Yorktown Heights, N.Y.
Feb. 18, 1900.My dear Susie,
I wonder if you are looking out on such a sunny, windy scene as lies before my window? It is pretty to look at, but decidedly unpleasant when one thinks of going out. This morning papa and I went to church, and I think that will have to do for today. Attending church this evening would be too great a task.
Last week was a quiet one, except for a visit to Carmel. I went to visit Miss Foster and Miss Weed. Thursday I spent with Miss Foster, and Thursday evening and Friday with Miss Weed. The Seminary seems a little changed. The new management is far better than the old, I think. I like the Hanaburghs, and their ideas of how a school should be managed suit me pretty well.
Miss Weed paints as much beautiful china as ever. Her room is a lovely place to visit, because of the many pieces of her work which it contains. She gave me a quaint little rose-bowl set up on three little china legs and decorated with yellow roses. Isn't she a dear? I am sorry for her from the bottom of my heart, for she is one of those persons who have an uneven, unhappy disposition which is continually causing pain to themselves and often causing it to their friends.
Did you meet Mary Mekeel when you were here? I rather think not. She is my second cousin. She is to be married to Wallace Vail who lives the next house to ours. Perhaps you remember that he is musical and used to regale us with strains of the cornet or violin on summer evenings. The marriage is to be in the Friends Church next Wednesday evening at half past six o'clock, and is to be followed by a reception. Of course we shall put on our best clothes and attend both marriage and reception. What a wedding time I am having this year, am I not? I enjoy it immensely.
This morning Mr. Requa announced that he would preach his last sermon as pastor of this church in March. I suppose Mr. Wood will come to us the first of April. Mr. Requa is going into business, I don't know what kind. He will preach some, but will not be a pastor.
Phebe and I gave up our trip to Mt Vernon on account of Mary's wedding. Grace Clark wanted us to come down on Wednesday and stay till Friday and attend the County C. E. Convention from her home and we should certainly have done so if it had not conflicted with the wedding.
Do you remember the owls that hooted in the woods and around the house when you were here? And did I tell you of the very large one who lived all last winter in the ever green tree by the front door? He is with us again this winter and seems to be even larger than last winter. How I wish I had him stuffed. He never "hoots" in the winter, but is perfectly quiet. I saw a flock of crows the other day circling around him and making a great fuss over him, but I could not make out the cause of the row.
The Village Improvement Society is flourishing. We have thirty members and over seventy dollars. Edna, Jo, and I go out frequently on expeditions in the interest of the society, and probably will go sometime this week. The men about the village are much amused at our doings, and a little bit proud of us, and extremely kind and helpful. The railroad company has promised to send up five car-loads of cinders to be used in making walks, - Ed was our intercessor with the company, - and Mr. Darrows has offered to give the society all the gravel needed. In some places the sidewalks will have to be of cinders and gravel and in others of boards. We have considerable fun over it all. Our friends call out "Village Improvement Society" whenever they see us coming, and Mortimer the other day beat on a tin wash-boiler to herald our approach.
The end of my sheet so goodby.
Love,
Gertrude.