Halfway Brook

In February of 1876 Emma, her sister Aida, and their mother were in New York City. Aida, age fifteen, was attending school, like Emma had some years earlier.

“I did not go to school this morning because I did not have time to learn my lessons on Saturday…”—The Mill on Halfway Brook, p. 188.

Emma was helping care for two-month-old Tommy, son of her cousin Addie. On March 30 Emma wrote Chester, “As it is impossible for me to be your friend, I hope for a place on the list of acquaintances,” but also asked when Chester would visit them in New York City. Chester replied on April 17.

Walton, New York, April 17, 1876
My Friend Emma,
Yours of March 30 came in due time, was perused with pleasure and now as it is not the least possible trouble, but a pleasure instead, as it has always been before, I will try and manufacture a short epistle which cannot fail to pass unnoticed the keenest critic….

But enough of this. Spring is knocking at the door, the birds returning again with their joyful songs. Every thing is pleasant without. How I would like to be a little time with them as Spring bursts forth bringing with it so many things that make us happy. What better time or more appropriate season could we choose to visit our friends.

As to coming to New York I have not yet decided. I am yet in Walton. I may stay here more than a month and in less than one week I may leave town. I don’t think I shall go to the Centennial. Continue reading →

The year 1876 was a difficult one for the Austin family. Henry lost his New York City business as a result of the 1873 national financial panic and the 1875 depression. He returned to Eldred as a full time farmer.

Added to the Austin’s financial woes, Emma took on the responsibility for the care of her cousin Addie’s son Thomas, born in January 1876.

January 24, 1876
In January 1876 (seven months after his wife died) Chester wrote Emma.

Chester recalled his time in Lumberland and wanted to hear the news from Emma. His letter indicates that Lumberland was his first school and Emma was the first student who caught his attention. Emma must have teased him that his writing was boring, in previous letters.

Friend Emma,
As I sit by the window viewing the fruits of winter-barren fields and forests bare, with now and then a wandering snowflake coming slowly down as if reluctant to be seen alone upon earth’s broad domain, my thoughts revert to scenes that have passed and events that occurred during my four months stay at Lumberland.

And as I sit and think over the great changes that every day present themselves to view in places where I now am and wonder what they have been for a much longer time at Halfway Brook—And as I wonder my curious desire says—Emma write me a great long letter & give me all the news you can.

Your last remains unanswered if my memory serves me true for which an apology I’ll not try to make or polished words to give why I did not sooner make reply—yet you have not entirely been forgotten, like most of your schoolmates under my care for one term of school.

For meet them where I will their names I cannot tell and their features are all a blank—of course some few exceptions are; but in all the different schools I’ve been I soon forget the pupil’s name—except the first which stands in memory brighter than all the rest… Continue reading →

Chester must have been ill when he last visited Emma, who must also have been ill. In this next letter Chester invites Emma to visit him and his wife in Walton.

Walton, N.Y., April 26, 1874
Friend Edith,
Yours of the 23d is now at hand contents noted to which I with pleasure reply.

As to teaching the school I think I could enjoy it very well, but other things are to be considered as I have medicine to last more than one month that would be no inducement to lead me to take the school therefore I shall have to decline.

I should have come back and stayed with you that night had not the Doctor urged me so strongly to stay with him, then of course you could not have enjoyed my visit very much (as you were not feeling well).

I would like to have stayed much longer but my time seemed to be needed at home as it was good weather for making sugar while I was there and I had not a surplus of help at home.

I will try and stay longer when I come again. Write when you can and come and see us. Yours truly,
Chester Beers

The Country Versus the City
In July 1874 a tired Emma wrote her City Cousin Tina Austin.

“The country loses none of its charms by a contrasting view of New York City at this season of the year…

“I do not feel as if I could possibly teach now or should commence Monday. We are all well with the exception of Mother… Ever your cousin, E.E. Austin” Continue reading →

Emma was in New York City with her Eldred-Austin Cousins when Chester wrote her in August 1873. They continued to negotiate over photos. Chester’s mention of Jennie, may refer to his fiancé, who he married in November.

The October 1873 financial panic will have ramifications for Emma’s father, in 1876.

