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Dear Friend. As Ann has given me permission to write upon this unfilled page, I will write you a few lines. Your very kind letter I received last Monday and would have replied but last week was the most busy week I ever saw and I had the poorest lessons and studied the hardest too, which is rather discourageing. Yesterday I attended church and saw the Minister get mad at his congregation in the pulpit. A little the worst manifestation of wrath I ever witnessed. Don't you think we have a good example of patience and wisdom for the week? His face glowed with a fiery hue and his eyes flashed as well as any thing can that is the color of lead. He said "Let us pray" in rather a strange tone and it seemed to me to be a queer prayer. I am getting along very well (though last week was an exception) am studying some this term, like the teachers very much wish. I had never studied Latin at [M.?] We have heard to-day that the Army of the Potomac is upon the march. Strange [conjectures?], hopeful thought possess all. The inquires arise what will the result be? where will the army stop? what will they accomplish? May the loving kindness of God protect them all. Oh may the time be hastened when the blood of countrymen will not be spilled in defense of Country's right but when all will live in peace which true Liberty and not sham Liberty will bestow. Ann is waiting for me to close so I must say Farewell, excuse haste
I am yours truly as ever
[Nancie?]
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[DEC. 1861]
I wrote to Henry and told every bit of news, and so I have nothing to tell now. I am getting along very well now I believe, but I have not yet felt quite rested from last term's work. It was a little too much for me, but I never shall try so much again. I am reading Virgil this term and like it ever so much, even more than I expected to. I have learned more here in a week than I did with Bliss in the whole term, but, never mind. We had such a scene in church I must relate it. The minister was preaching away at his slow, dull rate, when all at once his sermon was slapped together, and he said "judging from the appearance of the con. it had better come to an end. He showed a good deal of temper and no one knows what at. He is a strange man, sings comic songs and looks like Mr. Bundy. Is mistaken in his
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calling, I think. I can preach better than he. We have an immense quantity of snow and it is comiing all the time, it is almost as high as our heads on each side of the paths. It is so white and nice. Do you have any snow in Virginia? I am glad to hear Charley has been promoted. It is a pity he drinks. He said he would not, but I did not believe him. Charley P. is safe too. - I declare I was very glad to hear of it. I shall at last write to Levi, to morrow. I am very sorry thee is sick of thy cap, I hope thee will wear it for my share in it, and let the joy go to "[Lecesh?]. She is not as bad a girl after all, only very thoughtless. I told her thee could not possibly spare any of thy [K---?] she was sorry but seemed satisfied. I do not think she thought she was doing anything improper, have of the school girls would do the same if they had a chance, it is a strange custom they have, and which I do not intend to adopt. [Wear?] the cap and wear it out in a good cause. And don't mind anything about the maker,
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Harrison has sent his photograph to me, it is not a very good one, and I do not like the looks of it near as well as his real looks. Nancy is very well, she is getting out a lesson in the [Reader?]. I am glad thee has so good a house though it is not half good enough for thee. There is no news here of course, no excitement about anything more than a failure in "Logic" or some such. The girls are talking and I can't write very well. I shall be very anxious and thee knows how glad I shall be to hear the soonest news from thee. I trust to hear good news. God bless thee and keep thee. Misses Smith and Crampton are very well they have gone to a concert at the other village. - Farewell my dear.
Thine As Ever,
Ann Stevens.
P.S. I do not know as this will reach thee but can do no better than this address. Love to all & Farewell. -
