[Harriet Kendall, Rome, Dec. 15, 1869, page 1]

I must write you a few lines this morning, my dearest Hattie before I retire. or not at all!! I am so very busy. I've so much to do. My seven midterm examinations are crowded into the two days. so I have so much to do. and so many books to examine. I now intend to leave Rome Friday noon, stop in Syracuse with cousin Will till evening, then start for your transient abode . where I shall be most happy to greet my dear friend Hattie. My old (?) obstinate Adelphian soeur (ahem! just happened to think I knew some French). I must make two calls tomorrow night after school. I made four tonight I bought Mrs. Ruiney(?) a copy of "Yesterday, Today & Forever" but the

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[Harriet Kendall, Rome, Dec. 15, 1869, page 2 & 3]

binding is a little prettier than mine so I - selfish creature - just erased your writing, wrote in it "may the "Yesterday" and "Today" make up a happy "Forever" and kept the new one for myself all just as well. same color-- Well, we are all moved into the next house. I have all same things except curtains and carpet. they didn't change those this term. My room is larger but I have my bed in it. Mr. & Mrs. Mudge board . upstairs it is turned about . from being like Mrs Iron's upstairs. i.e. this house is on the other side of the road. two bedrooms . at each end of hall . and two large rooms. Mrs Mudge has front room with door into bedroom . but mine has not been cut through. But I have the middle room. Two north windows. large closet. back hall. up from kitchen where I keep wood, &tc. very handy. bolts on each door. Do you know I some expect Em. The weather is so mild. I've not heard from her in some time If I do not get a letter tomorrow I shall surely expect her wouldn't it be gay? I shall leave your place Monday as aunt's silver wedding comes on Tuesday. So I must be there

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as they put it off a week for me - Olive Logan speaks here on Monday night I am very anxious to hear her and maybe I'll come back here Monday P.M. then take a night express home. anyway to carry out all my plans. So you may expect me on Friday night. at the time you reached there, I thought I would write so that gentleman might have his room warm. I gave up making toilet mats but made two tidies for the tete-a-tete. to match yours. another like the one I was making when you were there. They are a very pretty set. She has the three together. Then I worked a large one for her sister in law like yours. (Mr.& Mrs. Mary Mitchell) quite fortunate we only use the letter [unclear word] The clock has just struck III I wouldn't dare sit up like this in the other house. I am not afraid of burglars here. Two men . and I am protected on all sides. Mr. and Mrs. Mudge on one side. Ellen just across the back hall. Mr. and Mrs M (?) just under me (expressive) Last Thursday took tea at Huntington's had a grand time . scolloped oysters chicken salad, &tc. all very nice. Their daughter just from Farmington Norm. school. Mr. H is so finely educated . so interesting . his book of autographs . letters from Washington

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[Harriet Kendall, Rome, Dec. 15, 1869, page 4]

Everett . Webster . Robert Morris . Baron Humboldt . letters of 1770 . fourteen or fifteen of the signers (his cousin was one) original manuscripts of Mozart Beethoven &tc . very interesting . I will see if you asked any questions . I might write a long letter . but I must not . We have breakfast at 7. and I must go down street before school. How did Miss H get along without Mr. Ls company up from the depot? You must save me one of your pictures. I guess I'll have a large one taken in my full graduating dress . to keep . (for my grandchildren, to show how beautiful (?) I used to be. Now! I wish I was rich! I would make everybody a christmas present. Really you related such a dire mishap very finely. Thanks for the recital and accept sympathy. though I dare say you are recovered ere this with such devotional care I heard that Reformed Catholic here a few Sundays ago. I laughed a few. Olive Logan's subject is "girls" . wish we could all hear it. I wouldn't mind riding all night. would you. What do you & miss H. - conclude about Eve and the apple? No. B & I did not lose our suppers that night. I worked very hard but finished your tidy. I offered to pay for what company I had had. But she said they paid their own way. Brother Mike visited me last week. a week ago tonight . on his way to Canada . In great haste, much love. I'll be there if nothing happens. must do up my hair and retire. good matins. ahem! 3:15 A. M.

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[written in margin of page 1]

Mrs. H gave me a beautiful set of toilet bottles the other night for "good behavior." I think they are something like your vases at home ruby with gilt & white I've been [unclear word] out nearly every night for two weeks. I must go to morrow night Dodd is teaching aren't you glad the paper told ahem! article on Class of '69 from [unclear] Em & Peet are far away too bright. But good bye till --

[Harriet Kendall, Rome, undated, page 1]

Dear Hattie
Pa has just returned from Lima, where he has been looking for a house, with the help of Mrs. Hand and Mr. Arnold. He found none that suited. Then, perhaps you or your people might know of one, consequently I have taken the liberty to ask you if you know of one that we would like. We care not to

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[Harriet Kendall, Rome, undated page 2 & 3]

rent a whole house, we would be satisfied for a time with two or three rooms. Ma wants to be with brother and I while we remain at School. There will be but four of us. If you know of any place that would be at all likely to suit, will you be kind enough to let us know, I think Pa would buy after a term if a place suited -
If you could find us a room or rooms that please let us know soon. Anyone wishing [crossed out word] to know concerning our people, you can refer them to Res. of P. Arnold
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or Mrs. Hurd. I will be satisfied with almost anything except such rooms as Mrs. Nash's, refer to those up-stairs.