Walton, New York, August 30, 1873
Friend Emma,
Your last letter is at hand, contents noted also preceding one written sometime ago which I have neglected to answer. “Please excuse me for writing again.” Certainly wish I might get a chance to excuse you many times more.

As to the picture I will keep my promise or send me your “better one” and when I get some more taken you shall be remembered.

As we grow old we change and I would like to keep it to compare with one some years hence if it should be allotted us to be in this world then. I am one that prizes very much olden relics. I am satisfied with the one I have (your will not mine).

Then you wish to know how often I will write. Well that’s pretty hard to tell. I have been very busy this Summer or I should have written before now.

No, I am not fearful of losing all trace of my friends in Sullivan…yet I would like to know where some are and call and see them. Continue reading →

Halfway Brook Becomes Eldred
On February 12, 1873 Halfway Brook Village, where Emma Austin’s family lived, was renamed “Eldred,” in honor of Postmaster C.C.P. Eldred or his father James Eldred.
—The Mill on Halfway Brook, p. 172.

Albany Normal
In March 1873 Emma started Term 3 at Albany Normal. She had missed term 2 due to her health. Chester, in Walton, wrote to her in June.

June 1, 1873
Friend Emma,
Not having heard from anyone in your vicinity in a long time I guess I will have to renew our correspondence or lose every trace of little affections nourished in the wilds of Sullivan.

It would give me much pleasure to make you a visit such a pleasant morning as this when everything seems so happy. How, oh how, I could enjoy a ramble with you at this season of the year when the verdant meadows and pastures green, the dark wood, clothed in beauty of foliage, the soft sweet breeze and the deep blue sky all admit of nature’s change.

But there is no need of my talking about coming there at present. Time won’t permit. I heard that you was attending school at Albany about one year ago.

Since I left your place I have taught school every winter and only one summer the remainder of my time being spent in farming at home. Continue reading →

Along with describing her disgust at their schoolhouse, Emma’s April 1872 letters to her mother included her love of writing poetry.

Mr. Lindsley was one of the school teachers. Rebecca Eldred (age 30 in 1872) was Emma’s cousin. Chester asked about “Beck” in a couple of his letters.

Emma, Albany Normal, to Her Mother, April 7, 1872
My Dear Mother,
I was very sorry to…hear that Mr. Lindsley had lost his speech. I do not believe he will ever get over the effects of his winter’s teaching in Halfway Brook (which we call Lumberland). That schoolhouse is enough to kill anyone and ought to be burned down…

…I have been drawing maps and studying rules and explanations all day…I might better spend it in writing poetry, do not you think so?

…I suppose school will soon commence in the Village. Tell me the teacher’s name as soon as you know. I am interested to know if Beck takes it. Do you ever hear from Mr. Lindsley any more?
With best love to all, I remain, Ever your aff. Edith

Emma to Her Mother, May 19, 1872
My Dear Mother,
…I received a letter from Mary Darling last week. She thinks Maria Tassaskmass ought to take the village school and board at Sergeant’s…With love to all, and especially my mother, I am as ever, E.E.A.

Emma to Her Mother, December 29, 1872
Emma stayed in Albany over Christmas and hoped to visit home in January.

My dear Mother,
…I am so tired; and I cannot rest anywhere except at home…So Bea has taken the school again. That old building ought to be burned down. It is a perfect shame to have school in such a place…Ever your aff. Emma
—The Mill on Halfway Brook, pp. 165–172. Continue reading →

In February 1872 Emma Austin, age 21, began her first year at Albany Normal School. She rented a furnished room for a dollar a week. Emma commented on her health, classes, classmates, and places she visited in the many letters she exchanged with her parents.

In the following March 1872 letter to her mother, Emma compared Monticello Academy to Albany Normal; and had some harsh words to say regarding the schooling where she grew up. Apparently, she is waiting for Chester (Mr. B.) to write first.

Emma, Albany to Her Mother, March 1872
My dear Mother,
…I think this school is very good for those who intend to teach. But I think we could learn more in one year at Monticello Academy, than one can here in two. I am going over now what ought to have been taught me at school just as soon as I commenced studying—grammar, geography, arithmetic, etc.

