A Letter written on Oct 24, 1897

Drew Seminary,
Carmel, N.Y.
Oct. 24, 1897.

My dear Susie,

This is one of the days where I feel dreamy and thoughtful, and where I would be very happy if I had you with me, to talk write or be silent with, just as we might wish. I am in a mood to talk about the inner life, and about beautiful deeds and great thoughts instead of about persons and petty events. Perhaps one thing which has put me in my present mood is a book which I have been reading with Miss Dixon. It is the "Choir Invisible" by James Lane Allen. Perhaps I have written before of the impression which it has made upon me. We are nearly through it now, and some parts of it I have read again and again. I think the author must be a wonderful man to be able to portray both the good and evil desires of the heart so vividly and yet keep the reader in the purest and most inspiring atmosphere. A book in which the struggle between good and evil is portrayed is much more helpful to me than one in which no evil appears and the perfect characters live perfect lives without thought of doing anything else.

I have been wondering whether, when we meet again, we shall find that we have grown apart in our ideas, and in our estimate of the important things of life. I don't think we shall find it so, because our letters certainly would have betrayed it to each other before this, if such had been the case.

Now, sweetheart, I must tell you that at last I am able to decide about my plans for Thanksgiving. I am very sorry to say that I cannot accept your invitation. It is not a matter of choice I find, but simply an impossibility, for we are to have recitations all day the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, so you see I could not start for South Hadley until the morning of Thanksgiving Day and would spend all my time upon the road. Sometimes we have had the day before Thanksgiving given us, but we shall not this year. Most of the girls can get home Wednesday night by leaving here at half past three in the afternoon, and school began so late in the year that Dr. Yeager does not wish to waste any time. You have no idea how sorry I am that I cannot visit you. Of course I should enjoy seeing the college, and noting all the changes which have taken place, but most of all I long to see you. If only you will say that you will surely visit me next summer I can bear the disappointment better.

The other day I found a slip of paper which immediately reminded me of you, and I enclose it. [no longer with the letter] It is somewhat soiled, but you can read it, and I think it will impress you just as it did me.

You must have had a very good time in New Haven and have gone back to work inspired and refreshed. The best thing which has happened to me since my return to school was a visit from my father and mother a week ago yesterday. You can imagine how much I enjoyed having them here. Next time you write please comfort me because I cannot come to you at Thanksgiving time; do not scold me, for you know how much I long to go.

Yours with love,
Gertrude.

[A series of undated, unlabeled cyanotype photographs around New Haven were included in Susie Lawson's collection. They might have been taken during this trip in 1897 that Gertrude mentions. They can be viewed here.]