[Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading. This letter was able to be attributed to 1881 by comparing it with a letter Jennie wrote on Jun 23, 1881 that spoke of some of the same events.]May 18 -
Dear Mother:
I do feel so wretchedly blue and lonely - my head aches so bad and I am all alone so I guess I will write to you[.] We are having cold dark dismal weather - and I have taken cold[.] My neck is sore and a little swelled on one side and my head - O dear! I have had a series of unpleasant things calculated to depress and make me feel blue. They chiefly affect others but make me feel bad all the same.
I had a letter from Rob last evening in which he spoke of Lilie's battle but did not tell me what it was. Has Mr Eckler died or run away or backed out or what? I am terribly anxious to know what has happened. From the way he speaks it must be something serious. Then Landrum has been carrying on high ending up with leaving for nobody knows where. I do feel out of all patience with the folks in China and I'm thinking they will get their eyes opened before long. Mrs Holmes sent L. some money $267 dollars I think sent it to Dr Taylor and allowed Landrum to spend it himself[.] The Doctor did not want to give it to him but he applied to a lawyer to enforce his demand and was very impertinent to me and to the Doctor. His landlady would not keep him any longer and finally the Doctor gave him his money when he got an outfit of an elegant leather satchel and I do not know what else - threw away his old clothes announcing his purpose to buy new ones - and left. His trunk is still at his boarding place and Dr T. told him he could not stay in the University after this term[.] We are all glad to be rid of him, but I am sorry his mother is so foolish[.]
Mr Mills wrote a letter to Dr Taylor that vexed me no little - evidently reflecting on my course with him claiming that he was a model boy and should not be restricted. Also that his mother could furnish him with ample means and he need not be called to an account as to what he did with his money &c. Nobody ever told me this - my instructions were to keep his money and expend it for him and that his mother would have to practice the closest economy to educate him[.[ If they wanted Landrum to have his money why did they not tell me so and if he has such a liberal allowance why have me asking for for [sic] him favors and economizing so closely[?] Moreover while he was in my hands they did not send me money - I had to use my own half the time to pay his bills.
Well they have given him his money and it will not be a month till he will be pennyless. His uncle wrote that he need not look to him for any more money, nor for a home in his family. He is at the end of his patience with him too. Poor boy! I have had so much trouble with and about him and have [...]lly failed to give satisfaction with it all[.] How often this is the case with our most selfdenying efforts for the good of others. But the Master takes note of all such service - and at last it will be appreciated[.]
Thursday afternoon - I am thinking very long to hear from you and wonder how you and Horry are getting on. I have been working in the garden till I am very tired - planted out two dozen cabbage and one dozen tomato plants, besides some flowers and other things. We have so much ground and I am trying to plant it with something. The lettuce will soon be fit to use.
Mrs Coan has gone east for the Summer and we do sadly miss her. She was always so cheery. It will only be five weeks till school will close.
We are about through house cleaning except the kitchen and it is awful.
The sewing is just waiting. This cool weather is a mercy in that respect for the girls can wear their winter clothes. I had a seamstress engaged but she disappointed me. I hope to get one next week. I cannot do the sewing and will not kill myself trying.
I am living on meat still and gulping hot water four times a day. I will likely have to go to Cleveland a few weeks after Commencement. Will go if I possibly can. I have undertaken this thing and I'm going to put it through[.[ Mary is not very well - has dropped all her studies but two. Willie is still going to Miss Annie to school. He says there is just one thing he has more of than he knows what to do with, and that is good advice from the girls! Janet does tease him awfully - calls him a Publican because he eats with unwashed hands.
I sent that light silk dress of mine to Staten Island to be colored and it came home all in holes. I had some buff ponges [?] Julie gave me for a suit for Willie so I put it with the silk and am getting Janet a suit made. The silk is navy blue. I will have to get Mary a new dress of some kind.
Dr Child's wife and three daughters are to arrive this week. What will be the next sensation. They will board for the present. I am not caring much about them - hope they will be pleasant however. Now if you have not written to me write as soon as you can and tell me what has happened [to] Lily. I am so anxious to know. I hope she will write to me herself. I had a proposal to accept a position as associate or lady principal in a college! If my head were well I would accept it.
Jennie