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January 22nd '96 My Own Darling, I am ashamed of my letter to you thus far this week. What a masterpiece of hypocracy that general information letter, (for the use and perusal of the family), was. You don't know how hard I found it to write when I pictured other eyes than yours scanning critically each line and phrase.
I remembered the 19th all day long, but forgot to speak of it to you until I had sealed the letter. "blessed 19th"
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I am glad that you read to me on Sunday afternoon and that you went over and spent that quiet hour with my dear sister at dusk Sunday evening. You will find Laura always a verily companionable friend. Her thoughts and aspirations are pure and noble; I [underlined: know] , because I have planted, tended and watered the garden of her innermost life, for these many years and I glory in its beauty, as though she were my very own child, and I were responsible for her. My little Natalie is growing daily under my hand, as I get a wedge in gradually here and there in her poor too frivolous mind. Her Mother I find, too, is much in need of teaching on many points, and I spend hours often of an evening discussing the rights and wrongs of many serious problems. This sounds conceited and egotistical, for me to talk in this way, but Darling I always tell [underlined: you the truth] and I find every where
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people of all ages, whom I seem to be able to help & teach, I sometimes think that a very old head got by mistake onto my body. But I am thankful to God that he has given me my share of wisdom and the courage to expound it. My Cousin Miss Randall called yesterday and invited me for Sunday - I believe I shall like her very much. Mr. Chapmann, who holds, in New York, the same position of influence, that Tomlins holds, in Chicago, has invited me to sing before the "Rubinstein Club" at one of their rehearsals, soon. It is a great opening if he happens to like my singing
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Well, Clarence, dear, the time is flying along and it is getting towards bed time, still I find it quite as hard to say goodnight as of old, at the front door. When you happen to be at our house, there is a calendar hanging in the corner of my book-case, turn to Feb. and read the quotation. See if your heart has not echoed it at least a hundred times. Tell your dear Mother I will write to her soon
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Mrs Hulbert also: if any of you have the opportunity to tell her so. She has done a great deal for me, Clarence, and I owe her a debt of gratitude. Give the dear old German people my love and address an envelope, or rather, I will enclose one, ready for them to write me a german letter. God bless them, for they are truly his servants. Now, darling, I must close, so I can read my psalms and then talk with Our Father in Heaven. God guard you & keep you from all ill my beloved one. Your faithful loving Grace
