A new term at school must call for commitments and some decision needs to be made soon. They have managed to get together on Thursday in Boston. Edwin writes to her the following day. He follows her lead with the salutation, "Dear" Friend!
Acton Friday Evening Aug. 31, 1866
My dear Friend.
It is a pleasure to write and as you say it is a pleasure to you to receive letters you will excuse me for writing before the promised time.
It is needless for me to say that I enjoyed the day very much yesterday and was glad that circumstances were such that I could meet you - though I suppose it is not right to rejoice at other's disappointments, but as all things are ordered for the best I happened to be the fortunate one this time. I was just in season to get on board after the trains had started, though I had time to buy a paper and a ticket.
I was fortunate enough to get a ride home from S. Acton and just as I arrived my brother was getting his load together to go to the sing and I told him if he would wait till I could get a lunch I would go with them. So after taking tea very hastily at his house I jumped aboard and went. We had a nice sing and waited till the moon was up before we came home. Before starting the choir went out in front of the house and sang "Home, Sweet Home" which is my favorite song, and I think was well sung on that occasion. The readings in the town hall were very good but as I was engaged in another place was not able to attend.
I trust you had a pleasant journey home and that a good night's rest made you as good as new and none the worse for the severe ordeal through which you passed while in Boston. I am feeling quite interested to see what kind of impressions were left at Black's by some people who made a longer stop there than I did. I have called at my brother' s and sister's this evening and after returning home, perhaps while you are enjoying a nice sleep - could not resist the temptation to finish up the evening by writing to you but I must now bid you good night. Hoping to hear from you very soon I remain very aff. yours etc.
Edwin
His Friday night letter, most likely mailed the next morning, arrived the same day in Danversport. Susan responds immediately.
Danversport Sept l, 1866 Saturday eve.
My dear Friend.
You were very kind to remember that I enjoyed a letter and also the more when it comes unexpectedly. I was happy to receive yours this evening & if it is late will reply tonight as I know you will be anxious to know the result of our visit to Black's. I was glad to learn you were so successful in reaching home and were not too much fatigued to be out in the evening. After you left us in Boston, Mary proposed that we should go to the Fitchburg station and see if you were in the cars; accordingly we walked through the entire depot and looked in various trains but seeing nothing of you concluded you were on your way home.
I am glad if you passed the day pleasantly, I was afraid it was taxing you too much going for our accommodation to so many places. We enjoyed it much & have had some laughs over our mania for pictures at "Southworth's Gallery." The day certainly was a fine one, I believe you always bring pleasant weather when you come this way. This evening the pictures arrived. I do not know as I can remember how many. A large one of Charlie, & a package of cards, a dozen of cards of Charles, two large of Mary and cards, three large of myself and proof cards. One of the large ones is very finely finished on porcelain. All, we call very excellent. Then we find four of yours, just as perfect, it seems to us, as pictures can be. I suppose they are proofs; there are two of each kind & I will forward two in this letter with one of each of the different positions of mine.
If convenient for you I would like to have mine returned by Tuesday's mail, as I think I shall take them to Boston for the others next week. Shall I retain the other two of you till I see you? I would like to ask another favor of you if I am not imposing on your kindness, & it is that you will gratify a few friends of mine by giving them one of the photographs which you may have finished.
Your brother called this evening & while showing him ours I took the liberty to show him yours. He called them very excellent.
Vacation is over, and Monday morning providence permitting, I shall have to rally my drowsy powers for active work in the schoolroom. And, Mr. Fletcher, I cannot think how it would seem, not to have such work to do. This certainly gives us a strong indication she enjoys her profession! Is she drawing a line in the sand, telling him she will insist on continuing teaching, if he finally proposes? We're not privy to their private conversations but the topic is sure to come up. This is another instance of other times, other traditions. Married women seldom worked. She continues.
Tomorrow, thirty persons are to unite with the Maple St. Church, I hope the day will be pleasant.
I would write more but shall soon be encroaching on the Sabbath and must not keep such late hours when all in the house are sleeping. I can appreciate your admiration of "Home, Sweet home," I like it very much, but I seldom hear it when it does not strike a tender chord which will vibrate through memory' s halls and start a tear.
With much esteem and hoping to hear from you soon, I am aff. Yrs,
Susan S.
P.S. Mary sends love and says she is ready to go to the city any day next week when you would like to go for tintypes, and thinks it might be well to have some hour engaged at Southworth's. She also says she wishes you had been here at the opening of the pictures last eve - she is quite anxious you should see the larger size -
Yours, S.S.
Do you not think the smaller one of yours the best? Please write which of mine you consider the best picture.
Once again, another letter is written before receiving a response. In it we learn more of Susan's strong religious convictions, not uncommon in those long ago times.
Sept. 2, 1866 Sabbath evening.
Dear Friend.
I do not usually write letters on the. Sabbath but this hour is so clear and pleasant, and the sunset so beautiful that I have thought it may not be wrong to spend it in saying such things as are not inappropriate to this day. It has been very warm and seems as if summer was just coming to us & not taking her leave of us. I am always sorry for her departure for she carries with her so much I love and admire yet the autumn is enjoyed in its season & its cool winds & chilly days make home & the fireside more prized. And it always reminds me so much of those hours at my own home with my own dear mother; hours which I would live over again were it in my power to recall the past. But this life is forever on, and I think is always teaching us to improve each gift as God bestows it upon us.
I attended church at the plains and saw thirty persons, young and middle aged publicly consecrate themselves to Christ. Among them were Mrs. Fellows, Landley & Butler. Near by sat their husbands. Could they remain unmoved by such an effort? There is something always so unpleasant to me in the thought that in one household, those who are its head & share mutually life's joys & sorrows should have no sympathy, no union of feeling on this most important interest.
The exercises were very interesting in themselves & Mr. Carruthers said very little. I never see any communion season in that church, which does not carry me back to those times when your brother broke to us the bread of life & presented to his flock the symbols of spiritual life; and it never will seem as pleasant as then. I perhaps ought not to form such strong attachments to much in this changing world, but I cannot help it.
I hope it will not be so warm tomorrow, for we need considerable nervous energy to which I find the heat is not very favorable. Hoping I have not wearied your patience & if I have, trusting you will pay me in your own coin I will bid you "good night".
Aff. yrs.
S.S.
The Old Lynn High School was built in 1850 and served as an educational facility for 124 years. The structure was somewhat smaller in Susan's time. The rear half was added sometime later. The second floor remains the same, with two teaching rooms on either side of a central hallway. How long Susan will continue to teach is yet to be determined.