Monday EveningDear Clara.
I guess you deserve a letter for I don't know as I have written to you at all and you have sent me two or three nice letters so this shall be to you but I guess it won't be very interesting for there is nothing to write about. Prof. Churchill is gone, there are no receptions nor anything of the kind going on and I suppose you are tired of having me rave on my desk and pictures so I'm sure there isn't much to write.
In fifteen days I shall be at home. Just think of it! isn't it nice? It seems as if it was getting near the time to have Miss Ward say "I would like to have you write for the money necessary to pay your bills either to-night or to-morrow night" but they do begin to plan things here so long beforehand but then two weeks will pass quickly and next term will be very short and very pleasant and then comes the long vacation. Miss Steele made me a delightful little call last evening and she said it is lovely here in the Summer. She said if she was going to leave she should do it in mid winter for if she staid until summer it would be almost impossible to tear herself away. I want you to know her for she is just as nice as can be imagined. She is the only teacher who is nice at all times and to everyone.
We have just come from Williston Hall where we go every Monday eve. for half an hour after recess meeting to learn more about our Zoology. Miss Clapp laughed at me to-night because I said I never saw a tadpole. I like Z- so much! I wish I could study it next term but I can't afford the time for I must take Botany then.
Last Saturday morning Miss Hazen asked me if I had ever heard of Delia Nims said she expected her in the noon train and would like to have me call to see her but she didn't say when and so I thought I would wait until evening and wanted to walk int he afternoon but when eve. came I found that the lady left at supper time so I didn't see her. I supposed she was going to stay over Sunday and Miss H- didn't say anything about it.
I hope you will have your teeth in before I get home. Am glad you will have them already to come out here next Summer. You must certainly bring Daisy with you.
I am patiently waiting for my to-morrows letter to tell me about graduation. Hope Lily Price will favor me with a letter now the great event is over. I do wish I could be at home to attend the Reunion. Why couldn't we have vacation now?
I shall be so glad to get home it seems as if it was a long while ago that I was there and yet the term has not seemd long and I can scarcely realize that I have been here nearly a year.
Guess I won't write any more as I am very sleepy and want to go to bed so that I can get up early to study.
Thank you very much for the tarts. Kiss the children for me and tell them how much I enjoyed their candies.
With lots of love for you all from Mary
[A second letter in the envelope starts with a poem]
Daisy's Prayer
Darling, little Daisy,
With her golden hair
Sitting at the table
In her own high chair,
Closed the dewy eyelids
Over the eyes bright;
Drooped the golden lashes
Over cheeks so white,
Bent above the table
Little head so fair;
Daisy's supper's waiting
Till she says her prayer.
So she clasps her fingers
As when wont to pray;
"Oh! dear me," sighs Daisy
"What does papa say?"
Lower bows her forehead
O'er the table then;
And she whispers softly
"Jesus' sake, Amen."
Darling little Daisy,
With your winsome face
May the blessed Savior
Daily give his grace!
May you never venture
Any path to take,
Till you ask God's blessing
For dear Jesus' sake.
When the light of childhood
Shall have left your brow,
May your faith in Jesus
Be as pure as now!
From all sin and wandering
May good angels keep!
And at last in Jesus
May you fall asleep.
Sunday Sept 30th 1877
Dear Clara.
Your telling me of Daisy's little prayer made me think of the little poem I have copied and although you have probably read it I will send it to you. I wish I could see my little Daisy and all the rest of the little folks. I told Alice yesterday that if I could only get hold of them I would hug them and let them pull me all to pieces. I'm afraid the younger ones will forget me and be afraid of me when I go home at Christmas. If Millie wasn't coming out here I should be homesick. I know I never could stay here until Christmas time without seeing some of you and it doesn't seem as if I could as it is, if I could be at home Thanksgiving and Christmas both I should like it better. There is a lady visiting here now that is sister to one of the girls Hattie Savage and her name is Mrs. Ball haven't I heard you speak of her as Helen Savage? She has a little boy about Ernest's age and he is just as cunning as can be wish you could come and visit me and bring Daisy or Ernest? Won't you bring one of them next Summer?
I guess I won't write you any more as I want to write to Millie. Please write me as often as you have time for you know I'm always interested to hear about the children and Millie doesn't tell me an eighth part of their sayings. I think Ernest must be growing old rapidly from I they tell. I am glad he is beginning to read the Primer. Wish Will would write to me. Give lots of love and kisses to the children for me and keep some for yourself from Mary.