Hardwick, Mass.
Aug. 21, 1906.My dear Miss Baker;
At last I am seated to write a reply to your very interesting letter which I rec'd about two weeks ago.
Yes, I expect to return to New Salem this fall. I have not heard from Mr. Pratt as to the exact time of my return, but I have a sort of presentiment that my school will begin the Tues. following Labor Day I expect to hear from Mr. P. every day[.]
The schools here begin the 27th of Aug. and I think possibly your school may also begin at that time. Perhaps you have heard from Mr. Pratt before this?
I am wondering who the new principal will be. Have you learned yet?
You ask what I have been doing this summer. It won't take me long to tell it all for I haven't been anywhere except to Westfield where I spent commencement week with my friend Bertha Camp[.] She came home with me for a little visit of two weeks; then papa's uncle from the West made us a visit. Mamma's sister and her little boy were with us a week or two, and then I volunteered to "keep house" for mamma while she went on a little vacation. She was away about two weeks so you see I have no wonderful nor thrilling experiences to relate. I had some very interesting experiences while house keeping but I think I had better keep them to myself lest you should get a wrong impression of my capabilities as cook.
Papa, however, complimented me very highly on my success in the culinary department, and it is needless to say I was duly elated. I think he knows my weakness for when a little girl, I would do anything for anyone if they only praised me sufficiently. I think you must have passed a very exciting and interesting week that last week of school. It was unfortunate that Mr. Cambridge was ill.
Bye [sic] the way, are they enjoying their farm life as well as they anticipated?
Of course you had a delightful time?
I, with a party of friends spent a day at Forest Lake[.] Have also been to Forest Park Springfield.
I expect Miss Alden to spend a day or two with me this week.
I wonder if vacation has
beenseemed so short to you as it has to me. It seems to me very short indeed.Mamma is doing some sewing for me now and I think we shall need all the time until Sept. 4 to finish it.
There is a great deal of confusion and noise going on around me and I can hardly think. You see my brother has a cornet and is just now practising very rigorously.
Aren't you rather anxious to try the new "mahogany piano" in the Hall?
Oh Miss Baker, are you going to have the "suite" on the first floor this year? If so, and you are there before I am I wish you would suggest that I would like the room you occupied last year. If you do not go down stairs I shall keep the room I had last term. Probably I shall be obliged to take what happens to be left over as I shall not arrive on the scene until the very last one.
Wonder if you will attend Athol fair? Papa has a ticket but I think he is trying to dispose of it.
Goodnight, Hope to see you soon. Please remember me to your mother and sister[.] I should be glad to receive another letter from you before school begins but you are probably as busy as I am.
Ever your friend,
Olive F. Bliss.