Easthampton, Mass.
Oct. 6, 1907.My dear Lucy:-
You must think I have forgotten you, but you know how easy it is to put off writing letters.
How are you feeling now? Much better, I hope. How does Mary enjoy College? If you visit her, I hope it will be so that we can see each other.
I haven't been over to College yet. The Teachers' Institute is to be held in Northampton, Nov. 1 and I think I shall go to College afterwards and a day or two. What was the lady's name, at whose house your mother stayed? I can't recall it now.
Now, I suppose you want to hear about my school. I have ten scholars, of whom six are boys and four, girls. At first I had eleven, but one did not belong to this district, so had to leave. I have all grades from the first to the sixth with the exception of the third, which I do not have. The first and second grades go home at recess. There are two French children and one little German girl. The rest are Americans. I enjoy teaching, although I know I would like High School better. I think the Superintendent made a mistake when he said it was the easiest school in New England, for I have found the boys very full of mischief and rather hard to manage.
I like the Kingsleys with whom I board. They are young people and have a little boy, Joseph, five years old. Mrs. Kingsley is very pleasant, a good cook, and makes you feel at home. Joseph is very talkative, in fact he talks all the time. He doesn't go to school yet, as he is very nervous and was very sick two years ago. We are three miles from both Easthampton and Southampton. We are in Southampton, and go there to Church, but our mail comes to Easthampton. The school house is three-quarters of a mile nearer Easthampton than we.
I walked to town yesterday morning. It was the first time, I have done so, as I have only just now learned the way across the fields. It was a long walk, although not as long as it would be if one went by the road.
Mamma wrote me a few days ago that Grandma Towne is very low. She was taken sick a week ago and lay in a stupor the first of the week, but she was better Thursday. I expect to hear at any time that she is dead. If she shouldn't live, I should probably go home for a few days.
We have been to Church twice. We go to the Southampton Congregational Church and also attend Sunday School, so that Joseph can stay. Annie Scott, 1906 Mt. Holyoke, teaches the Grammar School there. She sings in the Choir and has a class of young ladies in the Sunday School.
In the Easthampton paper one day I saw an account of Julia Prindle's wedding. She taught here in Easthampton, you know. Mary Allyn was maid of honor. Harriett Allyn, Bab Tillinghast and others were bridesmaids. The groom had attended Williams College, but is now studing [sic] at Chicago University, where they are to live.
I am going to call upon Edith Bradley Gaylord when I have an opportunity. We have been to town a few times, but always on Saturday forenoon or too late in the afternoon for calling.
Wednesday the schools were given a holiday, so the teachers and pupils could attend the Fair at Northampton. We drove over and took our lunch. It was a beautiful day, cold in the morning but warm during the day. Miss Georgia Kingsley, who teaches the fifth grade in the village and who is Mr. Kingsley's sister went with us. There were the usual number of articles on exhibition, fancy work, fruit etc. There was a christening robe made in Paris, which had been worn by two officers in the United States Navy. After dinner there were exhibitions of trapeze work, bicycle riding, races etc.
I have been over to Northampton once before. One Saturday forenoon Mrs. Kingsley, Joseph, and I went over, as Mrs. Kingsley had an errand over there. We drove into town, left the horse and went over on the electrics.
I have been round quite a little, considering the fact that I live so far out from the village.
As it is growing dark, I will bring this letter to a close. Please remember me to your folks and write soon.
With love,
Addie B. Fitch,
Easthampton,
Mass.Care of Arthur Z. Kingsley,
R.F.D. No. 56.