Susan continues.
We have just three days more of school, closing on Wednesday noon. If I am not too tired, I think I shall go to Burlington. I wish it was convenient for you to do so, too. We shall go probably on Monday or Tuesday of next week and return on Friday. Would you be unable to be away for that length of time? I send you the arrangements, as should you be able to do, you might like to avail yourself of the excursion ticket.
We have not decided by which route, we shall go. Miss Brown wished to extend an invitation to you, also.
My cold is much better, but please do not feel that you are in the least responsible.
Should you write before Wednesday a Lynn address will reach me, after that during the week, Danversport. It would me pleasure to hear from you by return mail, that I might know if you thought it best for you to visit Vt. I feel that I should also be excused for such a hurried letter. Hoping to hear from you soon, with kind regards. I am very truly yrs.
Susan Smith
Plans remain up in the air.
Acton, Tuesday eve July 31, 1866
Dear Friend
It was with pleasure that I received yours of last evening and should have answered it by this morning's mail but have delayed till this evening hoping to be able to answer it more definitely in regard to the excursion to Burlington, but I am still undecided whether I shall be able to go. I have a great desire to accept of the invitation and know I should have a pleasant time and if I can arrange my business so that I can leave I shall endeavor to meet you somewhere on the route.
My brother is planning to be away on a business tour and unless he should be at home it will be impossible for me to leave and have things satisfactory. I never have thought I could leave for so long a time but possibly I may be able to at this season if my brother remains at home, but I do not wish to have you make any change in your plans as it is so very uncertain with me. I am much obliged for the invitations from you and Miss Brown and shall feel that I am losing a rare opportunity for a fine excursion if I am obliged to stay at home. I shall be glad to hear from you when you decide by which route you go and the train you take.
If I decide to go I shall probably meet you at Nashua if you go by that route. I trust you will not be disappointed if you do not see me as there is so much doubt about it that I would not wish to have you make any calculations on it but think of me tied at home by business engagements which I can wish were not quite so pressing at the present time. I hope you will have a pleasant time and shall think of you if I am not able to be with you. I was glad to learn that your cold was so much better.
The rain prevented my going to Billerica Saturday and so took an early start Sabbath morning and had a very pleasant ride with no one to share it with me. I returned yesterday A.M.
The funeral services were held in the Orthodox Church - the Baptist minister assisting in the exercises which were very solemn and interesting. He was a very pleasant and agreeable young man and left many friends to mourn his loss, and among them a young widow. He was not a professing Christian but from letters he wrote home he gave us reason to hope that it is well with him.
We had several heavy showers yesterday P.M. for which I have no fault to find. Last season I gave my garden up to the drought and this year we are having a happy contrast which I enjoy much and seem to get rewarded for my labors in the spring. Today it has been very pleasant without a shower for which the haymakers ought to give thanks.
Brother James and family came tonight. I have taken the liberty to enclose one of his tintypes which he had taken today. Thursday our church class has their picnic at the pond when we expect to have a nice time simply fishing, picking berries, sailing, etc. We deferred it till this week so that James could be with us. I was hoping to see you this week and perhaps I may if I do not decide to go to Burlington with you.
I fear an apology will be necessary for this hasty letter but I know you will pardon me if it does require some study as you are more at leisure than while teaching. Hoping to hear from you soon I remain with kind regards very truly your friend,
E. Fletcher
Edwin and his brother James' sea excursion sounds far more pleasant than that of poor Henry Jenkins.