Easton,
Northampton Co. Pa.
Sep. 17. 1884.
Actually, Gertrude dear, I did not realize that 'twas so long since I wrote you but I have a good excuse for delay. I have been away from home. The Agassiz Association of which my brother you know is President held its first annual Convention in Philadelphia on the 2nd 3rd & 4th of September. Harlan, to my delight, came on and spent several days at home first, and then on Tuesday morning we all of us, except father, went to the city together. Father came in the afternoon and we spent a very enjoyable week indeed. There were about four hundred A. A. members there I should think, young, middle-aged and old. Tuesday evening there was a reception which was very pleasant. I met many bright, interesting people. Wednesday & Thursday came the sessions of the Convention at the close of which my brother was very unexpectedly and delightfully presented with a handsome gold-headed cane from the members of the Philadelphia Chapter. There were delegates from a great many distant places and it was on the whole a real success. Friday morning Harlan left for Lenox and Friday P. M. mother and father came home, while I went to Chadd's Ford to visit Addie. There I stayed for a week until the following Saturday and that I had a delightful time I hardly need say. 'Twas extremely hot weather but we managed to have a beautiful time, driving over the lovely country roads, and resting and talking to our hearts' content. The first night we didnt' pretend to have a wink of sleep until four A. M. when we heard the milkmen and the crowing cocks and concluded that if we expected to sleep at all we had better be about it. On Thursday morning bright and early we started on a twelve mile ride to Media to see Greta. We reachd her home before ten and spent the day and night with her, returning on Friday morning. It was so beautiful to see Greta in her home - just such a gem and ideal of a place as Greta ought to live in. And in the evening Owen [Greta's fiance] came out and made himself very agreeable to us, and all the family are lovely.
We enjoyed our visit extremely, as you may imagine. On Saturday, which was charmingly cool, Addie came to Phila. with me & we spent the day lunching, shopping, &c. and I came home on the 4 P. M. train, sorry to leave my dear girl indeed. Since coming back I haven't done much. I have meant to write to you every day. Found your suggestive postal awaiting my return.
Well school has begun again I suppose - I can't say I'm sorry not to go back, though I love the old place and hope to visit it sometime. Had a lovely letter from Miss Rebecca not long ago.
If this is a stupid letter G'gy - please bear with me for I am just on the verge of going to sleep and I ought to be in bed. I hope you are better and getting better & stronger every day. Let me hear from you soon - your plans, projects, interests &c. Don't you envy Victoria Shelling? What of the political aspect? Goodnight & true peace be with thee.
Yours, Winifred.