July 26 1903
My Dear Miss Richardson:
[1]I was very glad to get your letter a week ago today. It did me good. I was much interested, too, in the Bay View announcement – Minor, I think it was. I see there are no courses in rhetoric or composition. I wonder why? Those courses are very popular in the summer school here. I think I will talk to Mr. Ball about it. Do you think it would take? Ask your mother what she thinks about it.
I have had all sorts of petty misfortunes since I wrote last. Not the least was a carbuncle. I believe that is the name for it. I had a great time with that, and had my first experience of ether. It is really horrible; I shudder whenever I think of it. I hope death is not like that. But for the past week, all has gone well, and I have felt uncommonly like work, and have done a pretty good week’s stint of it.
I only complain of the rain. It rains every day, with the regularity of the tropical rain belt. Please let me know whether it rains all the time up north. I shall start out on my vacation in about a week, and if the weather is good I hope to in some sort of camping place up there. Should like the Superior shore. Mr. Freeman will perhaps go with me. If it is not too much trouble, please let me know what sort of weather you have
.Mr. Freedom did not get the place in Arkansas, and has not found anything to his liking up to the present. I hope he will; though I think he would do better to stay here another year, and try for his degree.
I have not seen your “lonely Carolyn”, but hope I may. I have no “principles” to keep me away, though I should no doubt feel somewhat embarrassed to call on anyone who would be surprised to see me. I hoped I might fall in with her somewhere; but haven’t seen her since I wrote you. As to Miss St John, I fear I do not know her when I see her.
Mr. Thomas is offering cigars to his friends today, and looking pleased and rather foolish. I believe that occasion is the announcement in a formal way of his engagement; which has been no secret to some of us for a long time. The fortunate lady, and I think she is fortunate, is a Miss March of Manister. You may remember seeing her with him at the May Festival.
Mr. Conyers was at my room one day last week; but unfortunately, I was not at home. I haven’t seen him for some time.
The wet weather has compelled us to abandon our camping scheme.I was much interested in your description of the birds and the flowers, and your walks. Often, I think of the morning I met you at the door of your cottage. I remember so well how it all was. By the way, there is a picture of the Howard House in the paper you sent, and I could recognize the very corner where I first saw Prof. Henry and the walk leading off toward Shier Avenue. The orchids you sent were very pretty. I can’t remember the Page wood.
Please don’t say anything about scrawls. I am sensitive.
Yours sincerely
Edward B. Charles Saturday, July 26
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbuncle