Katherine Fletcher to Henrietta Fletcher, [circa 1887 September?]
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Thinking that perhaps you would like to hear from me to-night I lay my books aside for a few minutes talk with you.
Our class in Mineralogy and Mrs. Story had planned to go to Bridge Falls upon the rocks there and look for specimens this afternoon, but as it is raining a little now, we probably will not go.
I went to the Harvard Concert last night which opened the lecture course this
season. It was very nice. There is quite a jolly set of us that are
going to the course together this winter, so I think we shall manage to enjoy
ourselves tip-top. Prof. is now in Mass. and has been for a week but as soon as
he returnes I mean to go in and see him and see how much he will let
me have for my board. I dread it terribly, because I don't know just what to do,
but the sooner I see to it, the sooner it will be off my mind. I wish papa had
seen to it.
I haven't been well at all for the last week. I am so tired, & so nerved
up all the time I am just like some old lady. Prof. went
for me a few
days before he left us, about my not taking more sleep. He gave me quite a
curtain lecture, but this next week I mean to take more sleep and perhaps I may
not feel so badly all the time.
I don't mean to tell you anything that will worry you, but mamma, my hair is coming out terribly. The girls have laughed at me considerbly and have told me, "if it kept on I would have enough to make a descent [pug] out of." You would be surprised to see the thickness of it.
Probably you would like to hear how I am getting on in my school work.
I always dread to speak of this, for I do not like to have anyone sure of my
success. I keep it as silent here as I can for I do not like to have any out
side my class know anything about my standing. but there is no one in the
arithmetic class whose standard is any higher than mine is at present. My adv.
is 98 but the next review may take it down to 50. Hard telling. The under
classes said last Thurs. that to them it seemed as though our class had been
having a funeral there were so many sober faces after we had taken our review.
Mr. Hill, one of the members of our class, while wrestling with one of the other
boy last Wed.
broke his leg. But he is in hopes he can be taken to and
from school next week. I called on him the evening after the accident happened,
he seemed very disheartened with himself and everything else, he said to me
before I left, "Katie (nearly all my classmates now call me Katie) I mean to
stick to school no matter if it breaks my health down entirly and if I fail I
shall stay." But I feel that Mr. Hill is a true &
if God is on his side
who can be against him. O, Mama let me ask
you--for I can't keep silent any longer--do you feel you are on Christ's side
and trying to serve him? I hope you are, but you never speak of those things to
me, and I do not know.
It is the worst thing any person can do, is to try to live a silent Christian
Christ says, "we are his witnesses" and I mean always hereafter, where ever I
am, to say my word for him, and I can say that I
have had more true happiness since I made up my mind I would be his than ever before. and it is upon him I am leanin
feeling he will not let me fail this term.
Do you intend mama, to let me have your brown silk? Hearing the other girls talk reminds me that I must be thinking of mine too. I think plush or velvet to put with it would be very pretty but if it is a pleasant day Fri. that I am at home I think papa & I had better go to Burlington & see about it, after first talking with Mrs. Jones. at the Boro. There are so many things that I do want.
I must have Mrs. C. fix the skirt to my brown when I am home for it is not near
as
pretty as it might be if only that was fixed. When you can,
mama, without troubbling you, you may send me the money and I will
get a couple of wings for my hat, have been thinking of it for some time but
could not spare the money.
Will, in some respects be glad when Thanksgiving is here, for I would like to see you all. Please kindly remember me to Miss. Barton, a kiss for the children & all my love to you.
Kate.
Grandpa & Grandma were here this week. I saw Grandpa & had quite a talk with him at Mrs. Horner's but Grandma I did not see, as she stayed at Mrs. Warren's all the time.
Write me tomorrow,
mama if you care to.
I have attended five services a [Sun.] excepting one this term. Don't you think I do well. It makes me rather tired to do it though.
Aunt Dell called on me
last night.
Do you hear from papa? What kind of a report did Carrie give of my conduct here this term? I have thought of it several times wondering what she said of me.