Lamar, Mo.
Sept. 16th, 1884
My dear Nan,--
I am going to write and tell you some of my troubles. I have commenced teaching again. I took the school and had a very nice place to board and the woman had to get sick and she is going to have a young one to boot so I had to leave and get a new boarding place. Oh goodness! If you could only see me you would pity me, of all the places I ever saw this bangs the bobtail. I could cry for the whole five months. I almost wish I'd get sick so I could quit. I am in the hottest hole you ever stuck your head into-the perspiration is just running in streams. I haven't even a comb, glass or table in my room and have to wash with the family. I just detest school teaching. I am nine miles from Lamar and will only get my mail about once in two weeks. Oh! I am so homesick I would rather wash for a living than teach and board at such a place. If I ever home I'll stay there. Lute was to see me before I came down here, she is sweeter than ever. She only stayed a short time I was so glad to see her and would have liked to have had her stay longer but I had to come to this abominable old hole. I was awfully disappointed because you didn't come for I dying to see you, it makes sick to think of old times and then come down to the present. I guess I do remember that Maggie. Yes, I remember all those girls-wouldn't have thought they would have graduated so soon. I never have seen Prof. Rider. Lute saw him in K. C. he is one of the Prof. at William Jewell. Goodness Gracious! Don't talk to me about solid fellows while I am [illegible] I wouldn't [illegible] a boy come to see me here for a horse. When you have some made send one down after this everlasting old school is out. I feel just like murdering the whole school. Nan, you can't imagine such a place and I can't get board any place else the houses are just like hen coops. You must excuse this letter for I have nothing to write on but a little book and my ink is at the school-house. Write me a long letter and let me know what folks are doing in civilization. Write real soon and a long letter to cheer me up. Yours in sorrow,
Mattie.