Independence, Mo.
July 20-1890.
My dear Girlie:--
Your long expected letter arrived at last and how very glad I was to hear from you again. I know you don't love me one half as well as I do you, or you would write oftener. Nan, it makes me sick to say it, but I suppose I will have to I cannot pay you a visit this summer and think I'll never say I am going any place again. I have been compelled to give up all my cherished plans and life is one continual disappointment any way; you don't know how I had set my heart on seeing you. I had rather visit you than any one and am so much obliged for your invitation, and you cannot know how sorry I am that I cannot accept it. Now, I will tell you of a plan I have, the General Association meets here the 15th of Oct. & lasts three days and Lute will be here and I will be home the last two days of the time & I want you to be here those two days so that we can be together, but we are not fixed very well to entertain company and you must not expect very much. Sister wants you to come but is so afraid you will not enjoy it but I'll risk it. I will enjoy having you any way, but I can tell you now, not a single beau will we have. I would insist on you coming now and staying several weeks, but Mr. Noland has lost very nearly all he had the last year and Sister is so sensitive and grieves so that it would not be pleasant for you and she hates so for one to have young ladies visit me, for fear they'll not enjoy their stay. Please do not mention this in your answer or let any one see it as this is a family matter, and of course a secret. Please do not fail to come; the C. & A.R.R. runs through here and your write me when you will come and on what road, etc. My school closed the 23rd of June. I had the "Cantata," Who Killed Cock Robin?" at the close and it was quite a success, the children did so nicely, I was very proud of them indeed, but dear me, it was so much work to train them. I hated to part with them so much as I had taught there so long and my boarding place seemed like home
I have a school close to Westport, it begins the 2nd Monday in Sept and is a 9 month's term. I get $50.00 per month this term. I am afraid it will not be as pleasant as the other but I am teaching for the money now.
Isn't this weather fearful? I almost suffocate and just think, I have to sew all these warm days getting me some duds for winter, don't you pity me? The last two weeks of next month I have to attend the Institute. I dread it.
We drove up to Westport yesterday and spent the day and last night the horse came very near dying, the men worked with her and we sat up with her until almost one o'clock, but I am glad to say, she recovered, the children liked to have had a fit, you would have thought Ella was dying, if you had heard them, they think so much of her. Talk of dull places, I think this one beats the world. I do detest it, and where we live now is like living in the country, and a thousand miles from nowhere, it is quite a task to go up town so far, consequently I never go and too far to walk to church twice a day. You good for nothing what are you going to have your teeth taken out for, I would have them fixed. When you come you and Lute & I will cabbage on to some of the young preachers that will be here, we are expecting at least a thousand visitors. I guess they'll have to pile up four and five deep, we are going to have our new church finished & dedicate it then, it is very nice & we are quite proud of it.
Mrs. Lida has my deepest sympathy that is the hardest trial we have in life, giving up our loved ones, but then think how much better off he is and all the sorrow and suffering he is saved for this life is full of trouble & disappointment.
I had a letter from Lute last week, the old girl has been on the grunting list, but is well again. Do you ever hear from Columbia, Mary or any of the old girls? You may just preparations to talk and be talked to death when you come. I am going to put in every spare moment looking at you. I must close for I have another letter to write and nothing to put in it either just like this. Now old girl, if you don't do better about writing I won't answer for six months. I want you to write right away and tell me you will come. Much love to Mrs. Lida and yourself.
Yours,
Mattie,
Box 605