Tougaloo, Miss.
Dec. 10, 1905.Dear family,
Ruth's letter came Wednesday last. And so the Middle Haddam plan materialized. What will they have next at Putnam?
Our music teacher came last week, she is a little German girl, Johanna Myer by name; very shy, quaint, but she can play. "Mr Science" or his substitute, "Miss Somebody", hasn't appeared, and till his arrival I have his Astronomy class, There are no text-books, either, and pending their arrival I lecture on the subject.
Yesterday I went to Jackson with eleven other teachers; we have to go in on a freight train, as there is no local south-bound passenger train until four in the afternoon. Jackson is growing wonderfully fast, and the changes since last year were noticeable; - but the stores are about like those at Southbridge. I tried at seven different places to get a bodkin or a tape-needle. Aren't those the proper name for the article?
We have no vacation at Christmas except just the day, and school "keeps" New Year's day also. So I don't think it will seem much like Xmas, nor will there be much time for seeing about any presents. Stone cottage is planning to have a little Christmas tree by itself and we are going to keep unopened any packages which come by mail to put upon it. The postal card book which I bought for Ruth's Christmas present you may send to Evangeline, as Ruth already has one. -
Stone Cottage has a magazine club all its own, too, we have subscribed for six months to Scribners, Harpers, McClures, Worlds Work, Booklovers and Birds and Nature. I think it will be much better than to have such a large number of people to circulate the magazines among.
I am sorry you are letting Amanda go. You ought not to get along alone, and when you have an efficient girl I should think you would try to keep her after your experiences with help last winter, and your many experiences with doctors, even at the expense of a few dollars.
What did Ruth think of Clement?
Miss Bower, - primary teacher, who comes from Berlin, and knows the Robers family, says that John Rogers died a few days ago from typhoid fever contracted on his wedding tour. Very sad.
Have just donated Ed. Packard's purple necktie that crocked to Billy Bender. I expect there will be Packard garments galore in my Mansfield barrel.
What is Mrs. Underwood's address? Westville?
With love
Susie.