Westport, Mo
9/7 1890
My dear Nancy girl!
Your dear old letter old letter was received while I was attending the Institute and of course I didn't have time to answer it then and I have had no time since. I left home last Tuesday evening & went out to Bros. and stayed until yesterday, he brought me to my new boarding place and, oh, how lonely I feel this evening, the rain has just pelted down all day and rainy weather always does get away with me when I am away from home and with strangers it is ten times worse. I do hate to meet strangers at any time and there are so many here, they keep boarders from the city and it doesn't seem at all like home. I may get used to it bye and by, hope so at least. I don't like boarding any too well at any time unless it is some place which seems like home. There is one of the boarders that I am not very much in love with; she has the room next to mine & thinks she owns the whole house & all the people, she may fear acquaintance and I may like her which I prefer doing and will try to do.
You don't know how I dread this week, I will be so thankful when it is over for I know it will be one of worry and hard work. I feel like if I could have rested only one week I would feel so much more like teaching. I just get so tired & discouraged sometimes I want to give up and wonder what any one wants to live for anyway, for life is so full of disappointments. I must stop this strain or I will make you as blue as I am.
I was overjoyed when I read your letter and you said you would come to the Association, look for you I just guess I will and want you to come Wed. the 22nd of Oct. and stay until Sunday. I was mistaken about it commencing the fifteenth it is the twenty-second. I cannot get home until about six o'clock, but you write me what train to meet you and I will try and send Lute and if she isn't there you go right to J. T. Noland's (Joe), Woodland Ave. Now don't forget for there are a hundred Noland's in Independence and it may happen that I cannot get home until Thursday morning as it is two miles from the depot and perhaps it may not be convenient for them to send me. I will be so glad to see you and will almost count the days, don't talk of ugliness, I too have changed. I have had so much trouble and worry, I am anxious to see grandmother with her teeth all out. I am getting grey quite fast and by the time I teach school a few years more I will be white headed. I only weigh one hundred now so you know I am immense.
I too am going to fatten up for the occasion and capture a preacher and quit teaching and stay at home and mind the kids awhile he runs around and has a good time. I really must stop as it is getting dark enough to light a lamp and I have one more letter to write. I have written five with this. Now Nan, if you love me at all write immediately for remember how you like to get letters when you are away from home among strangers and take pity on poor little me. Give my love to all yourself the most & direct your letters to Westport, Mo.
Lovingly Yours,
Mattie