Wellesley Hills
Sept. 30, 1884.Gertrude dear,
If I had written you at once after your letter was received it would have been a very loving letter you would have received, for I had a heart full of love for you that morning. When at the end you told me the state of your health I could almost have burst into tears. Truly there was a big lump in my throat, and you needn't laugh now and not believe me. You say I am a strange girl, you certainly are the strangest girl I ever knew, and this morning I don't know what to think about you.
Therefore I will tell you at once. A letter from Blanch this morn begins by saying, "I had a letter from Gertrude today and she says you are going to Wellesley College."
Now Gertrude what do you mean by writing that to B. this past week when I wrote you to the contrary or rather told you I did not expect to go, weeks ago.
I request you please not to speak my name again in connection with Well. Coll. It is not agreeable to have inquiries made in regard to it in all the letters I receive. I cannot understand you.
The other matter that troubles me is that you wrote that you "had received rather a funny description of Blanch sister and [...]"
Blanch wrote me in August that perhaps Maude would go to the Sem. but in the letter received this morn she speaks of Maud and herself as alone at home.
After I received your letter I informed several that Blanch had a sister at Sem. and wrote Bessie Avery and Marion for a full description.
What did you mean Gertrude? I don't know what to make of you, and it worries me. Please write just a postal dear, if you have not time for more.
The morn. mail also brought me a lively [...] letter from Alice B. She says she misses the Semin [sic] so much. I suppose that means Edith. She said the new Semin class seemed so young and undignified. She heaps the compliments upon us girls that used to have such good times together. She and Kit have a junior together.
Ever since the Sem. opened I have felt a little unsatisfied. When I see the children going home with their school books from the public schools I feel that I wish I were in their place. Mamie expects to go away to school next year, but not to Holyoke as she's not strong enough to go to a school where there is domestic work. And I think anyway I would rather she would have different methods. She is naturally so good she doesn't need any discipline. I am going to see that she is prepared and we study latin together eery day and begin Geometry soon. It will be a good thing for me I am sure. Also I am to have a S.S. class of boys about 14 years old, perhaps not older than 13. Their teacher is going away and they say they would like me to take it so I am going to try hard to succeed. I shall study the lessons hard and attend a lecture in the S.S. lessons that is given every Sat. morn in Tremont Temple which Auntie attends, and is a great help. I think it is so wrong to attempt to teach a class in Sunday school without a great deal of preparation. If I can take German lessons this winter and have some work planned out in reading then I think I ought to be happy.
A letter from Lucy Smith Sat. wants me to go to see her this week, but I am not sure that I shall. She said she wanted a real gossip. I am hungry for a Sem girl myself.
Auntie expects to return next week. She is going to drive home with my Uncle through the white Mts. Think of the wealth of color that will flush the lanscape [sic] with beauty! I almost had the trip myself, but just got left his time. But this summer has been a happy one, and next summer I may have my share of trips.
It will take Auntie a week or more to drive home, and her horse is a fast one, a new one my Uncle got here in Vermont and so they take this way to get it home. I feel so badly that you are not as well, do take care of yourself, and don't do kind things for other people, but just be good to yourself alone. I am very well, and people have decided that the Sem. doesn't always ruin the health of its pupils. Alice B. wrote that the Oldhams had been there and gone for good again, gone for India.
You remember that [I] always did have a very tender spot in my heart for Mr Oldham. How I would love to have heard some of his good words again. Alice said that besides the money that he received at Sem. for a lecture he gave, the girls raised $84. You do hear more of the girls that I do, and I like your little bits of news. But hardly dare to repeat them for I find later that they are wrong.
What did you think of Risa Bonheim's face in Century. I was quite fasinated with it after reading the article on her. She must be so gentle and kind in her nature if every living creature learns to love her. Thi letter was intended for a short note but my pen would move on. Your letter did me lots of good and I love you so very much, but you must see that I could not reconcile Blanch's and your statements. Could I?
Ever your friend
Carrie