Holyoke, Nov. 5, 1849.Dear Mother,
I suppose you will be expecting a letter from us soon, and I will try and write you one, but I am so sleepy I don't know but I shall get to sleep over it. I have so much to do, that I cannot find time to write letters much, I believe if I did not have any studying to do, I should find something here, that would keep me busy all the time. I rise all the time at five o'clock, and I get so tired and sleepy by evening, that I can't study much, or do anything, and generally go to bed by half past eight, so that I have to study all the time I can in the day time.
We had quite a moving time here last Wednesday. Almost all changed their rooms, or room-mates, but we did not change at all. We were very busy that day all day, in putting down our carpet, and fixing up our rooms, and now it looks quite nice and parlor-like, and I should like to have you look in and see us. We had enough of our carpet to cover both our bed-room, and sitting-room, and we look as nice as can be. We find our room-mate a very pleasant girl, and like her very much. She had expected to room with her friend from Hartford, and we did not say any thing to her about staying with us, but the day before we were to change, she said she wished she could stay with us, and as it was not quite decided who we should have, we told Miss Hazen, and she said she would be very glad indeed to have her stay with us, if she would like to, and could arrange it with her friend, so she staid, and we were very glad to keep her.
Mrs. Conditt's health is pretty good now, but Helen has had a very sore eye, and has been obliged to stay at home for a fortnight. We were in there to-night, and she hopes she shall get back some time next week, but she will have to be very careful. Hannah Maria is staying there now with them, but I do not know how long she will stay.
I have been meaning ever since I came back to tell father something about the Fitchburg route, which I found out in the cars. A gentleman lent us a chart telling about all the railroads in the state, and I found from that that we could come from home in a day, on the Fitchburg railroad, I will tell you how it is, for I wrote it down at the time, so as to be sure and know. The cars leave Boston for Fitchburg at 11 A. M. The time in going is 3/4 of an hour. Leave Fitchburg for Brattleboro at 12 M. Time 3 hours. Leave Brattleboro for Springfield at 5 o'clock 10 minutes. Time 2 3/4 hours. So we should get to Smith's ferry certainly by half past seven, and I think it would be very pleasant to come that way. Hannah Gilman thought she should try it some time.
I have got your watch-chain done which I begun at home and will send it in this letter. I have not sewed it together because you will want to put your watch on, and you can sew afterwards. I think I have written you quite a long letter, and as the clock has struck nine, I will now leave it and go to bed, or I shall not feel like getting up when the bell rings at five to-morrow morning.
Give my love to everybody at home, I cannot stop to particularize. Tell Lydia Moody I will write to her when I can, & tell Sissie Stevens she must answer mine.
I have got well acquainted with Caddy Bayley, and like her much. She says her sister is in Newbury port now. I wish when you write, you would mention if Mrs. Bayley folks are well, so that I can tell her. I have not seen or heard anything of the Ware's yet. I can't write more.
Good night Suez.