Bartlett, I. Chapin. Letter to mother (June 8, 1859)

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Danville June 8th 1859

Dear Mother

Amidst the press of study I am now stopping to give you a few lines. Therefore if I should not happen to be lengthy blame not me but the books. In a letter received from Pa yesterday evening I learned that he was when writing, about to start for St. Louis and is doubtless there by this time. So now is the time I suppose you miss me as much if not more then any other. Our session is fast hastening to a close and not many days must elapse and I will once more join you. And don't you think it natural that I should be homesick & with the close of June, 8 months will have passed into eternity since last I saw you all. Though I need not now begin to complain when such an auspicious moment is at hand, but only to make you [unclear: clearly?] sensible of the exceeding great fortitude with which I have hitherto borne up. Well I reckon it is about time to enquire how my room looks and to what unholy purpose it has been devoted. Are my books in good

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order and capable of bearing inspection, or have the four winds of heaven, or rather I had better say the four children, thrown them around in indiscernible confusion. You know what difficulties I experienced when I attempted to [illegible word] myself lord of the castle. However I am fully aware that everything (even those old [illegible words] behind the door) will have an air of the [illegible word] harmony. Tell Sis I have heared no music of consequence since Miss Julia and Miss Lettie left, so she had better prepare her fingers by a course of oiling. Do you ever hear anything of the Club? I know the young ladies have been anxiously enquiring about my return.

This is a mere excuse but as I told you above you must be content with even this and wait the time when you will be permitted to talk "face to face".

Love to all [Chapin scratched out]