Holyoke, Dec. 22, 1849.
Dear Mother
I suppose you think it is time, that I wrote to you, and perhaps wonder why Mary has done all the letter-writing lately. I had intended to write, but she has wanted to write for something particular most of the times, and I have had so much to do, that I have omitted it.
I have been very busy lately studying, as we were wishing to finish Virgin this term, but Mary and Miss Hazen have taken it into their heads within a day or two, that I had too much to do, and have persuaded me to leave Latin for the present.
My health has been very good this term, and I have been able to walk a mile most of the time, but lately since the walking has been snowy and slippy, it has tired me considerably. Miss Hazen told me a few days ago, that I might be excused from walking the whole distance, the rest of this term, but since then, they have commenced the riding again, and if I do not walk, I must ride. I had rather walk, if I could, and I want you in your next letter, to tell me if you do not think I am able to walk. I went to
walkride Wednesday, and enjoyed it pretty well while riding, but I had the end seat of the carriage, where there are no springs, and riding over frozen ground jolted me very much, so that the next day I was almost sick, and felt as though I had hardly strength to move. Miss Scott says, if I go again I shall not sit in that place, but shall have a better seat, but I did not ride at all to day, and I have not walked but little ways this week. I think I shall be able to walk a mile next week, and I want you to be sure and tell me, if you think it will do me any harm. If I ride I must go twice a week, and pay twelve and a half cents each time.Our vacation commences three weeks from yesterday, I suppose you are not expecting us home at that time. I do not know yet how many are going to stay here, or what teachers, but Miss Hazen is going to I believe, & Miss Whitman is not. I hope we shall see you here some time before that time, but I hardly know whether to expect you or not, you have written so many times that you thought you should come and have not. I hope you will let us know if you do come before hand, so that we shall know when to expect you. I hope when you come you will bring me a mince-pie, you do not know how I long to taste of one of yours or aunt Gerrish's. We have had them here every Sunday for dinner since Thanksgiving, and they are very good, but are spiced so much, that they do not taste much like yours, and you know I think nobody else makes as good as you do.
Mary wants me to ask you, if we had three nightdresses apiece of those new ones. We both thought that we had, but cannot find but two, and we thought we should like to know the truth of the case.
I believe I have not written home since we went to Cabotville. We had a very pleasant time, but found Mrs. Carter quite sick. She had the whooping-cough, and looked very badly. We have not heard from there since, do you know if Mrs. Bailey had returned home yet? She thought that she would come and see us before she went, but has not been.
We were very glad to hear of the religious interest there has been at home lately. It must be very interesting to see so much, when there has been so little feeling for so long.
Perhaps you think that I say very little about my feelings on that subject, and I know that I do, I wish I could tell them more freely. I sometimes wonder that I should have dared to unite with the Church when I was at home, but still I hope I am a Christian, and I think that I enjoy religion more & more. I was very much rejoiced to hear that Mary Atkinson was among those who indulged hope, does not Sarah have any interest in the subject? does Mary go with Susan Jane as much as she did, and does it have any effect upon her? I should be very glad to have a letter from Hannah Beck, or any of the girls, please give my love to them all. I suppose you have not heard any thing from Gardiner yet, the storm which is raging now makes me think of him, but I suppose it does not reach where he is. Does not Mary Currier take any interest in the meetings? I wish she could come here next year, I think they would admit her if she wanted to come, do you not think her father could be persuaded to send her? I think she would be contented here with me. She owes me a letter I believe, & I wish you would tell her to write. I shall try and write to her soon. Give my love to Lydia Moody, and tell her I will write soon.
I have been thinking lately that I would get that medicine that Dr. Cross gave me the receipt for, and see if it would not make me stronger, so that I should not get tired so easily, and could walk a mile. Miss Scott says she will show it to Dr. Brooks, and ask him to get it. I wish you would ask Dr. if he remembers what it was, and how often I was to take it, I have forgotten. I have written you a good long letter, but it is getting so dark that I can't see very well. It storms very hard, snow & rain both I believe, we have had nothing like it before this winter. I shall try and write Augustine a note if I can, to send in this, I was very glad to hear from him, I thinks [sic] he writes very well for one so young.
Perhaps Mary will want to write a little, so I will leave room. I had almost forgotten one thing, tell father I shall have to pay the remainder of my tuition the first of next term, which is in five weeks, and if you do not come here, I should like to have him send it. Be sure & tell me about my walking. I should love dearly to look in and see you. Good night.
Your darling daughter
SuzyP.S. Tell Lizzie Stevens, that Miss Hazen has had her Daguereotype [sic] taken for her, and that I have it now in my possession. She is only waiting for an opportunity to send it, to let her have it. It is very good indeed, and I think she will like it much. Tell her to write to me.