Minneapolis, Minn., Oct 8, 1906My dear Alice:
I was so glad to hear from you. I have wanted to write, but I have not felt well this summer and I have been very. [sic] I have an almost constant ringing in my ears, which is purely nervous, does not affect my hearing at all, but it is very aggravating. There were teaching and ome cares, and when I was through with these, I was too tired to write. One teaches in so many different directions, and has such a wide range of subjects [like?] tutoring that she gets more tired.
Last winter I taught at the Y. W. C. A. and have class there again. I will send the little paper which will show the work done there. I am very hungry for my dear old friend Alice sometimes, if I have not written, I know how busy [you] are and do not keep any debt and credit.
Your house is a large one to care for, and you have demands in so many directions. Shall I ever go east again? I think so, I have a definite purpose. 1909 will be the fortieth anniversary of our class at Mt. Holyoke I am very anxious to go to that re-union. I have kept in close touch with my classmates, and loving little messages come to me from them now and then. Rates to the east are very low in the summer. If I do not get there before then I think I may at that time.
I have just returned from a visit to Marshall where we once lived. I left then twenty one years ago next December and have never been there since. I found many friends considering the time that has passed. I was entertained in six different homes besides the one in which I visited. I really had a very pleasant visit. It made one very keenly alive, to the loss of mother and Emily. I am such a lonely woman, in my heart, Alice. If one person in the world really needed me, I should have more courage. I am not at all necessary to my own family, and the outside work that I do, could just as well be done by some one else - the world would nag [?] just as well, I presume if it were not done at all.I spoke in Marshall, at the praise meeting of the missionary society. A Sunday evening service - I spoke for half an hour, gave an informal talk at the W. C. T. N.
It is taking all my courage to keep wriggling just now. I think I am somewhat exhausted nervously.
I have not many private pupils now, but presume I shall have more in a week or two. Thank you for the little book mark. I have had the substance of it repeated to me but have not had it in form before. I do not think I shall pass it on. It will give me much pleasure to use the same kind of book that you are using!
Bessie has just returned from a trip to Denver and Pike's Peak. I have not seen her since her return. She has enjoyed it very much.
I wish I could talk to you for an hour. The friend that I visited in Marshall, says I am such a New Englander, that life elsewhere has not modified my New England characteristics. I certainly am very keen for New England ways and New England words. It is a little hard, after all, for one to adopt one self to different sections.
I am inclined to think as people grow older there is an assertion of earlier life and habits of thought that does not come in the prime of middle life.
I often run across the passage, "Thine age shall be as clear as the noon day." I am hoping in some way that I can for a little while, have a place all my own, and be at home. It seems such a restful possibility, but very much of a possibility it depends upon myself, but God is not niggardly in supplementing our efforts. He likes to have us the things we desire, if our desires are right.
What a pleasant trip, the trolley ride has been for you, if you only have had nicer weather. A good many things have happened, since that day that we left Boston. Thirty two years of living. There ought to be some very good things between sixty and seventy.
Nellie has known limitations so long, and few have been have been [sic] so hedged in that do not show more scratches from the thorns in the hedges than she. Give her much love and tell her how much I should enjoy a "crock" [?] with her in the Southbury home.
My brother is not very well, leans pretty heavily on his wife. He will have a better time in heaven than on earth. It is well to be able to deal with earthly forces, but it is a very blessed fact that the lack of that power does not unfit one for the Kingdom [of] Heaven. There are so many things I should like to talk to you about. This seems to be rather a self letter. you won't mind will you? I do hope you will have strength for your day, that you may have sweet peace, and some joy as well -
Your loving -
RobbieM. J. Robinson 125 West 26 St. Minneapolis
I should think Mr. Francis might be sucessful in business. With the present age standard it is well if a preacher has business ability.