Dear Mother.It is not fear of the stripes you threatened, or the dread of a wedding, but pure, unalloyed affection, which prompts me to write to you this morning. Oh! how I do wish I was with you; then I could talk much faster, than I can write. I do not intend to ..., no, I am thankful there are such things in this world, as pen, ink, and paper, and above all that we know how to use them. Miss Parsons has just been in here with a subscription paper for foreign and home missions her name stood at the top of the list with 10 dollars for each. Miss Lyon gives annually $60 Miss Moore and Whitman $30 or 40[.] Last year they raised about 1000 dollars. And how much do you think I have given? Just three dollars, Charlotte gave five. Perhaps you think this quite a large sum, but could you hear Miss Lyon talk, I am sure you would be induced to give as much. Oh! the ... the miseries of the poor heathen, in such glowing colors. But I am so tired, I cannot write another word to night. I have just come from washing, by the way, I was in the evening now, which you know has always been my time to write.
Oh, oh, oh, when shall I finish this letter[.] I declare I almost begin to fear the stripes at least I expect a scolding. I began this a week, yes, two weeks ago. But my wardobe must be put in order, and my lessons learned, whether I can finish it or not. Do you not pity me? The girls ask me why I do not come and see them. Why I do not have any time is the reply. I have finished my Euclid, and am now studying Algebra, wish very much to overtake Charlotte, who is a little before me. I must stop and make a fire I am almost frozen.
[pen change, no paragraph break]
There it is done[.] I have learned to make a fire since I have been here any way I should think I had got hold of the wrong pen or something must be the matter with this. Oh! dear, such pens, such fingers, such thoughts my letters must be delectable as Ellen says. But you must excuse the looks I am in such haste[.] There are four lying on my table now unanswered from Phebe Lucy Rachel and Mrs. M- Oh! When shall I find time to write to them all. I have just finished a note to Miss Fisk I believe I have told you about her in one of my former letters[.] Do you not wonder at my writing to her but it was to gratify a request of Miss Parsons[.] They are about sending her a box and wish to have all the young ladies in school write to her[.] But I must stop now for I have engaged to comb Charlotte's hair on condition that she will write for me[.] I expect you will hear something quite interesting now.
[same pen, but now the other student is writing, no paragraph break]
My dear friend. Hat is braiding my hair and expects me to write for her. She has probably told all the news. I have entirely given up hearing from our family again. Will you believe me, I have received but one letter from them, since I returned to "loved Holyoke home." I think they deserve something worse than striples. We have been showing our benevolence of late by giving to the heathen. Our section raised $108. more I believe than any other section excepting the Juniors. The catalogues are coming out very soon. We are rather impatient to see them, think it takes them some time to get them ready. I suppose you will receive one post haste, when they make their appearance. Time has flown swiftly this term. I can scarcely realize that five weeks of it is already gone. We enjoy ourselves first-rate, except when the [...] examination come[s] to mind. Do you expect to be here at the dreaded time? If you are I presume you will see Hat perform remarkably well, while I shall be in the back groun[d]. But H has finished my hair, so no more for the present.
[same pen, but now Harriet is writing, no paragraph break]
I am much obliged to Charlotte for what she has written, she has helped me along considerable. As for myself, I presume it would be about as well, if I should get up, and comb my own hair. Here I sit with my loose dress on, looking some like the novel render in one of our magazines, not quite so bad either, for there are no children crying around, the table is cleared, and the room swept. And I have got to walk yet to day beside, and a lesson to learn. I believe I must stop now, my various duties crowd so heavily. Do write soon. My love to you all. Perhaps if I find time I will fill this remainder of this sheet. No more at present -
From your affectionate daugher
Hatty.