Searching for Susan

In spite of the problem with Edwin's damaged nose, he managed to visit Susan over the weekend. It is later learned, they drove by carriage to Ipswich, the town of Susan's birth and where she lived until her mother died in 1861. Her father, of whom we hear little, still resides there. Perhaps Susan and Edwin met with him and announced wedding plans. We can only speculate.

After the twenty-mile trip, Susan drove Edwin by carriage to the train station. She returned alone, perhaps for the first time as everyone seems anxious.

Apparently wedding plans were discussed, at least between them, but firm commitments deferred. Susan must have agreed to give Edwin an early answer by the tone of her letter. It is Edwin's thirty-seventh birthday.

Danversport, Oct. 14th '66 Sunday afternoon

Dear Edwin.

This is what may in truth be called a rainy day and remembering your parting injunction to take care of myself, I have remained at home all day thinking it would not be provident to be out in such weather. A rainy Sabbath is usually a long day & I am taking a part of it for writing to you. I have thought of you many times since you left us yesterday & hope you had a safe & pleasant ride home.

Mine was such (only rather a lonely one); the horse maintaining his reputation as a careful traveler & I mine, as driver. He trotted very nicely & I held a tight rein as instructed to do, & passed all the teams in the road.

On reaching home, Charley had gone for more fish & I drove the horse to the stable, having taken in Julia as companion. Mary's fears had quite disappeared on seeing me reach home safely. I followed you on your way home, in mind; & if I should speak frankly, (& shall I not?) should tell you, it seemed a little lonely after you were gone.

Providence favored us with a pleasant morning, & we had a nice ride, did we not? I think I shall never forget the beautiful views which we stopped to admire. How much our Creator has given us to enjoy? Nature is ever beautiful & in all her works affords something in which we may delight.

This is a rainy birthday for you, but I know your happiness is of a more enduring nature than to be spoiled by such a thing. I sometimes wonder how those people who never have made Christ their true joy & consolation, can be truly happy.

Perhaps you have before read these beautiful lines of Florence Percy or really Elisabeth Akess; they have ever been very sweet lines to me & I think you will like them too, yet they can never, while you have your mother, give rise to the same feelings as they would were she "sleeping' neath the sod."

Elizabeth Chase Akers Allen was born in Maine. She began writing poetry at the age of fifteen under the pen name of Florence Percy. Although she achieved fame as a journalist and editor, she was best known for a single widely read 1859 poem. A Philadelphia newspaper reputedly paid her but five dollars for the submission. It is this verse to which Susan is referring. She continues to grieve over her mother's death.

Rock Me to Sleep, Mother.

Backward, turn backward, O Time, in your flight,

Make me a child again just for tonight!

Mother, come back from the echoless shore,

Take me again to your heart as of yore;

Kiss from my forehead the furrows of care,

Smooth the few silver threads out of my hair;

Over my slumbers your loving watch keep;-

Rock me to sleep, mother,-rock me to sleep!

Evening.

We are comfortably seated around the fire, but from the sound of the storm without, I do not anticipate much in starting for Lynn at half past six tomorrow morning; but I will not borrow trouble which may never come. I have rode in the storm & not found it unpleasant.

But I was to answer you another question which I have deferred till the last, and I do not know even now as its answer will be just what you may wish to have it. I think I remarked to you that in consequence of my having been in school so long I should need some time before coming to you. The space of two months from my coming from the school-room would be as little time as I should feel willing to allow; & I do not know as in this letter I had better give you that as a decisive answer.

I spoke, last evening with sister Mary, of your wish; she says she will not be selfish, for she knows I shall be happy, but she cannot bear to think of such a thing. Her feelings are very deep & it is not strange that she should sometimes give way to them. She does not speak in such a way because she would wish to influence me against my interest or yours. I wish you were here this evening & it seems as if I could talk with you better than my pen will write. I shall hope to hear from you on Tuesday & then will mail you a letter on Saturday - as usual.

Do you hear the wind blow? I hope you are not out in the storm. Hoping to hear from you soon dear friend & wishing you "good night".

With much love I am yours.

Susan

Edwin expresses his nervousness awaiting a response from Susan and wastes no time in responding once her letter is received. As was often the case, her correspondence was received the same day she mailed it.

Acton Monday Eve Oct. 15 1866 11:30 P.M

My dear Susie.

I know you will not think it strange when I tell you I came very near being impatient waiting for the mail tonight which was fifteen minutes behind the usual time, but when it came I was well paid for waiting, for it brought me news of your safe arrival home.

I felt sure you would have no difficulty for I noticed that you drove very carefully till out of my sight. You will not expect much of a letter from me tonight when I tell you that I have just returned from a meeting of our choir but I believe I promised you a letter tomorrow and I will not disappoint you, except in the quality.

We had a nice sing at Dr. Little's this evening and was treated with tea and coffee and several kinds of cake. As we started for home we called at Dr. Cowdy's and serenaded him by singing my favorite song, "Home Sweet home."

Saturday evening about the same hour I gave him a serenade of a different kind and with different feelings. On my return home I made the desired connections but did not enjoy the journey very much as I was troubled with the toothache. I believe I told you I had one that I was expecting to part with soon but was not thinking the time so near. It continued to trouble me all the evening and I retired early and slept about an hour and was aroused by the pain and concluded there was not much sleep for me and so I got up and went down to the Doctor's about 11 and had two of them taken out and came home and had a good night's sleep.

I do not think it is much of an improvement except in comfort and I had decided to go to Boston tomorrow and have eight more taken out and have a set not liable to pain or decay but my face being somewhat swollen I think I shall want a week or two before doing it. I expect there will be more necessity of my retiring to private life for a short time than there was with my unfortunate nose. Will you wish to see me while in that condition?

I believe I expressed the hope in my last that my next would not be a chapter on afflictions but you may think it is a little inclined that way. I suppose we are all liable to think too much of our afflictions and too little of our blessings.

What an uncomfortable day we had yesterday. It seemed to clear away on Saturday on purpose for our accommodation. I enjoyed the ride very much and thoughts of it are a continual source of pleasure. Our congregation was quite small yesterday. I suppose there are a great many fair weather hearers in every place. I think someone very excusable in not attending in stormy weather but there are too many who stay away and seem to be glad of such an excuse, which shows how little value they place on the blessings of the Gospel.

Saturday evening I took tea at brother John's where I found my friends from Billerica who came over to spend the Sabbath. They all took dinner with me. Mother also came in so that I had quite a respectable family. What a beautiful day we have had and I hope you have enjoyed it and this evening I could not help thinking what a pleasant one it would be for a ride and you know who I am thinking of when such thoughts come over me.

As usual, discussion of important items are left behind more mundane matters, and not addressed until the end of the letters.

I think I can appreciate your feelings at the thought of leaving home and friends for a new one and their feelings in parting with you but I know you will not blame me for wishing the happy day as near as convenient will you dear Susie?

It is late and you will excuse this hasty letter. Must I wait till Saturday before hearing from you again?

I also want to thank you for the photograph you sent. I must now bid you good morning and remain very affectionately,

Yours, EdwinEdwin seems a tad disappointed. Losing all his teeth can't be very pleasant either, in spite of his casual description of the extraction.