Kingsville Dec 15th 1847Dear Caroline,
I have just received your very acceptable letter, and as a few moments leisure are allotted me, will commence an immediate answer to be completed at some subsequent leisure. I well know the anxiety you have to receive a word from home, though it be but a few days since you left; my last winter experience taught me this. How long a fortnight did seem; and then at its close to receive no news from any source made it doubly long. Carly, does not a letter from an absent friend relieve the dull monotony of life, and afford a pleasing variety which all else fails to give, are not the spirits often revived by the gentle breathings of a kindred spirit from the far off East? does not your spirit yearn even now for one fresh breath from that source, or have you of late received one. But really, I have digressed from what I thought of saying, when I commenced the former sentence - - - - -
Ins. I should be happy to enjoy your pleasant room with you awhile, and forget all care of study, while we should converse upon some pleasing theme, such as future prospects, past pleasures, &c, would'nt [sic] it be pleasant? Surely nothing gives me more pleasure than when lonely to have a serial [?] chat with Carly, but although our friendly meetings are for a time interrupted, kind Hope points me forward to a time when they may be again renewed, and event to a time when we shall
we shallbe permitted to engage in the pleasing employment of searching for knowledge together: to this you hinted. My mind is as determined as ever, although no new channel has opened, through which I have reason to expect an execution of my purpose. The very sun dark this time but, with an "I will" for my guide, I trust to be conducted through it. I am glad to hear that you intend to write immediately, and shall of course expect to hear the result soon after you do from some source. I do not intend to get my mind so intently fixed upon this affair, that a disappointment would disable me for my duties, but still the feeling will remain with me, it must be done. Enough of this for it is an old story. - -Well Cary, I am really glad that you are so pleasantly situated, and above all are not homesick, though doubtless you would like to see home, especially when Saturday night comes, I imagine I can see you stepping around the school-room with the authority of a school-teacher! now and then calling some little urchin to an account. What a variety the schoolroom affords when well filled, does it not? here one studying there two playing, and to give a still greater variety the intermediate spaces filled with the dull, dronish, heartless ones. Carly what is so despicable as the drone! what so trying to the patience, I hope you are so fortunate as not to be troubled with such inhumane creatures but if you are it is strange! I think you must be very busily engaged and hope as pleasantly; 'Tis pleasant to teach those who love to gain truth, is it not? I find it exceedingly so: and how the fondest affections will cling around those who are faithful to their task: there are some under my instruction this winter, who cause my heart to beat with gratitude toward them, by their faithfulness, such ever shall live "in memory's sacred urn". - - - - - -
Good evening Sis, I am really glad that another leisure has come to give me the opportunity
has comeof speaking to you, though I recive [sic] not an immediate response to all my queries. How does this (Friday eve) find you? wearied by the toils of the day? mouring [sic] over some misconduct of scholars? or brisk and cheerful? Don't let little trifles perplex you, (which is too commonly the case with the teacher), if so you will have continual care that will result in a decline of health.You inquired something about our wild students. Would that I could tell you of a reform, but as yet they are about as bad as ever, and cause their kind teacher more trouble than all the rest of the school: he has talked with them and advised them, all to no purpose. They will visit and it so happens that there are some ladies just foolish enough to receive them at any hour. What fools! What inhuman beings!! beyond description to send the very heart's care of this one who feels so deeply for them. It is a decided point that there is to be a reformation, or they are to leave, and thus right speedily too. With the exception of those few the school seems to be perfectly orderly and desirous of learning.
If it should happen to be good sleighing next Saturday you need not be surprized [sic] if you should see Mr Bliss and myself up your way; unless it is good going you need not of course expect us[.] I do hope it will be for I want to see you very much also some of the rest of the people in G-. I have no place to run to when lonely, so am obliged to drive my lonely hours away by anticipations alone[.] Oh that an hour of anticipation, might be exchanged for one of participation don't you say so Carly. I wonder if C has written to ___ since she has been at Geneva, as has she not indulged in those "girlish" feelings? if she has not, I must acknowledge myself somewhat swayed by them for I could not wait longer. Was it folly, Sis? - -
I presume I shall omit somethings, about which you could like to hear if so please to send
to sendme a letter, stating the same and you shall receive a speedy answer. If I should not see you soon after you receive your news about that school wont you write so that I can be preparing my mind for the event. I hope to see you however and receive [...] news for we have had some snow, which is somewhat flattering in respect to the traveling, the goodness of which is to decide whether we are to see each other. I ask Mr Bliss what I shall say for him, he says. Tell her I am very nervous because Martha has been tickling me. Now Carly you know we must have a little nonsense and sport once in a while. So, to see him squirm, and for exercise you know I just touched him but stop, what nonsense to close with, but [...] me wont you for you know I sometimes and very frequently am foolish. Carly I must say Good nightYour friend
Martha