppose my letter will be very interesting, but there is little to write about. Thank you ever so much for your sisterly advice will obey you as far as I can & if I find it hurts me to go to meeting will stay at home tho' I hate to do so. I must close with ever so much love as ever and always.
Your loving Sister
M. Anderson.