Hickman's Mill,
March 31, 1887 Mo.
My dear Nancy,
I know you think I have forgotten you, but I assure you that you are very much mistaken, and you will think so too when I explain why I haven't written. My winter term of school closed a little over two weeks ago and I had an entertainment the last day & that kept me busy for more than a month before school closed & I began teach a spring term last Mon[?]. So only had two weeks vacation and I had to put in that time sewing you know there is no rest for the wicked. I suppose you remember hearing me speak of Ernest Smith? I am boarding with his parents they have such a lovely place & are very kind. Ernest is in business in Kansas City. I have a three months term of school, so I will have taught nine & one half months when it is closed. I do get so tired of teaching, they give me thirty-five dollars per month & furnish a janitor. Did you ever see such weather. I am just crazy for spring to come and old lady, you have just got to come and visit me this summer so you need not say no, remember now I will take no denial. I heard from Lute over two months ago, but haven't answered her letter, just owe every one a letter, am going to answer all of them some day. I get a half holiday next Tuesday on account of school election. I wish they came once a week. I thought yesterday it was going to snow enough for sleighing. I just guess I did have some good old rides. I want to tell you how near I came to being killed about six weeks ago, there were eleven of us went to a party in a big wagon & when we started home it was so dark we couldn't see the road & the horse took fright & ran off a culvert & threw the horses on the backs & turned the wagon over & threw me under front which I thought my time had come, it took three of the boys to pull me out. I was bruised considerably & my eye was swollen shut for several days it didn't get well for four weeks; the boys said they could feel the horses feet fanning them when they were pulling me out, if the horses could have gotten up nothing could have saved me unless it had been a miracle. I must close for it is school time & I have written in such a hurry I don't expect you can read it. Write real soon. Love to Miss Lida and much for you. Direct to Hickman's Mills. Yours, Mattie