Calderwood, December 1894
Dear Nell, I have had three of my largest girls standing up for giggling inappropriately, that most abominable habit, and I have given them a regular blowing up. I always get myself in such a state when I discipline my students. I shake like a leaf and I cannot bear it. I must walk around until I settle down again. I seldom need to say anything, perhaps once in two months. Pa always told me that my temper would undo me. He was right.
I bought a two piece bedroom set for my new room here, Ma said it was a good price at $2.75. She is going to paint the floor of my room and I will paint the walls and window trim. It will look quite fresh and I have my own dear little stove to keep the room warm when the bitter cold comes.
I am having doubts about the teaching and wonder if I would be better as a hired girl, do you think they get good wages? Pa says I am too sassy to be a hired girl and my back bothers me so much so the heavy lifting would not be possible for me.
The school is terribly cold this winter. We all feel the cold a great deal and my rheumatism is bad when it is cold no matter how warmly I dress. The students wear their coats and mufflers and gloves on their hands to write. We do have about fifteen cords of good dry maple wood so that I can make a good fire in the stove when I arrive in the morning and we keep it burning all day. I hope it will last till spring. Yesterday I was well, today barely able to speak with my back and legs so painful.
I had to let the students go at noon even with the fire we were all so cold. The wind is fierce and it blows through all the cracks in the walls. I could not walk home so one of my students got her Pa to come with a sleigh to take me to my boarding house. Even with blankets and hot stones at my feet in the sleigh I was in pain. It hurts me to move my arms.
I speak too much of myself. How is your family? I had such a happy time in Sudbury with all of you. I long for your news but I know with your medical practice and your family you will be so very busy. Please write.
I think very kindly of you always
Jennie
Dear Nell, I have had three of my largest girls standing up for giggling inappropriately, that most abominable habit, and I have given them a regular blowing up. I always get myself in such a state when I discipline my students. I shake like a leaf and I cannot bear it. I must walk around until I settle down again. I seldom need to say anything, perhaps once in two months. Pa always told me that my temper would undo me. He was right.
I bought a two piece bedroom set for my new room here, Ma said it was a good price at $2.75. She is going to paint the floor of my room and I will paint the walls and window trim. It will look quite fresh and I have my own dear little stove to keep the room warm when the bitter cold comes.
I am having doubts about the teaching and wonder if I would be better as a hired girl, do you think they get good wages? Pa says I am too sassy to be a hired girl and my back bothers me so much so the heavy lifting would not be possible for me.
The school is terribly cold this winter. We all feel the cold a great deal and my rheumatism is bad when it is cold no matter how warmly I dress. The students wear their coats and mufflers and gloves on their hands to write. We do have about fifteen cords of good dry maple wood so that I can make a good fire in the stove when I arrive in the morning and we keep it burning all day. I hope it will last till spring. Yesterday I was well, today barely able to speak with my back and legs so painful.
I had to let the students go at noon even with the fire we were all so cold. The wind is fierce and it blows through all the cracks in the walls. I could not walk home so one of my students got her Pa to come with a sleigh to take me to my boarding house. Even with blankets and hot stones at my feet in the sleigh I was in pain. It hurts me to move my arms.
I speak too much of myself. How is your family? I had such a happy time in Sudbury with all of you. I long for your news but I know with your medical practice and your family you will be so very busy. Please write.
I think very kindly of you always
Jennie
RSS Feed
