[Some paragraph marks were added for ease of reading]Holyoke Seminary
Wed. Eve -My darling dear Ones,
I have delayed writing until this late hour, the reason for which you shall know presently.
A shadow has fallen upon my heart, although the case is not yet decided. Miss Chapin told us in hall, yesterday that they thought of lengthening the term three weeks, and thus, have it close at the end of the series, when it was better travelling &ce. She had thought of it for a long time, and if it was not done this year, would probably be next, & said also if any had a good reason why it should not be delayed, to speak with her about it. You may imagine that there were sad hearts
hearts, and mine among the number, for I was counting the days and even hours, it seemed, and does seem a thing impossible, to stay until the middle of May. I shed a few tears, and shall shed not a few more, if the thing really is decided to be so, but I cannot think that the lady will be so cruel, as to break so many hearts. I am sorry to write home until the thing is decided, but fear you will be disappointed, if you dont hear tomorrow night. I shall write when the matter is settled, certainly if we are to stay for I shall need more clothes, and shall want more pocket handkerchiefs (I hav'nt but three) to hold the tears. Oh dear!! but I'll not write more of this now, not for I cant believe that any lady would be so cruel.I am having the studies now, until I finish Euclid which I expect to before the term closes, have also Botany, and now one more trouble, Prof Wood has out a new edition of Botany considered much superior to the Old, and therefore all the old ones are thrown aside, and new ones bought, and none are loaned, 1.60 cts is the price, outrageous I think, but Miss Chapin says that we can sell them next year nearly every girl had an
eold edition, which had to be thrown aside. I wish that you had it (I mean the old one). What horrid writing! The retiring bell I expect every moment to hear, and therefore I'm obliged to scribble.Our domestic work is changed, and I have the crocking [?] after dinner. 20 m - dont like it very well, my extra work is mopping, think I shall be skilled in all of the fine arts. The summer arrangements have also commenced. Rise at 5, breakfast at 6, dinner 12, supper 5 o'clock, walk after supper some, we can be out until 1/4 8, then the warning bell prays [?], then the tardy, and if we are not in, we have an exception, there are no study hours in the evening. "I repeat it sir" what horrid writing! and would not send the letter if I had time to write more, but I ought to be studying. I received a letter from Tirzah to night, it delighted me exceedingly, she says that next term when the travelling gets better, Mary Hallock & I are to come over to Amherst to spend a Wednesday, and also said that her mother was sorry, that I did not
comego over with them Fri and come back Sat with the Prof. A great many girls Sarah lament you[r] sudden departure - M Sabin, Alice, Annie, Lilla M, Lizzie Whitney [Elizabeth Jewett Whitney 1863], &ce sent good bye's and kissesAm delighted that Auntie is to be home, when I am
I wish Clara, Ada, Lottie, Pa &c would write. My tender regards to the minister. [?]
The lectures were very interesting indeed. I have said nothing about being lonely for I thought that you would think that my letter was full of trouble, however I miss you Sarah a little, and were it not for going home, in two weeks, should not hardly survive, yet I'm happy, (as I always say), and shall be, unless Miss Chapin breaks my heart. I fear maple sugar, & every thing else will be gone, if I dont go home soon
[No signature, but probably written by Sarah Clarke's sister Aurora, as Aurora is also at the Seminary in the 1861-1862 school year, when the other letter in the same envelope was written. This letter is not fully dated, but the envelope postmark (Apr 10) and "Wed eve" and knowing that summer semester is starting in a few weeks, make it clear that this letter is the one that was sent in the envelope, and the February letter was added to the envelope at a later date.]