Apponaug, R. I.
Jan. 14, '06.Dearest Helen,
Now it is your turn. I have written six letters of varying lengths and my little finger feels rather lame, but according to Mr. Haskins, obstacles should spur me on to fresh effort.
I am glad you are teaching but wish you had a more desirable position. Your salary certainly is very low. I wish I could help you to a better position but I don't know of any vacancies. I had eight dollars last year and thought that was low. I get eleven now and barely make expenses meet. My board is four dollars a week, my laundry fifty cents a dozen pieces and my carfare $.50 a week and when I go to church it is more. I teach first grade in Hillsgrove and register sixty-two but only average between forty and fifty since cold weather set in.
I like it very much and should like a change next year still mucher. I want a grammar grade nearer Boston - any to offer? There are three other teachers in the school and we have fine times. There is another teacher where I board and she is as comical as one could wish.
Socially this place is as dead as dead can be but then perhaps I need the quiet rest even if I can't perceive it.
A Miss Kinsman who now teaches at Hillsgrove taught in Candia Village and also a Miss Foster who teaches at Central.
Many thanks for the pretty Christmas card.
I presume congratulations are in order now that you have your ring. I have no doubt that Harry will be a protective and masterful husband and that Helen will be a loving and obedient wife. Ha! ha! I met Miss Watts on the train in Sept. and she asked me if you two were engaged and I said I thought you were.
Yes, I went to N. S. the last of June and returned with my sister the last of August. She lives at Mr. Haskins in Reading and attends the grammar school. She is doing very well and gets through this year. What to do with her next year is now the question. I pay her board and Eleanor supplies her clothes. She likes U. S. quite well but is looking forward with considerable eagerness to going home next summer. By the way Eleanor said she wished you would write to her. She works for Noyes Bros. and lives at 16 Batchelder St., Dorchester.
Did Lester R. say anything about getting a letter from me last summer? I wrote him - a dirty little letter and I couldn't blame him to' he never answered it. Let's see, he graduates this year doesn't he?
Gussie and Fred have moved to Minneapolis. Fred likes so well he never wants to come east again to live and Gussie likes very much but often wishes she were back in Cambridge. It is very hard for her to meet new people but the westerners are very cordial and in time I hope she will have as many friends as she had east. Daniel has left Malden and gone back to Passumpsic. Lester is still in Rehoboth - six miles from Providence. He came out to see me before Thanksgiving. He is a manly young fellow and is improved in a great many ways. I am quite struck on him.
I had one week at Christmas and I used every minute. I made Reading and Dorchester my headquarters and from there I sallied forth to Greenwood, Chelsea, Boston and Jamaica Plain.
My cousin Tina McDonald came to Boston this fall. SHe likes it in some respects and in other ways she doesn't. She and I are planning to go to the Moorland together next summer. I suppose you will spend your summer at home.
Whenever you see Mary and Carrie just remind them, will you please, that I am still living and still able to read. I wish we four could have a reunion.
Write again and if your youngsters give you any trouble just walk over their blessed constitutions and roost on their necks. I have to do that every few weeks & then they behave for a couple of minutes.
Lovingly,
Jennie.