The correspondence continues with Edwin writing Susan a mid-week letter.
Acton Wednesday Eve. 10 o'clock October 3, 1866
My Dear friend.
I was made happy this evening by receiving your long and friendly letter and thinking that it may add to your pleasure to receive one from me tomorrow I will write this evening not regarding the late hour.
What a nice cool evening we are having and it seems real pleasant to have a fire even if one has to enjoy it all alone. I am trying your remedy for loneliness and have no doubt I shall find it a sure preventative.
I have gathered a quantity of dahlias and other flowers in anticipation of a frost tonight and shall be able to furnish the last bouquet of the season next Sabbath "without regard to the weather." I was glad to learn of your success in nursing and of the recovery of your sister. If I am troubled in that way, I shall know where to find one who has had experience. I was happy to know that there is a prospect of obtaining a pardon from your sister without taking any unpleasant measures to get out of the "difficulty ". Perhaps I had better settle with her myself.
I have attended the usual Wednesday evening meeting after which I made a call at John's and had a nice treat on watermelon which I believe is not your favorite fruit. I think you will find your fire quite a comfort tomorrow and I was relieved to learn of your independence in that respect. I finished taking up my plants tonight and I think I shall be able to find one to take care of them and will not trouble you to look further. Will not that be pleasant to have a home with a lover of flowers and a true friend to enjoy it with me?
This morning I went up into the cupola and took a look at the beauties of nature.Edwin is referring to the cupola which tops the Exchange Hall, a 3-1/2 story wood frame building in Acton. It was built in 1860 and is still standing. The first floor was originally used as a dry goods business while the third floor was an open space used for civic, social, and religious functions.
Edwin first met Susan early this year, in the winter, when his brother James brought her and her landlady and friend Mrs. Hills to Acton for a visit. He took Susan to the top for the view, as he is doing this day as he describes.
The forests are looking very beautiful with their autumn colors and the New England autumn of which so much has been written is truly a very pleasant season. While there you will not think strange if I tell you that my thoughts went back to the time when we first met there last February and the many pleasant hours spent together since that time and may we not hope that there are many more in store for us?
Father went to Boston this morning and will not return till tomorrow night. John returned this evening. I think of visiting my friends in Billerica with mother if the weather is favorable.
Yesterday we had an "arrival" of a traveling photo salon so that I shall now be able to get my supply of pictures "at home" but I think he will find me a poor customer. I know you will not advise me to make any more investments of the kind till my present stock is somewhat reduced.
Brother John went into the Democratic State Convention this P.M. and said they had a noisy time and felt thankful that he did not belong to that Party.
You were right in thinking I was alone today for I had the whole shop to myself a part of the day, the workmen all being out doing the harvesting. And now dear Susie I have not felt at all lonely having passed the evening very pleasantly but am looking forward to one next week which I hope to spend more so. I feel like singing that ancient tune, "Fly Swift Around" but I fear you will think I am getting sentimental and will close hoping to hear from you, you know when, if not before. I will bid you an affectionate good night and subscribe myself very truly yours,
Edwin
Susan responds at the end of her work week while still in Lynn.
Lynn, Friday, Oct. 5th, 1866
My dear Friend.
It is almost the hour for retiring & yet I must make the evening a little longer that you may not be disappointed when the mail is opened tomorrow. Another Friday reminds me that the term is wearing away & that tomorrow I may hope to be once more at home. Last evening I attended the sewing-circle & on my way received your letter from the office. You were very kind to write so soon on the reception of mine.
I need not tell you I was glad to hear from you, but was under the necessity of letting the letter lie in my pocket till I returned home. Was not that a trial of patience? I dare say you have enjoyed these fine autumn days & think you can have fine opportunities for viewing the changing forests.
Miss Lewis, my helpmate, at Gravesend, called this afternoon on her way from school, & she had with her a fine collection of autumn leaves, I enclose one or two thinking you may prize them coming from some of those pretty trees which we have seen when in that vicinity.
