A Letter Written on Jan 18, 1847

[Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading]

Mt Holyoke Sem. Jan. 18. 1847.

My dear Sister,

I will not let our vacation quite pass away without addressing one more letter to you. I will tell you what I have done this recess, thus far, and you may judge whether or not, I have misspent my time. In the first place, I have studied and been examined in Paley. This is the mirth [?] letter I have written, and my wardrobe, I have wrought quite a thorough change in it. My quilt that I burned so badly, I have thoroughly repaired, so that it looks as well as ever. My light delain [?] I have made over, so that now it suits me exactly. I intend to make my calico dress, in the time that remains, even three more days, and many little odds and ends, that will keep me very, very busy.

Tomorrow I am invited down to Mrs. Dwight's to spend the afternoon, and I believe I have not mentioned among the other things done, the quilting party I have attended at Mr. Hawks. Yes, Pspent one afternoon, and evening there, quite pleasantly. Do you not think my time has been filled up? It has passed very rapidly at least. And now, I have the prospect of fifteen more long weeks of study ere I can hope to see you. Quite a dubious prospect I confess, but the reality never equals the anticipation, so I do not believe it will be so very unbearable after all.

Thursday afternoon.

You would laugh, I know, could you see the manner in which I write. My portfolio is laying upon the window seat, my eyes roaming from my paper, to the street, to see the girls as they come, ever and anon, I cast a glimpse of some familiar face, then I must needs [?] run, and welcome them back to their Holyoke home, and moreover the doorbell rings most frequently, and I have to obey its summons, so my hands, feet, and eyes, are all busy, and I have only a fragment of a thought to offer to you. But even this, I know you will gladly accept, so dearest Neal, I do not hesitate to scribble on, with all my interruptions, as fast as I possibly can. This is almost my last moment of vacation, I regret on some accounts it is so nearly gone, but it [is] so heart-charming to see the girls as they return, that I have thought less about it today. I have always been one of the returning ones, and had no idea, there was so much pleasure, in welcoming back those who had been gone. There lacks not excitement either, One would think we had been separated an age. This evening we commence study again.

I ceased writing awhile, to visit with one of the girls. It seems as if they came in multitudes. Sarah Hinsdale has just called, and told me she became quite well acquainted with Pa, on the way to Blandford. Her father is the minister of that place. Since I commenced my letter I have made my calico dress, or nearly finished it, having only the skirt to gather, and sew on. I began me a crochet (pronounced as if spelled 'crosha) purse, for visiting work at Mrs. Dwight's. I think it very pretty indeed, so different from many of the others. When I have finished it, I intend to take the rest of the funds, and knit Pa that long-promised money-holder. Last evening I received Ma's excellent letter. Oh! how much obliged I am to her for it. I can hardly tell when any thing has done me so much good.

Nelie, do you not remember how precious such messages are from home? Why then, do you not write to me? It sometimes makes me sad that you do not write me oftener, but I suppose you are quite busy, and imagine you have very little time, and I'll try to forgive you. I read my letter, or a part of it, to Augusta, and she said she almost envied me such kindly words, for she has no mother to write to her. She remarked that she had never received such a letter. Her father has also been dead many years. She is an orphan indeed. My other roommate, Anna, has a very bad film [?] upon her thumb, and does not return in several days. Elizabeth Hollister has come down to sit this afternoon with me, and wishes me to give very much of her love to you all. I shall write to Ma next, an answer to her kind letter.

Now I have not time to say more. I have written you a very wobegone [sic] looking scrawl. Do excuse it. You can imagine how I have written it. Love to all our family, and all my friends that may inquire after me.

Love from your
Sister Hattie