George Henry French 1857 (1845-1867)

Andover Nov 23^rd 1843

Friend H,

I on Sunday last went home with Charles and spent the night with him in his comfortable little house. He with his wife "as he calls her" wished me to send you an invitation to come and Dine with them on Thanksgiving day. I said to you had better send a letter yourself. I can't I don't like to write letters I'll make my wife write.

I suppose that you are aware that that case respect ^ing of E. Foster has had one trial. but as Foster began wrong the Judge threw all the ^cost upon him. Fosters Lawyers did not like that move, and proposed to have it left open for consideration which he did. Dea Dascomb said the cost would not be far from $100.

I should like to have you come and stay with me at least one night at Widera Osgoods If you can come up Wednesday and spend the night with me I may not have a chance to send this before Saturday

Yours H. W. French

Paid

Mr George H French Care of P.R. Southwick Boston MA

Hiram W. French Nov 23^rd 1843

Andover March 4/45

My dear Brother,

I come with a full heart to write you for I have recently had two real fine letters. One dated Feb 9 the other Jan 28. The one of Feb came first. viz March 1. The other came to-night. How I wish letters might be conveyed to you with the rapidity of electricity, for it troubles me to think my letters do not reach you sooner. I wrote one the 1^st Jan, and sent it with one from Frances, but it seems you had not recieved it when you wrote. I also sent one by mail of the 6 of Feb. Directed it to St Louis. I hope those are now in your possession As this. But as I have explanified I will go on with items. I am now sitting alone in my room, without fire, fore the obstinate spirit has it under its controle It is however quite warm. We have had some fine sleighing but it has fled and the naked fields, and murmering brook would indicate the return of Spring. Can it be? Has the long winter I looked forward to when you left me indeed fled? Oh Time how swiftly rools thy wheels. Dear H. I now begin to count the days, as I have the months when I shall meet you. I hope you will come as soon as possible. I know you will. I wish you were to be here next, for school closed then, and I should like much to have you to the examination, not however that I might display my ignorance. Perhaps you would like to know how I succeed in my studies. Have finished Arithmetic, am now reviewing also in Algebra have been more than 2/3 through, have finished Astronomy. As to my Drawing &c I will not mention. I am chosen to read a select piece at the close But that aint much. Mary Gould and I may read together. I was much pleased to-day. One of Judge Cornings daughters came to saying she had heard my little sister was a fine scholear, wrote good compositions. She has got her name up on the File

I was thinking today how her influence has even now begun to be felt. She is truly a promising little sister. I hope she can attend school here next summer as Miss Hamblen her former teacher is to be an assistant in the school, and she would know how to put her forward. She told me that she wanted to write you, but I advised her to wait till after her school closes which will be next week.

There is to be a Fare here next week also a Levee to be held in the academy hall. They have commenced repairs in the Academy which will better it much. I shall almost wish to return, but my course of doings I trust will be in a different line viz. to teach the tender branches how to shoot. Noble plan indeed. I look forward with no small degree of pleasure to the time when I shall recieeve the grand title of "school marm" from a whole line of little bear-footed urchins. I shall use my power to obtain a school of some shape, for I often look back with regret upon the misspent hours of last Summer. I think of visiting Boston soon as Mary Jane is very feeble They have given up hopes of her recovery. Mrs K is also quite feeble. Poor MJ it seems very hard for one so young to die. I think I mentioned in my last that Fanny Johnson was very sick. But she is now free from all trouble It is a week from to day since she was buried.

The chapel was crowded for all the school were dismissed. It was very solemn and an affecting sight to look upon the beautiful corpse. She had a very tapering fingers as you may remember. Her hands were folded clasping a rose bud fit emblem of herself The school followed her to the grave. When they were lowering the coffin they sung. "Unveil thy bosom faithful tomb". The day previous to her death I went to see her. She called me by name tried to talk but could not. She kissed me and bid me farewell. She often spoke how happy she should be when she got home, and would ask them not to weep with so much emphasis that it seemed wrong to weep. She retained her ardent love for music till the last, and would ask them to sing. Ann M. Foster (her cousin) played to her a short time before her death. Sister thou wert mild and lovely "also I would not live always". I never more fully uttered ^ the sentiment of those words "Proud had ye in my life. It seemed as if I could meet death with as much composeure as she did I could willingly bid adieu to this life. It was indeed a lovely sight to see her smile at death as she did, when she told her mother "I am dying" but I will say no more to night, and my pen has not done justice to the subject last Spoke of

good Night

March 5 - I have just satisfied the craving of nature in eating a very hearty dinner. By the way we live first rate here. I will now go on with items. Uncle Hirams school was examined It is thought this school will stand No 1. in the report. His writing books were so neatly written that Mr Jackson wanted them to exhibit at other schools. Quite encourageing to him. He told me that he had written you a long time ago. I presume you have it now you ask me how the girls do here. How shall I answer you. I presume they would all do well should you send them a paper. I was greatly amused one evening to the society for RB came to me with so much animation saying she had a paper from St Louis. Youll have to be very careful on all the girls here, and in Boston will rise up to see which shall gain the prize. The ladies in Boston are dreaming of you so I heard by way of Ms K one of the Miss K opposite Mrs K. So don't mention the thought that you are forgotton by friends here. Joseph wrote me a friendly line last week and as he went to put it into the office took one out for him. After he read it he wrote some more in his closing with the same stiff words which I used. I wrote to enquire of him if his father has read the report that has here circulated. It was false. The reason of my writing him in so formal a way was that I felt under some restraint, for the thought often came into my mind AB would not write my brother. If ever I write him again it may go to the other extreme. AB is in Cabottvill. I think you ought to send her a paper if nothing else Will you? I cant bear to think our "quartette" should be broken by any hard feelings. I want you to be true friends if nothing more. I trust your wish respecting Joseph may soon be realized not only toward him but may A too share the influences. It seemed to me that last Spring Joseph appeared differently I trust you will enjoy much in meeting once more for I heard that when you bid him "good bye" a tear was seen tumbling down your cheek. He says he can plainly see you have a longing to return to old Boston once more, and I fancy he would like to see you as well as all Thas. I feel some anxiety in regard to your throat, Do take good care and may it soon be well But Henry do not think I ever am forgetful of you, far from it. I still wish I could have H here for I am sometimes fearful you may feel lonely. Drive away dul thoughts if possible. but forget not the seek even fort hope the go first that to ever open. and when there remember (?) that I may be a better sister a better christian. How much the heart my pour itself for prayer. when nought else will satisfy But I must draw this to a close. Wish I had more interest in it but I can think of nothing more of consequence. Write me soon. A paper is very acceptable for it lets me know where you are and if need a tells. May your health be preserved and soon may we meet to enjoy still more than ever. From your Apt" Sister N. S. French