[Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading.]Mechanicsburg Feb 4. 1880
My Dear Daughter
I am just seated to write you so that you may get this, this week as you were a little desponding when you wrote me. I am glad to hear that you were well do take care of your good health as it is largely your capital. You speak of giving your school to Annie if she could teach Latin. Now why not take it yourself and get one of your older schollars [sic] to teach the little ones and not keep them in all day you said that Anna had an offer for the spring. Meanwhile cannot you turn your musical talent to some account, get up a class in vocal music of smaller children or any kind you can get you have the room and can teach them on an evening or on Saturday afternoon you might also get up a class in ferrey [?] work you can teach this very well Anna could assist you at this just tell the folks that you cannot spend your time merely to pay your boarding get one of your schollars to assist you in looking up schollars for your new classes. Plenty of children there and dont make your terms too low either you may as well be paid for your work as others.
Neither need you be ashamed it is no disgrace to be industrious and anxious to improve your time and talents to the best advantage. I would like you to have your visit to Columbus, and should Robbie go abroad I would like to have you and him and Horrie at home part of the summer together. Horrie talks of staying at Princeton until College closes to study Chemistry which idea Calvin favors I do not want Robbie to hurry off without taking time to get ready and to hunt up a good wife, as much of his success as a missionary depends upon his having the right kind of a wife. What kind of a lady is Miss Lee anyhow, is she tall dark complexioned or light, bright & gay or the reverse. Just now a card from Julia which says that she was a Princeton over the Sabbath with Calvin also that she and Calvin were about starting to call on Miss Lee and that Miss Davis of Pillsburg has applied to the Board to be sent to China and that her mother wishes her to go out with C & Julia only yesterday Jennie and I were discussing her as a suitable wife for Robbie should Miss Lee fail to suit or be suited[.]
No you are not to go as a single missionary under 28 or 30 years of age it would not be wise as you would be likely to run off the track in marrying as so many do. And then I do not think you would be happy and successful[.] If you should marry a missionary or one who intends going then I have nothing to say against however hard it would be to me to part with my babe if the Lord has need of you his will be done. I opposed Jennie going and I have long regretted it I would like if we could be together next year. What would you think to take a school here or perhaps I can go with you somewhere else I am getting over my loneliness somewhat. The friends are all in usual health Julia took your group with the boys to the city and so you are not ready to let Mr Ekler down as I thought you were well you you [sic] would better be cautious the name is not a popular one is he sandy or dark Jennie had a card from him asking for the girls and offering the same debt[...] that he offers other ministers children she thinks of sending Mary to him[.]
Now write me promptly. Love to Anne with warmest affection
Your Mother
I found some change in old pocket book after you left which I though[t] was yours and as muslin is about going up I purchased some for you with it 10 yds
Yesterday mailed the music