Union, Conn.
November 4, 1897.My dear Susie,-
Now that I am better so it will not worry you I am going to 'fess that I have been sick.
The eczema on my ears did not heal but kept growing worse, and about three weeks ago it broke out on my right side and arms. I had Dedie get me some medicine from Dr. Baldwin but it did no good, and I was obliged to go and see Dr. Love two weeks ago last Monday, after school. That proved to be my last day of school for he commanded me to give it up. I expected to go to see him again in a few days but grew worse so that I could not go, and sent Amanda the following Thursday to have him come and see me. She went with me when I went to see him so she knew the way. He came to see me that afternoon and the two following days, also twice last week. I am better now so that I can go to see him tomorrow.
I have not been obliged to stay in bed any of the time, though there were days when I should not have been up if I had had any one to have waited on me. Amanda has been so good to me, just like a sister. She does nearly all the work and has improved very much in cooking. Perhaps my illness has been a good thing for her in that respect for she has been obliged to do almost all the cooking. I don't do much of anything yet. My arms are drawn up into angles as they were in the spring. I have had no fever this time, have slept well and had a good appetite so have not grown poor any. I think I have been just about one-fourth as sick as I was in the spring. This time I am determined to remain under the doctor's care as long as any trace of the disease is left. I did not write you about my illness until the worst was over for I knew you would worry so. You have no occasion for that now for I am getting along quite well.
You will wonder what has become of the school. It commenced again this week Monday with Dora Alderman as teacher for the five remaining weeks. She stopped to see me to-night and seems very enthusiastic over her work. She says she thinks about it all the time and even dreams about it. I think she will do very well with it[.] Dora expects to return to the straw shop early in December. Of course it was a disappointment to me not to be able to finish the term. I taught seven weeks and one day so I shall be entitled to $36, which will pay Amanda and the Doctor. "But a truce to this strain."
I had a caller one night last week, no other than Stanley himself. It seems that Mrs. Ladd did not want to give up Harvey's coming there to speak and sent Stanley down to see if he could not get him. I gave him no encouragement that Harvey would come but told him I would write to Harvey about it. Of course I gave him all the latest news from South Hadley.
The Old Folk's Concert is to be repeated at the Baptist Church at West Woodstock tomorrow evening.
Emma's milk supply has failed so she comes up three times a week for some. I am paying her for the butter box in this way.
I think I told you we had some new hymn-books. They are in use now and father brought home one for me to examine. It is "The Church", no, "The Christian Hymnal" a small book containing 477 hymns besides some Psalms and chants. It was edited by Rev. Drs. Parker, Burton and Twichell of Hartford, and published in 1877. Many of the hymns and tunes are familiar and I think it may be better suited to our use than the larger and newer collections. I have not been to church recently and was not able to attend Mr. Hopkinson's funeral. Mr. Solandt preached last Sunday and Mr. McLeod will occupy the pulpit next Sunday.
Harvey is going to get Amanda's things which were left in New Haven and send them. I expect father will get them Saturday at Southbridge.
Amanda is making some progress with the English language. I am trying to persuade her to write a little letter to you. She says if you could understand Swedish she would write "so big" letter to you. She seems to miss you a great deal I think she likes you better than any other member of our numerous family. I teach her evenings when I feel well enough. Father drew out some money and sent you Saturday. Hope you received it all right. I know you will want to get your winter cloak and hat soon.
I think father will sell the black cow soon and then perhaps we can help you. The hens hardly lay an egg a day which grieves my prudent soul. However a hen stole her nest, under the barn and came off with six chickens today. Amanda is delighted with them and will probably take good care of them.
Max is getting stout. He weighs about nine pounds now.
I had a letter from Harvey last Friday in which he said that Mrs. Baldwin was better. He seems to be very busy. I feel almost selfish to have such a good girl when they are having such trials with help.
Do you suppose you will be invited to Middle Haddam for Thanksgiving? I have a premonition that you will. This, with Amanda's letter will give you all the news up to date. Of course I assisted Amanda some about her spelling but she fully understands what she has written.
Lovingly,
Mary E. Lawson.