I don’t believe a fourth of the teachers in Sullivan County or any other county for that matter, are qualified to teach…

I wish Mr. B. had sent a valentine or something so I could have written. It would seem kind of good to hear from him again. Please burn this letter won’t you. I am almost afraid to send this information for fear you will not get it. Emma —The Mill on Halfway Brook, p. 162–3.

Composition Corrections, March 1872
Mary Ann taught Emma’s sister Aida, age eleven, at home. In another March 1872 letter to her mother, Emma wrote corrections to Aida’s composition. Continue reading →

In the following letter to her father, Emma mentioned that Julia Kyte died (January 15, 1872). Julia, not yet 20, was the wife of William Kyte, son of Felix Kyte, the Congregational Church pastor. Chester asked about Will Kyte and Julia in his October 29, 1869 letter.

Emma, to her father Henry Austin, NYC, January 1872
Dear Father,
I was home a little while yesterday. Mother told me she had received a letter from you. They are all well at home.

Mort (her brother) is getting better. He insisted about every day on going to the barn. He says he is well enough and doesn’t know what the cows must think of his staying away so long…

Julia Kyte died Monday night and is to be buried Thursday. I hear Mr. Webber is to preach the funeral sermon. It seems dreadful to think of it, it is so sudden. But very few heard of her sickness till the news of her death reached them. She was sick only one day.

Dr. DeVenoge and Dobron were both called, but human aid was powerless to save her from the grasp of the Destroyer. Truly “in the middle of life we are in death” and ought at all times to be prepared for his coming.

I would write more, but I have no room and I fear you will hardly be able to read what I have written, but my excuse for poor writing is as usual, a poor pen and I might also be a poor writer.

Give my love to all my friends there…I am very busy just now and have very little time for writing.

With love to my father and best wishes for his temporal and eternal happiness. I remain as ever his aff. daughter, Edith E. A. Continue reading →

Chester was teaching in Deposit, New York, when he wrote Emma in 1871, month unknown.

Deposit, New York, 12th, 1871
Friend Emma,
Not having heard from you in a long time and thinking you could not have rec’d my last letter, yet you may have received it and forgotten (either intentionally or not) in which case I take pleasure in writing again.

I know that you are well aware that I cannot write anything of interest to anyone and thus it is with these few lines. I have learned from some of your neighbors that you were teaching school at intervals but the most of your time was employed in writing poetry for the Watchman.

But coming more directly to my subject I will have to inquire
After Billy Barker To know if he is well
And keeps that love for you Which he will never sell

Or does some other chap Walk in poor Billy’s shoes
Please write and tell me soon About this kind of news.

I’m teaching school just now Up in Deposit town
Now when my turn is done I think of coming down.

My friends I know are few And far apart may be
And thus it pleasure gives Those friends sometimes to see

I s’pose you’ll be at home For aught that you can tell
I’d like to visit you. I’d like it very well.

Then you must tell me all the news and furthermore
Please do not angry get At what I’ve said before.

I bid you now good bye Give my respects to all
And write when time you have, I’ll sometime on you call.

Yours truly, Chester Beers
P.S. in the dark—write soon. Continue reading →

Walton, July 1870
Friend Emma,
The shades of night they close around and the heated rays of the sun are seen no more.

I am seated not within your Father’s house to spend an hour with you in social chat, but far from there in Walton town.

Domestic pleasure reigns supreme. Now and then the lightning’s flash light up the heavens above and the thunder drum of heaven beats steadily along. Alone I am within my room. My lamp gives light to guide my pen. My thoughts go back where I have been.

It has been very dry and hot here, a splendid time for gathering crops of hay…As to wealth and beauty they are of little consequence. “Riches take to themselves wings and fly away” and the prettiest flower “it soon will fade.”
I’ll say with the poet: “The richest thing that one can find is to have a contented mind.”

In regard to that picture I shall do just as I agreed. You send me a better one and you shall have this one again. I don’t know as I am to let you judge the quality of the picture either.

If I change with you, it will be the third change I have made within a short time. I think this one just suits me. I never get tired of talking or writing for I never talk or write enough to get weary.
Write soon, Chester Beers

The Austins, End of 1870
One of Emma’s poems was published in Moses Dow’s, Waverly Magazine.

Sadly, in December 1870 the youngest Austin, Randolph, died. Not yet two years old, Randolph was their second child to die. Continue reading →