Orford, N.H.
May 27, 1908.Dear Friend:-
As I have laid aside my school work for the night; will drop you a line to let you know I am among the living. I was very pleased to get your letter a short time ago and thanks ever so much for that lovely card I rec'd last week. Did you find Miss Traver well and enjoying her work?
I am getting very nicely with my school; that is I feel that I am doing as well as could be expected of a beginner who has no Normal training. Everything has gone very smoothly in school this term, but I sometimes I [sic] get a little discouraged lest I may not be teaching them anything. Mr. Carpenter, my superintendent, has always given me reason to think I am succeeding and both he and the school Com. have asked me to return in the fall. I told them I didn't think I would care to; but it is left with me to decide. I had thought of going to Normal at Fitchburg this summer and then perhaps I can get a better school in the fall.
I went to
a coan Interscholastic Meet at Dartmouth May 16 and I rubbered at all of the boys to see if I could set eyes on Franklin Barrett hustling around with the rest of the Seniors. I went through the buildings with one of the Juniors there and it was very interesting. I enjoy going to the different Granges up here very much; but in many ways they are different from ours.We use Smith's Grammar and Primary Ariths., and I am not especially fond of them.
My children are nearly all of the "Don't care" class of people and I am sure you have found out as well as I that it is extremely difficult to drill some things into such people's heads.
How I would have liked to have been at New Salem last Sunday to see you; but if all goes well this summer. I shall try to see you sometime when I am going to Gardner. Did you like Mr. Betts and and [sic] the other teachers? I wonder if Miss Bliss will return to New Salem again in the fall.
They are having quite an exciting time in one of the other schools here just at present; because the teacher whipped a boy and according to the stories I guess she overdid the thing. Mr. Carpenter told me yesterday that he was afraid that they would arrest her. She is the fourth teacher they have had in that room this year, and she isn't succeeding very well.
My school closes June 18 so you see I haven't only three weeks after this. I kept school on Fast Day, a holiday in N.H., so I have that at the end unless I want it before. I would like very much to be at home for graduation but don't suppose I shall be.
It is just lovely up here now that it is getting warmer.
I hear from Ella occasionally and I guess she makes a dandy teacher. She was so smart to go ahead that I should think she would get along finely.
And Maude has at last married Levi; so there is one more marriage made at New Salem Academy.
I expect to have to take examinations soon for a certificate to teach in Orford. Don't you envy me?
Trusting I may hear from you often and that this may find you well, I am,
Your sincere friend
Mary Cornwell.