Edith Emogene Austin writes her father, William Henry Austin, about going to college 1872
Lumberland January 1872
Dear Father,
Excuse me for failing to fulfill the promise I made while I try and redeem my word by doing what I should have done several mailing days ago. I meant to have written to you as soon as I heard from the Com. [commissioner] as I told you I would, but I was a little disappointed in the contents of his letter and as mother was writing I told her to tell you I could go to Albany if I chose, which was nearly all the information I received from him and I would mail, until I heard from Albany before writing to you.
Mr Bauman sent me a second account to Mr. Weaver, the Superintendent of Public Instruction recommending me to him as possessing the requisite qualifications for an appointment to the State Normal School, and directed me to write to the President of the School for any information I might desire. I wrote accordingly and received a reply from Mr. Alden Monday night. He says the term does not commence until the 3rd Wednesday of February so that I have more time than I thought I had. My tuition is free, and the books are provided for us. If I am there at the commencement of the term and stay ’til the close, my traveling expenses are paid to me so that there is no expense but that of board and I can hire a furnished room for 1 dollar a week and board myself. He says the majority of the ladies do this. I shall come to New York about the first of February…
I have given you the full particulars at least I have taken up room enough and I know you must be tired of hearing of Albany so I will take another subject.
To begin with, Mrs. Wells has gone to that trial? again and I am down here keeping house for her. I do not know when she will be back. Parker went out Monday. Youngs waited until yesterday. I was home a little while yesterday. Mother told me she had received a letter from you. They are all well at home.
Mort [this must be my grandpa who was 7 years old.] is getting better. He insisted about every day on going to the barn. He says he is well enough and doesn’t know what the cows must think of his staying away so long. He was out on the stoop a few minutes Sunday. But it has been so cold since that she has not dared to let him go out.
Julia Kyte died Monday night and is to be buried Thursday. I hear Mr. Webber is to preach the funeral sermon. They telegraphed to their friends in New York, Tuesday morning. It seems dreadful to think of it is so sudden. But very few heard of her sickness till the news of her death reached them. She was sick only one day. Dr. DeVenoge and Dobron? were both called, but human aid was powerless to save her from the grasp of the Destroyer. Truly “in the middle of life we are in death” and ought at all times to be prepared for his coming. I would write more, but I have no room and I fear you will hardly be able to read what I have written, but my excuse for poor writing is as usual, a poor pen and I might also be a poor writer.
Give my love to all my friends there. If you see Tina, tell her I will write as soon as I can, but I am very busy just now and have very little time for writing.
With love to my father and best wishes for his temporal and eternal happiness. I remain as ever his aff. [affectionate] daughter,
Edith E. A.