Yorktown Heights, N.Y.
Feb. 4, 1900.My dear, dear Susie,
Please don't think that the recent irregularity of my letters indicates that I love you less or think of you less frequently, it simply indicates that I have so much on my hands lately that I can hardly get time to breathe. I hope I shall resume a more quiet and regular life soon, and then my letters will resume their former regularity.
You must have had a delightful visit to Providence. I imagine your Sunday sermons did not contain much religion, but I am sure they must have been delightfully interesting.
You always say something encouraging and helpful if I mention my troubles, and your opinion that I have a perfect right to enjoy life and need not worry about it did me good and set my mind at rest.
I wrote you sometime during the week that ended with the twentieth, did I not? On the twentieth my dear cousin David Franklin Lane came to visit me. He is about twenty years old, a thoughtful, rather serious boy, and one of whom I am very fond. He brought me a quantity of beautiful carnations which delighted our hearts for more than a week. He left us on the following Monday, - a week ago last Monday, - and that same day Phebe and I went to Mrs. Conklin's to a birthday dinner which she gave in honor of her nephew, Mr. Randolph Lee. We had known Emma's Lee cousins slightly all our lives, but very slightly. On this merry occasion, however, we became excellent friends. There are four of them, two girls and two young men. A married cousin and his wife were there also, and a good-natured youth of twenty known as Mr. Fitzpatrick. Mr. Randolph had reached his thirtieth year, and he amused me by telling his recollections of a visit to our home when he was five and I three. Phebe Anna amused him and the whole party by recounting her reminiscences of the same occasion and telling him what a "cunning little thing" he was.
My journeys to Emma's seem to be frequent. She has been urging me to spend a few days with her for some time, so last Saturday - a week ago yesterday, - I went to her home and remained until Tuesday. We attended the Presbyterian church, as the Episcopal, to which they belong, was closed for repairs. I have lots of pleasant acquaintances and some dear friends whom I seldom see who attend that church (the Presbyterian) and I sat and feasted my eyes on some of them during
churchthe service. The sermon was a little prisy [?] and did not hold my attention very well. Neither did it hold the attention of Mr. Rob Lee very well, - he is one of the people who are so full of life and fire that an hour of enforced quiet is almost impossible. It was really amusing to watch his dancing black eyes rove over the church, then suddenly call themselves to order and gaze at the preacher for two minutes and again start on their journey. His older brother is one of the kind who has eyes and thoughts and impulses under perfect control; what is right he will do even if the frowns of the whole world are against him. The two together are an interesting study. I like them both much, and sometimes puzzle my brain with wondering which style of man I most admire.Monday was my birthday, just a week after the birthday dinner which Phebe and I attended. Of course I expected to spend it quietly with Emma and her mother. After breakfast we were sent out for a sleigh-ride, and on our return who should appear from the doorway to help us out but Mr. Randolph Lee. And when we entered we found his sisters and brother all laughing at my astonishment. It was a birthday surprise planned by Mrs. Conklin. We had a delightful day. I think I never laughed more in my life. The next morning I returned home, calling on Miss Edna Gregory on the way to talk Village Improvement.
Wednesday Phebe Anna went to the city for a painting lesson. She is again at work at the Osgood Art School. Thursday Josie Kear, Edna Gregory and I went out canvassing for the Village Improvement Society. Friday I went to Chappaqua and returned home last night. The most unpleasant experience lately
among allin the midst of my pleasures is the breaking up of the friendship recently formed with my cousin. I have been hoping against hope that the trouble is not permanent, but I am coming to the conclusion that it is. I am not accustomed to breaking friendships once formed, and am not responsible for this. Nor do I blame my cousin. His brother is, I think, entirely responsible, and he has taken a means to accomplish his ends which makes explanations on either side impossible. The friendship of the past eight months has been one of the pleasantest incidents in my life and I have grieved much, but "what can't be cured must be endured."Next Tuesday evening Phebe Anna and I are going to a party at Edna Gregory's. It is a Salamagundi party. I don't know how many will be present, but I presume between twenty and thirty. Nearly all are our friends or acquaintances. Josie & Ed, Mary Churchill, the Lees, and I suppose the other Mekeels. Mamma is going to have a dinner party this week, about sixteen guests. Next Monday I am going to Carmel to spend several days, part of the time at the Seminary with Miss Weed and part of the time with Miss Emma Foster just outside the village.
I am annoyed lately with insomnia. Last night I had just three hours and a half of sleep, and the effect is not pleasant. My nerves are not so "tense" today as yesterday, however, and I hope tonight to do better.
Do take care of yourself, sweetheart, and don't get to be a nervous wreck like your friend. I ought not to apply the term "nervous wreck" to myself now, however. I was that when you were here, but now I have a measure of good health for which I am devoutly thankful.
I wish you were here. There is much that I would like to say to you, and your presence is such a blessing to me.
I hope you are not working too hard? Do you have a recess at Easter?
Yours lovingly,
Gertrude.We had a letter yesterday from David telling us that his salary has been raised to $1932 per year. Great rejoicing at his good fortune. The next rise will take him above $2000. He is a happy boy.