[The letter is not dated, but since it mentions Christmas shopping and dinner, it is presumably written in December. The other letters I have from Susie's stay in Blandford date from fall of 1892 to January of 1893, so from that context, I conclude this letter was written in December 1892.]
Blandford_ Mass.
Dear friends:-
Wednesday evening - time to write home again. I did not write last week because I expected to see Mary at New Haven. I should not have gone if I had not supposed you would be there - I
toldwrote to Harvey that we had decided not to go and that I thought I had better stay here on a good many accounts, but he wrote right back that I must make my plans to come - that all the rest of the family would be there. So I went down Friday evening. Hired a team to take me to Russell for the six o'clock train; then I took the express at Springfield and reached N.H. about half past eight where I found Harvey waiting for me. Dedie and Eva had just arrived from New York, and I recieved [sic] a warm welcome from all. but I did wish you were there, Mary. I enjoyed it all very much I should have enjoyed it twice as much if you had been with me. Of course I met the wonderful Benjamin and I do not think he is so very wonderful after all. He is quite proud of himself, as we had imagined; he is not nice looking; cannot be compared with our boys: by the way, I never saw either of them looking so nice as they did this time[.] George has gained considerable flesh and it improves his appearance. Harvey is looking quite well, too, - and happy.Dedie is not very well, she is not so plump as she was when she left the farm. She was much disappointed because you were not there - and we all were for that matter. We packed in to those little rooms like apples in a barrel. Bernie had one bedroom, Dedie and I occupied the other bed while Eva slept on a lounge in the room and Mrs. B. and Helen on the sofa in the sitting room. They put up a single bed for George in the parlor every night.
I think Eva is a lovely woman. I like her full as well as I do Dedie. She is very unselfish, thinking of every one before herself. I know you would like her. I wish we could have her at the farm for a week or two next summer.
George came down Saturday morning, and we had our Christmas dinner in the afternoon[:] turkey - turnip - cranberry sauce and mince pie. Harvey took me through some of the stores Saturday morning. I saw lots of things that I would have liked to buy but I am not any too well supplied with "filthy lucre". The stores were crowded and everybody had a bundle and looked happy.
Saturday evening red-headed Cousin Lena came over and we gave and recieved [sic] our Christmas gifts. They were all arranged on the dining room table and we each hunted around till we found what was intended for us. I recieved [sic] a black leather writing desk from George, a watch chain from Harvey and George, a diary from Harvey, a toilet bottle from Mrs. B., a silk handkerchief from Dedie and a linen one from Eva. Mrs. Shephard gave me a bottle of cologne and Miss Fanny a booklet. My S.S. teacher gave me a pretty handkerchief, and this noon another silk one came from Edith Alderman. I didn't expect so many and I am sure I do not deserve them. I mail you a few little things by the same mail I send this letter.
Harvey read us a Christmas poem which I copied. I enclose it. [no longer with the letter] When you have read it please put it in my bureau drawer. Dedie got a spy glass like George's., [sic] a nice leather covered book for a journal, a box of stationary [sic], a cup and saucer, an easel, a night dress[,] some stockings, two pins, a silver hat pin and several other things.
Sunday it snowed and I did not go to church so many times as I had planned to. George took me to Calvary Baptist, then we went into the Chinese S.S. I saw Lee Park. It was ver interesting. Lee Park gave Mrs. B. a very nice teaset [sic] of china which he sent to China for. It probably cost $60. Don't you wish you had a generous Chinese pupil like that?
At six H. and I attended vespers at Center Church where we heard some fine music. I came back to B. Monday afternoon. It has been terribly cold here for a week. In the evening I attended the Christmas tree. Mrs. Hayden gave me a pretty marine water-painting. Miss Fanny S. is here: goes back next Tues.
I have one new scholar, a big boy. Only five weeks more after this one.
Why did I not get a letter from you yesterday. I must stop now. Paper has given out.
Lovingly.
Susie