Halfway Brook

I’ve been trying to keep busy a little by cutting fire wood, but this snow is so deep in the woods that it’s rather up hill work. I used to go skating last month sometimes, but of late the snow has covered the ice for good.

While I am on the subject, Mort, unless I strike something before that, I will be right with you to travel till we can strike a favorable position. I think the spring is the best time to go only we ought to get started midling early, Providence permitting.

I will try and get up to see you next month and then we can talk matters over. Someone is trying hard to get me a job up in the Catskills, but I have some doubt of their succeeding.

But if nothing unforeseen occurs, the indications are that you and I may still take that overland trip. George Beck was last heard from out in Missouri, so he is well on his way to Alaska. He promised to write to me as soon as he conveniently could.

I see your folks nearly every day. There have been no social gathers since Jan. 1st, but there is to be an oyster supper at I.M. Bradleys on February 5th.

I find that to accomplish our aims in life we must stick to it, although the way may be rough and dark, “Let us be sure we are right, and then go ahead.”

I am glad you are going to join the Methodist Church…

I think Walter [Styles] is very reasonable in his charge for the house. I suppose he will let you have a garden and the use of the lake…

I wish you would tell Father I have not forgotten him, but will try and write him a few lines.

Give my love to Brother Boyd. Is he going to do anything?

I arrived here safe and sound yesterday morning; came right to the Welland and then went to the school building with Lucy for my books and classification; but there were such a number of students that I was not able to procure either my classification or books until afternoon.

Mr. Poucher was here yesterday afternoon collecting, and I paid him $38 instead of $40 as I intended, because I did not have quite enough change left to get my notebooks.

Mr. Poucher booked me for 29, my old room. I’m real glad for I like it better than any other room in the house. I thought Mr. Poucher must have forgotten to keep me a room when I was registering yesterday afternoon.

“Why Aida, Do you think I would forget you?” Then he told me I could have 29. Now isn’t that just splendid? It is on the fourth floor and my board will be $73 this term instead of $76.

Everything looks natural and there are a number of the old girls here yet, so I have not been very lonesome or homesick. The teachers all seem to remember me and are very pleasant and kind.

Your kind and welcome letter was received some time ago, but I have not had time to answer it before, being kept so very busy with my lessons which are much harder this term than last.

We are not going to have finals this term, so it will all depend upon our class work and our impromptus whether we pass from our subjects or not.

I am getting along pretty well so far, but begin to feel rather tired, and shall not be sorry to see the first of June.

I had a letter from Lon a few days ago. He tells me that he thinks the trouble between Mr. Perine and the Church will end in a law suit. It seems strange they will act so foolish. I should think that by this time, they could see it would be better to leave him alone.

How is mother? Does she keep well this winter? I would write you more about the school and my work, but my head is aching quite badly and I am very tired and sleepy.

There was a terrible accident happened today. The train was wrecked and only two cars saved. So I suppose the mail train was destroyed and just to think neither one nor Mary can hear from our beaux…

Why don’t you come home? What can keep you? Can’t you get your pay, get enough to get home on some way. There is plenty of work here this winter. Come and see.

Your Father said to tell you that if you wanted to see me alive, you better come home. I guess by that he wants to see you and oh, I want to see you more than words can express.

Aida is going to school yet, but I won’t tell my news hoping that you may hear all by word of mouth.

Father is gone down to Canfield’s to spend the evening.

Scarlet fever is around here. There has 5 been killed with it. The teacher has stopped his school. I am sorry for I want to learn all I could this winter. I like the teacher first rate.

This winter has been the hardest in 25 years. The snow is 3 feet deep and it was outrageous cold yesterday.