Kingsvill[e] [...]. 1850.Dear Carrie
I suppose you begin to look very earnestly for a letter about this time. Well you shall have it.
It is Saturday morning after the close of the first eleven weeks of school. I have just got up, and made my fire, now here I am by my old table again. Always as I seat myself by its well known leaf for the purpose of writing a thousand recollections come rushing before me. Again I almost live over those sweet days spent here with long tried friends. For it is this morning, the pleasant house that you and I have spent together come vividly before me in the stillness of the morning. Although they are past their memory is sweet. I wish you were here to spend the day with me. What fine times we would have, but such thoughts I must not indulge for it only gives me pain to know my earnest desires cannot be gratified you can probably fully realize the meaning this sentence being so long separated from all your dear friends.
I have not seen any of your people since I wrote you last, you may think strange of this, but my time has been so fully occupied I have scarcely spent an hour from home and school this winter. I try to be faithful to my charge and I find but very little time to do anything else. The school passed off very pleasntly last term, much more so than I had ever anticipated. The next commences next Tuesday after the short vacation of two days, very many of the students are to remain so it will not seem so bad as to form entirely new acquaintances. - - - -
Tuesday eve. I designed to have finished this letter and sent it out Saturday night but before our morning's work was done and I [was] ready again to visit my dear C. cousin Ensiba Tobis [?] came to spend some time with me and of course interrupted my intended visit. Of course I was glad to see her but I knew how anxiously you would be watching every mail, and Oh, that pain of disappointment one feels when tidings then [?] but never for them. How I do want to see you, yes I guess I does. -
Well just as I finished the last sentence one of the students called, and made quite a long stay, now it is after eight it almost seems fated that I shall not finish my line. You know my speed never quite equalled yours. I had a letter from Lizzie this morning, the dear creature is happy as ever, have you written her yet? I you and she were only with me tonight how many things we could say couldn't we. But no we are doomed to be severed from those we cherish most fondly, it sometimes seems hard but it is wisely ordered thus by a kind Providence. A sigh will oft from memory spring, in recalling the scenes of happiness and pleasure spent with those who are now scatted far away, that sigh would fain bring back those days but time's resistless wing still moves on without lending his sympathy. I cannot say that I would recall all the scenes of life no, far from this but there are eras even in last years history that are exceedingly pleasnt, not taking into the account our first, third-room-mate. Oh dear me, I could'nt and wouldnt endure it again, but enough of this. Pardon me for even mentioning the awful calamity. -
I wonder what you would like to hear about. Let's see what I did like, last year, school singing school, &c yes most everything that comes from home is'nt it so. Our second term has just commenced to day so know but little about it ourselves. Mr. Cone has a large singing school, the lower room of this Academy is crowded but I am not one of the number. Do you think I would attend here after my thorough course of instruction last year at H? You know I have given you some hints concerning Mrs. Graves' health. Well, she has presented her husband with a fine little peaceable boy. I might detain you with an account of church matters but it cannot interest you suffice it to say we have no minister yet and Obed [?] is more officious than ever, but this I pass hastily for it is an unpleasant theme to dwell upon. I wish I could see your people before closing this letter, but it will be impossible for it must go out to-morrow. They are well I presume or we should have heard something from them. I am progressing some in my French I wish you were here to study with me.
I had a letter from Luke last week, good of course. As you hear from often, he is so kind as to favor me over in three or four weeks. I have heard nothing from H-, except what you wrote me in your kind note. Please remember me to all the friends. Are the Misses Hollok [?] there? I think I shall write to some of them soon if I can possibly obtain time aside from my other studies. I have but one friend that I am more faithful to, then to you, you will allow me that will you not? Carly perhaps you rather I would not speak of my dear friend, but as I have ever talked freely to you of him I still would desire it, though certainly not if it is unpleasnt in the heart to you. I never would occasion a christian friend one moment of sadness. We have ever been as sisters so let us ever be. - - -
All around me have retired Ensiba to my own little room, and the boys just on the other side lay talking over some of their adventures, now I am alone yes alone. Oh, for some kindred spirit nigh to whom I can breathe the fulness [sic] of my soul and need no [...] response, yet I will not complain when I remember how far dear Carly is from all her friends. Home is the dearest place on earth thus it ever has been and thus may it ever be wherever it may be. Home and friends choice, blessed tithe. -
I want to hear from you, and know how you get along this term. Would'nt you enjoy yourself better teaching in this section somewhere? it seems to me so, but perhaps not. I wish you had a knowledge of the Languages, you would find it quite a help to you in obtaining a situation in some Acd. or Sem. If you ever have an opportunity of studying the French teacher more than the Latin. -
I get but little time to read. I regret it much but cannot help it, for the rest of my time it fully occupied. I am very tired to-night and it is after the usual time for the tardy bell to strik[e].
Do write soon, and dont attribute any delay to a wont of interest for I have not as much time to write as when at H-
Pleasant dreams to you.
Good night.
Your affectionate sis,
M.