Horseheads, N.Y.,
Novemer 17 - 1907Dear Lucy:
Your long letter was gladly received and much appreciated. I was sorry to hear that you are not well and have had trouble. Allow me to express my sincerest sympathy for your loss. It is indeed hard to have that happen.
I hope that your health will soon improve. It is your nature I know to work too hard. You must be careful about that. I dont [sic] know whether I ever work to[o] hard or not. It don't seem as if I accomplish much.
I envy your visit to Mt. Holyoke. I long to be there myself, especially now that Ruth Thomas little sister is in college. Your sister ought to get acquainted with her. She is a dear girl. She is very homesick and misses Ruth so much. She has written to me twice for comfort. They put her in South Cottage and that was a disappointment. Your sister is more fortunate. Her name is Mildred Thomas.
As to my work I like it much better than last year. It is nearer home, better pay, and there is a nice brick school building, well fitted up. There are twelve teachers, eight in the grades, and four in the High School. In the High School there are ninety pupils, and in my largest class about twenty-seven. I teach English I, II, III, & IV, French I, Physiology and Ancient History, about the same subjects as last year. We have a fine principal. He is a strong man and one who is ready to help in my difficulty. All the teachers and pupils are pleasant.
Horseheads is a pretty place, four miles out of Elmira and connected by trolley. There are about two thousand inhabitants and all very nice people. The town is very level with broad tree-lined streets. There are high hills a little way out of town which remind me of those at college though not so high. I climbed nearly to the top of one of them on Sunday. Being so near Elmira makes it very handy for shopping. We are only sixteen miles from the famous Watkins Glen. That is a beautiful place with its high walls of rock and pools and waterfalls. I have been through it since coming here.
I board almost accross [sic] from the school house at the home of the Fourth Grade teach Miss Rarrick. There is no one in the house except her mother and she. I enjoy it very well here. There are five churches in town including an Episcopal. The rector has just resigned however, so I go to the Methodist a good deal. I am quite well acquainted with the minister there. He is so nice and full of fun. I have been singing in the choir there lately when I have gone. I attended the Epworth League on account of the nice crowd of young people.
Thursday evening the Book Club of the place entertained on a large scale. The teachers were especially invited[.] All the 400 of the town were present. The speaker of the evening was the newly elected assemblyman. He was fairly good. We spent a very pleasant evening.
I was at home all summer and did not go anywhere very much. I was not very well part of the summer and only felt like having a good time when it was nearly over. I took painting lessons toward the latter part and liked it very well. I don't get time to do much of any now.
I have not heard a word from Alice Woodward since I saw her in April. She is not married that I know of. Marjorie Bronson Brett lives in New Haven, and was enjoying life the last I knew about it. I don't know as I have much news. Frances Nixon is teaching in Monson and is not very well. I never have heard a word from Minnie Sparrow since we graduated.
I wish I could go east next summer but don't know as it will materialize.
I am dead tired so I think I will stop for this time and go to bed. Write me when you can,
Love from Mary.
[Mary refers to Alice Woodward, which could be Alice Woodward 1902 or Alice Louise Woodward 1904.]