V.C. Dec. 6, 1868
My dear Brother,
I received a short letter from you the first of the
week, and have been hoping, ever since, to hear from you again, especially
In regard to my coming home. I am very anxious to do so, more to see
you than for any other reason, and dear little George. If Carlos could be
there too, at the same time, I should be glad. 1 am thinking some of going
to Pittsburgh, if I do not come home: but Shall not decide until I hear from
you and Carlos.
You speak to me of Mary. Her load is heavy enough, and could I
add to it by my blame fc censure, I would not do it, or could I lessen it by
worthy
any.means I should not hesitate to do so. In the rise and growth of the
trouble between you, I can not consider her wholly without some blame,
although the great burden of it falls on you. It is a hard matter to judge of
her final course, and as the Great Master has told us to "Judge not," it is
unnecessary for me to do so. X believe her course costs her as much self-
sacrifice as it does you and that she takes that course because she believes
it to be right, and as much if not more for your sake than for her own. I am
afraid I am not charitable enough to say the same honestly of Mrs. Bell,
anyway and am wavering as to Mr. Bell. But let that pass.
I have had a glorious walk this morning. There was a heavy fall of
snow yesterday and last night. This morning the sun came out bright, and
the air was most delightful, and exhilarating. We have a most glorious
Dee. 6, 1868 - 2
picture-gallery spread out before our view of ever-new and ever-changing
scenes. Our North windows give us a view of Po'keepsie and beyond the
Catskills rising till they are lost in the clouds. On the West we see a roll*
ing country until our eye is arrested by the Highlands just across the river.
The shadows of th^louds on these hills are beautiful, and, oh, the sunsets.
I never saw such glorious, wonderful sunsets as we have here.
It is only a little more than two weeks now before College closes,
so I shall have to decide pretty soon where X will spend the time. The
vacation is very short. Just two wefeks I believe from the day College closes,
It opens. I might, if it were really necessary, have my vacation prolonged a
few days. I hope the weather will be good at that time. How is your cough
now ? You do not say any thing about your health. W e are very busy prepar-
ing for a Society Entertaiament which is to come off next Friday. We have a
very pretty little drama written by our clsss poet, for the occasion. I shall
be glad when the affair is over. Last Friday evening I spent a very pleasant
evening at one of the Professor's house. Six of us were invited to tea, aad
enjoyed ourselves very much in the change. Tomorrow evening we are
(when I say we, I mean the Seniors) are invited to the President's, to hear
him read "Macbeth". He is a fine reader, and I am looking forward to a
treat.
X hope my little details of my life do not annoy you. I want to write
to you, and as I am limited in my movements am necessarily limited in my
Dec. 6, 1868 - 3
subjects of intelligence. I hope to hear from you soon, my brother.
Accept my best love end prayers. May God guard and preserve you.
Your sister,
Annie*
,Annie (Glidden) Houts, <69,