167 Washington Street,
Dover, N.H.
Sept. 28, 1905.
Dear Carrie, my well-beloved,You no longer need feel that you need forgiveness. My long delay makes us just about "square."
Your letter, when it came, was dear and lovely enough to repay me for all waiting. You told me so many bits of news that I had not heard, about Pelham and Derry acquaintances.
I have not heard from Helen yet whether she enjoys teaching. Candia Hill is where I used to board. Perhaps she is in some other part of the town.
How many changes in the faculty at Pinkerton! It would seem strange to visit chapel and look up at so many new faces. I am glad we can know that some of the old stand-bys are left. You must have enjoyed the visit from Professor Cassius and his wife.
Harriett Chase is traveling about a good deal, is she not? A trip to Alaska in summer could not fail to be interesting.
You were very industrious during vacation. I wish I could see you when those pretty dresses are donned at Mount Holyoke. They are very pretty and becoming, I am sure, from your description. I like lace yokes and shirrings and flounces.
I suppose your chimneys are built over by this time. It is not pleasant to have it being done, but the result will be enjoyable.
I suppose Bessie Bradford is with you to-night. I hope she will not be homesick. You will keep on having "Derry re-unions" with Bessie in College.
Prospect Hill is beautiful now, I know. I should like either to walk there with you again or to take you with me up Garrison Hill in Dover. One reminds me of the other.
Mabel, Mother and I spent several weeks at Hedding, where we rested and breathed pine air. Mother is there still, but Mabel left the last Saturday in August to supply two churches in Moultonville and Tuftonboro, near Ossipee. She likes her new work as pastor very much indeed, even better than she did her duties as pastor's assistant. Last Friday evening she had three ministers in her audience.
I decided rather suddenly to come to the Dover Business College. It opened Sept. 5, so I have nearly completed my fourth week in school. I like [it] very much. Shorthand is fascinating. I study Type-writing, Rapid Calculation, Grammar, Spelling, and Penmanship. The last study has not yet improved my writing, as you see. We do simply exercises so far. My teachers are young men, brothers. I like them both. I do not know many of the scholars well. My seatmate is very pleasant and good, and brings me word from Mabel now and then.
Dana Howe [sp] I have met three times since coming here.
It is very pleasant to meet people whom Mabel knew and loved. My boarding-mistress was Mabel's dearest Dover friend, and she is lovely to me.
I have a small room, but it is well-lighted by a north and a west window, and my bed is very comfortable.
The first Saturday after coming to Dover, I spent at York beach, where I had never been before. You may have been there, and so know how beautiful it is. I should like to stay there for some time, and that is a wish I do not usually have in regard to beaches.
One afternoon I went to a clam bake. It was great fun to see the dinner thrown on the hissing rocks and then covered with seaweed to steam and roast until done. I never saw so many lobsters and clams before, to say nothing of chickens, eggs, corn, and sweet potatoes. Everything was flavored with seaweed. I was introduced to about fifty people that day.
One beautiful Saturday I went with one of Mabel's dear friends to Greenacre. It was a beautiful ride, and Greenacre itself was very peaceful, restful, and delightful. The meetings were over, and the big tent was just being taken away.
Garrison Hill I mentioned earlier in my letter. It used to be the city park, but now Central Park attracts most people, so that the hill is deserted. The view from the top is well worth seeing, with mountains near and far on every side. On the hill side are several large hothouses, which are very well kept, though this is not the season to see most blossoms.
The Public Library here was opened in September. It is a Carnegie building, and so attractive a one that I have to still my heart against its charms. I have just finished a story from there, "Biddy's Episodes", by Mrs. A. D. T. Whitney. It is quite interesting.
Last evening I went to the Methodist Church to a reception to Miss Hartford, a Dover woman, who has just returned from her missionary work in China. She had the small parlor filled with most interesting curiosities which she brought home with her. She read us John 3:1-8 in Chinese. A young Chinaman was there. I had an introduction, but could not remember his queer name. He was very smiling, and looked like a Japanese.
It is time for me to go to bed. I shall ask you to give love from me to Bessie, dear Mary, and Edith. When you have time, please write me a little bit about the new rooms. They will never be so dear to me as the old ones; where I had such refreshing calls. They were real recreation to body, heart, and spirit. My life in Dover is very happy, full of pleasant things, and I would not exchange it for any other, but it makes me just a little homesick to think of South Hadley with Mary and you. You were both such a comfort to me. I shall like to know, too, what you are studying, and anything about yourself at chapel, in recitations, on the campus, or at home in Pearsons'.
I want to thank you again for the long, loving letter. It is one of my treasures now.
I have not heard from the Stevenses since last July. If you talk with them much, you can give them a share of love, but the biggest share by far is yours to keep, my very dear friend.
Good night, sweetness,
Your friend,
Clara.