Searching for Susan

Susan refers to Edwin's brother James who sometimes preaches.I thank you for writing but was sorry you were obliged to take the time from your rest. I am returning the favor, however, in the same way. I have quite recovered from my cold but have felt unusually tired this week & perhaps had better say good night to you.

I am intending to go home tomorrow, if the day is pleasant. Will you expect a letter on Saturday now? I like very much to receive yours on Monday but must I wait till then?

If I should hear from you on Friday, you may look for a reply as usual, Saturday. I ought to apologize for so poorly a written letter. I have before me on the table those pretty little flowers which I found in yours. Thank you for them. And now, perhaps dear Edwin I have written enough unless it is better & hoping to hear from you soon. With much love, I am affectionately yours,

Susan Edwin receives her letter the following day and replies promptly.

Acton, Thursday evening. October 18, 1866

My dear Susie.

I thought I should not go in vain to the post office tonight and was rewarded by receiving your interesting letter which I will now answer and will you call it selfish if I say I do it not altogether for your benefit but partly for your pleasure and perhaps more for the promised reward. I have been down to my brother's this eve where we had a very pleasant sing.

Is not this delightful weather? How I should enjoy these beautiful evenings if I was where I could have you to hold the reins and take charge of the horse. I shall be strongly tempted next week if this weather should continue to take a ride "by the light of the moon" and if the distance is not too great I will give you the liberty to drive as far on the road to Ipswich as you please if you will only promise to return me home safely which I know you will do. I don't know as it would be best to take so long a ride as it would be from Lynn though I do not know the distance and perhaps if you should think of driving to Ipswich you would prefer to take the cars for Danvers and start from there.

If you could get out of school in season to take the 12.15 train from Boston it would give us a good long P.M. and then we could have a nice drive home in the evening. I have merely suggested how we could have a nice ride but do not wish to make any definite arrangement as it may not be in accordance to your views and I cannot now say when I shall be able to meet you. I am expecting the workmen next week to put in my window and shall wish to be at home when they come.

I am anxious to have that other job done which is not so pleasant to me but which I think will be as much of an improvement as the window will be to the house. I plan to call on the dentist on my way home from my next visit to you. If I knew your friendship was not dependent on the number of teeth I had, but I always thought I should not desire to go into company without them, but perhaps I may have different feelings when I am in that situation.

I always like to hear Mr. Phillips, but he must say some things that are objectionable. I was much interested in the remarks of Mr. Wilson at one of the revival meetings at Natick which I read in the Congregationalist this evening. It is pleasant to have such a man come out so bold on the side of our blessed Savior. It is so much in contrast with most of our public men.

It is so late that I must not write much more and as you thought yours needed an apology I know that this hasty letter will call for one, but you will excuse me from it this time. And now dear Susie I shall look for the Saturday evening letter unless you decide that this is not deserving it. Now bidding you good night I remain,

Very affectionately yours,

Edwin

The following letter accompanied Susan's correspondence to Edwin.

Lynn.

Oct. 19th, 1866

To the School Committee.

Thanking you for your favor while I have been employed in the city, & for your confidence shown in giving me the pleasant field of labor in which I am now engaged; having decided to teach no longer than this term, for the present, I resign the situation as assistant in the High School.

Hoping you will find one to occupy the place who will be better fitted & more faithful to the trust you have committed to my care,

I am very respectfully yrs.

Susan Smith