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Dear Bell.
I am afraid my letter is begun, so near the last hour, that it will hardly reach the College much before I do, still mindful of my promise I will commence now this stormy evening.
We had a very disagreable ride down to the boat that night we started - there were eighteen inside the omnibus, beside at least three on top - I was not feeling well, and the motion made me sick and you may be sure was very glad when "at long last" we reached the landing. The boat had not yet come and we were obliged to wait a half hour I should think, in the office where there was a great scarcity of chairs. Mr Swan saw us safely on
and eating crackers and walnuts until past ten, of course we had a good time; Sarah and I had the bridal chamber, so she said, at least it was a very pleasant little state room with only one berth in it and that a broad one so that we were quite comfortable ~ except for the linen sheets, unless you have been between a pair of them in the winter time you can-not possibly realize our sensations. We did not sleep so very well, Sarah, of course, had made the most of her opportunities to take cold and had the neuralgia in the stomach - one of the Chidseys next door was sea sick and Miss
We started from the boat at about six and had a long walk through the streets of New York before daylight * and a long ride just at dawn, to the New Haven depot.
Miss [Mitchell], I do love so much, it will always be one of my happy memories that she kissed me good bye - when I had reached home at last - of course it was a very ordinary thing - but then I did not expect it from her
help it. I wish you could look in upon our little circle tonight - from
I am so soon to be separated again. I have a very quiet time quieter than
any of you girls would imagine - but just what I knew my Christmas would
be - for we are very quiet people; still I have not been at home an evening
Dec. 28, 1865 - 3
before this week since Monday that is - I have spent two away, and
that will probably be all - before I go back to College again. Of course
it is happiness to be at home. I called upon Carrie Galpin the other
morning - she stopped over night in Brooklyn at her cousin Rienzi's,
had a safe journey and like my own I suppose without incidents.
Father just now looked up from his book and asked what I was
writing - "a letter to Bell" I
Belle lettre - and of course after that speech, has subsided into his book 1
again. Clara is playing in the parlor "Ever be Happy" - there is some-
thing very sweet about that piece I think dont you? Mother sits sewing
by my side in my new brown merino, in which I expect to appear next
term. By the way what awful weather it has been, this is the fifth stormy
day this week - I long for a beam of sunshine. It Is well I have torn off
this half sheet or I might run on indefinitely longer - as it is my space
being finished I must say good night to the friendly face that I have called
up in imagination before me, hoping that when the real eyes see this scrawl
of mine, they will not "view it with a critic's eye but pass by the imperfec-
tions
of them to make the most excuses for. Remember me to all the girls at
the College that I know - and tell Miss Hubbard from me that if she wants
to find true and lasting happiness, she must remember and be a good girl
Keep up your spirits Bell and the credit of room sixty-one I think that is
good advice
Yours with love
Iiouise
To Belle Treadwell