[Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading. Date of the letter is taken from Lizzie Pearson's death, the mention of Thanksgiving, and the fact that Madge is not at the Seminary and not yet married.]My dear dear Madge,
"What to thee shall my greeting be" this dark, cloudy evening? If you were with me I do not think we should be troubled for topics of conversation but it is a stiff, formal way to talk by way of pen and ink, though very much better than not to talk at all. I need not tell you that I was so glad to hear from you, for you very well know that your letters are always welcome and I hope they will come often. Dearly would I love to sit down before that same stove "almost as good as a Franklin" - perhaps you would let me sit in your lap, and then tell me all about the long vacation which has passed since we separated, but this pleasant dream may not be realized for we have parted dear Madge perhaps never to meet again. Although if you come back to the Seminary I shall hope to see you in my own home. it is not very far and you can spend our vacation with me.
It is now five weeks since my father and mother came home. The eight weeks of their absence seemed very long, and we were right glad to welcome them home again I assure you. They brought with them a [second?] cousin from the west who is going to spend a year with us. She is the same age as my sister Frances, and they are anticipating a pleasant time studying and working together. One of my numerous duties is superintending their lessons. Yes, Madge, I am going to be at home this winter, and I am hoping to find time to study and practice a great deal, besides assisting Mother about her sewing and other work, but you know it is much easier planning than carrying one's plans into effect. I have been very busy sewing the last weeks, from the necessity of the case I have turned dressmaker, but shall gladly resign the trade as soon as I have an opportunity.
I have not read "Fern Leaves" yet. You are so bountifully supplied with them that I should think you might send some to your Abby room mate. I have had very little time to read any thing beside the papers, "Cousin Franck's Household" and "The Western Side" I have read lately, also "Napleton or more work for the Maine law." Have you read "Beatrice" yet? I would like to read it.
Last week was our thanksgiving day, the first I have spent at home for three years. After church I took my daguerreotypes and books and went to bed and spent an hour or two thinking of old times and my roommates, wondering if they were not thinking of me at the same time. Eliza is probably in her "Pennsylvania home" I am hoping to hear from her soon. Mary Treat is in Ohio, she has not reported herself lately, but I hear through Libbie Eddy that she thinks of returning to the Seminary one or two terms of this year and graduating next year - perhaps you, Eliza and Mary will be in the same class. How much I would give to see you three girls again in dear '88' and hear "When the radiant beams of day."
I received a letter from the Seminary yesterday, they have been making changes there, the parlors are refurnished with a new carpet, sofa and chairs, and the rooms all numbered over - only think our room is now "107" - but to us it will ever be 88.
Thanksgiving passed there as usual they say. Some of the mottos were very good, over the clock "The hands of time are building for eternity", over the piano "Earth's sweetest music is a gentle word." Jenny Judson and Lizzie Adams practiced calisthenics, so I suppose they are resident graduates, but I presume you know more about Seminary affairs than I do and you must keep me posted up. I have heard that Mary Darling's brother at Amherst is dangerously sick and Mary is there taking care of him. Poor Mary I am very sorry for her. I have had one letter from her. I have also heard several times from Ellie Clarke. She said in her last letter that she was quite well and was going to school in Western New York very soon. She expects to return to the Sem. next year. I wonder what she will do without Miss Walker. Poor Lizzie Pearson has gone to her rest, but I have not heard the particulars of her death, thus one by one are our friends called away, and we know not how soon our summons may come also.
Did you go to New York. I would have loved to have met you there, but I shall not be able to attend this "World's Fair."
This is the last sheet of my Seminary paper. I wish I had bought more of it but I did feel so poor. Does it not make you laugh to think what blue times we used to have when we reached the bottom of our purses?
You need not feel troubled about my parents seeing your letters. I often send parts of my letters to them but I think that my letters belong to me and are too sacred to be read by others. My miserably written epistles are intended for your eyes alone dear Madge.
The catalogue you speak of belongs to Eliza. She could not find it, so I sent her one of mine. Have you more than one order of Exercise of last Anniversary that you could spare? I have lost mine and would like to have one very much. I would gladly copy the lines "When I am old" for you, if I had them but I had not time to copy them into my book as intended. My sister is waiting for me to go to bed with her and her eyes are very sleepy, so I must not write more this time. When shall I hear from you again, very soon I hope. A good bye kiss - do not forget your aff. Abbie.