Sunday -
Birch Island.Dear Mamma:-
This is a new place - but very attractive. I don't want to stay on such a small thing very long but for one day it is fine. I travelled about all day to get here. We started, Mr. Foss and I, at about a quarter of seven and drove to Centre Harbor. There had been a very heavy dew and so the dust was not bad. And the east wind had driven back the smoke so I had a last faint glimpse of the mountains. There must be big fires somewhere and I do wish there might be rain. Only one hard rain just after I went to Whiteface and two showers.
The trip around the lake was fine. I could see the near mountains very well, and the reflections were beautiful in the still water. At the Weirs I changed to the mail boat and then made another circuit in that fine little boat for about three hours more. It was great fun to run into the little wharves. I got into the island here at 4:30.
Nan met me, and she seems pretty comfortable. She is able to walk about the island, but has to sit down to rest often, and spends a good deal of time in the hammock. She sleeps out on the upper verandah and so does the aunt who is staying with her. There are only fifteen homes on the island which isn't over half a mile long nor more than a quarter broad. There aren't to be any more built as they don't wish them close together. There are lots of lovely birch trees - and many others. Not a grass flat any where - quite a lot of shrubs &c - but I'd be crazy for space in a week! They have a row boat in which we went out yesterday afternoon, and a power boat which is used when Mr. Lyman and the boys were here. The lake is beautiful surely. Today we have walked around out to one and this morning and to the other this afternoon. There is a nice bathing beach on one side. It isn't more than 20 miles from where I was in Whiteface even tho it did take me nine hours and more to get here. But I was glad to come that way.
Tomorrow I leave at 7:30 and get to Nashua at 11:11 I believe. My trunk went down yesterday, I suppose. I decided to take it up to Mrs. Peavey's so things wouldn't have to stay packed so long and so I could have what I may want, and not have my trunk so heavy. I'll attend to the different things you mentioned - not very many. I shall try to call on Elizabeth McClure and at the Wallace's to get some slides Edith left for me.
I must stop now and talk to Nan a while and then go to bed so as to get up early. But I'm glad I came.
How long do you think you will stop in Boston? I hope to get to So. Hadley Friday night. I guess Elizabeth will come up for over Sunday. I think from a letter I had after she'd taught one day that she is going to enjoy teaching more this year than she did last.
But I must stop now. I'll take this down with me and mail it in Nashua so you'll know I have gotten that far. It'll get that noon train out to Portland, I guess. It seems as if college were really going to begin now I've gotten headed that way.
Nan sends her love to you.
Love to you -
AbbyOn the train: - Gertrude Goold is on the train and sends her love to you. She says Eleanor would wish to also. It is a fine cool day, but I see by the paper that I have hit the Nashua Fair. It is to be all this week. Too bad.
It is clearer down here than up on the Lake. Less smoke.
Abby.