Dear Lucy,What will you think of me? I shall not blame you if you even refuse to read this note, and send it back to me unopened. First of all, I offended very deeply in not answering your nice long letter of last winter. I fully intended to do so, but wished to find time when I could write a long (if not nice) one in return, and I never found it. In fact I was not very well the last part of the school year and was continually losing lessons and making them up. You remember I used to do such things now and then last year.
Then Lucy after your visit to college last year, I wanted to write and explain how I came to leave you that way in Holyoke. I fully intended going to the Station with you and having a little longer visit, but Florence wished me to help her with some trading [?], and moreover my sick-headache (you will remember I had one) was getting the best of me - I began to feel real dizzy, and I thought I better stay with her.
But now, Lucy, comes my most terrible offense against your sweet long-suffering self. Just before I came home, commencement week I received that dear little money-bag which you had made for me. It was just as dainty and pretty as it could possibly be and I don't know how I can ever thank you for all those little stitches which were taken for me, or for the love (which, believe me, I prize most) they represent. It was so kind of you to remember me at my commencement.
I fully intended to answer it at once before I started for home, but my sister was up there with me and wanted me to come home with her Thursday forenoon, and that meant rush with my packing. And I did rush - and so much that I packed something in my freight boxes that I should have put in my trunks, among these my Llamaradas, catalogues etc. were packed among my books so that I found when I arrived home, that I did not have your address, and I could not seem to recall it. I was sorry for I wished to write at once, but , but consoled myself with the thought that my things would soon be here. But I had begun to despair of ever seeing them again, and was trying to trace them up, when they arrived upon the scenes this last week. I have just got them home and unpacked. How is that for speed in transit? I feared that they had been lost or smashed, so that the R.R. Co's. were keeping still, but when they finally came, my desk and one box were all right and the other box, while smashed up some, had protected the contents from any great injury.
Well, I think I have "drawn out" my "tale of woe" almost long enough, and could perhaps find something else to write about which would interest you just as much.
For my vacation this year, I have planned no very strenuous work, nor have I done any. Mama insisted that I needed a rest, so I have been taking it right here at home. I really did not know I was so tired until I gave up I have had no ambition for anything. I have helped some with the house work and that is all. No sewing or anything else done. I have got to begin soon for I must be ready for the last of Sept. to go to my position in Tougaloo University, Miss., about seven miles from Jackson, Miss.
You will see by this that I have really taken up home missionary work as I intended, but it is among the collored people instead among the mountain whites, which, you will perhaps remember, was the particular branch of the work that most appealed to me. The reason that I accepted this position is because Eula Taylor and I could be together there, and her people were not willing that she should go way down South, so far from home, unless she was with me - or at least not alone. Another year we may both take up the work among the mts. whites will see how we like this this year.
It is time for the postman and I must stop, but hope to hear from you soon, telling me what your plans are for the coming year.
With much love,
Ella C. LesterMonday morning, July 23, 1906.