I enjoy my warm recitation room so much that I do not know but I speak of it in every letter. You will excuse me if I do so will you not? I do not want to think that winter is following so closely upon us, for I do not think I like cold weather as I used to do.
Some of my scholars came to me today to know if they were not going to recite to me in Latin next term. They wanted to recite as they do now. What could I tell them? I told them I did not think any arrangement of classes had been made for next term, & referred them to Mr. Hills.
I anticipate hearing Mr. Gough's lecture next Monday evening & wish you could enjoy the same entertainment. I will try & hear for you if you would like to have me. Shall I see you a week from tonight? I presume I shall be in Boston to attend the convention Thursday afternoon, but shall return to Danvers at night. When may I look for you there? Susan is to attend a teacher's convention in the city.
It does seem a long while since I bade you good bye so hurriedly that rainy morning; & yet I believe it is less than two weeks. I have just looked at my watch & it says 11.5; if I bid you good night, you will hardly be paid for visiting the post- office, & yet having that weariness which Friday always brings, perhaps you will excuse me from saying all I would like to at this time. May I hear from you on Monday? & I will try & be prompt in replying.
Hoping for a letter soon, & which will be pleasant, to see you before many days, again, dear friend, I will bid you good night & with much love remain, yours, Susan.Edwin replies the next day.
Acton Sunday Eve Oct. 7th 1866
My dear
Another of those beautiful Sabbath days of autumn is now closing and how can I spend the remaining moments more pleasantly than in answering yours received last evening? We have had excellent preaching today, by Mr. Turner of Waverly, who exchanged with our minister. I furnished the last and best bouquet of the season today and have enjoyed the usual privileges of the Sabbath but I fear I do not prize them as I ought, or as I should were I to be deprived of them for a season.
I thank you for the fine specimens, of the forest leaves from the trees I have enjoyed so much, which I have placed with the flowers from Mr. Black's & Co. I think you are very excusable in speaking of your warm recitation room and it is much pleasanter to me to hear about it than it was of your cold damp room. Your answer to the scholars' inquiries is as good a one as I could give as I suppose you did not wish to wound their feelings by telling them why they could not recite to you next term.
While we are unfortunately not privy to their discussions, it seems the decision has been made that Susan's teaching days are soon coming to an end.
I shall think of you tomorrow evening as having a nice treat and wish I could share it with you, but as I cannot I will accept of your offer to hear what you can for me. I trust you will have a pleasant time attending the convention Thursday. I am anticipating much pleasure in meeting you during vacation. If the weather should continue pleasant I am thinking some of driving over with our team if I can get Sister Martha for company in which case I may call on you Thursday evening. If I go by rail I shall hope to see you Friday. I can say that I have the same feeling in regard to the length of time since we bid each other goodbye and hardly feel reconciled to so long a space between our meetings but I suppose you will say the fault is all my own to which I must plead guilty. I also received a letter from my brother James last evening. He said he had not seen you since we called on him. I presume you have seen him today. Last Thursday Mother and I mad e a visit to our friends in Lowell. We made a call on friends in Concord, and I made a business call in Bedford and finding the friends in Billerica away we went to Lowell and spent the day returning after tea.
We wonder if Edwin saw his sister-in-law Lizzie on this trip. It would be interesting to know how she took the news of his commitment to "the woman from Lynn!"
The frosts have about used up my garden for this season. My dahlias I dug up and put into the cellar yesterday ready for the spring campaign.
While wheeling down the last load I made a misstep which was rather an unfortunate one for me as it gave me a bloody nose and somewhat the appearance of a fighting character , which I do not feel that I am entitled to, not so serious however as to prevent my attending church today. And now dear Susie if I follow your example I shall close here and perhaps it will require more patience to read what I have written than it did to wait to read my last. Feeling that you will fulfill your promise to answer promptly I will bid you good night. I will look for an answer till I find it. With much love I remain,
Very affectionately yours,
Edwin