Worcester Nov^r 8.^th 1861.

My dear Friend,

Wishing to keep you posted in regard to our affairs, I wrote you within a few days after receiving yours, and some 10 days after was looking for a return from you, when you may guess my chagrin at find-ing my letter had never even reached the post office, by some oversight GertieSherman, Martha Greene "Gertie"

Daughter of Martha Waldo Brown Greene and William Arnold Greene (Finding Aid, Martha Waldo Greene and Frederick Sherman Collection of Frederick Douglass papers, Brown University). She married William F. Sherman in 1872. , had neglected to mail it—Never mind it—only that by this time you are probably away from home, and will not receive this, till you return there. I should have guessed what was your surprise, had you not been more than half as much delighted over it—I had written to Mary & James some wk. before suggesting to them to go see you, but I had no idea it would give you so much pleasure

as it did — How much I should like to surprise you in like manner some of these days! I can't help wishing the good powers above, could find its interests subserved by casting our Homes nearer each other. I am sure I should like some things in a Western life, and should find the absence of much in New England, more than compensated, by having you for a neighbor—But we do not know what is best for us—You did not refer to my summing up of the cons, in relation to the school at Syracuse or Rochester. did you think there were more cons than pros? I was going to send you in the letter which did not go, a copy of W^m's letter to Mr. Metcalf as you may not get this very soon, I think I will not send it now—I wish you to see that as you can judge better of the true status of the case. 3 wks after leaving that Mr. M advertised in Boston Journal for a Teacher in Elocution &c—8 days after he came to W^m to ask if he intended his letter? the [illegible] word he had given to the subject—of course W^m told him did—he (M.) considered his engagement was for a year, & this was not sufficient ground for breaking it. no body of men would sustain him. a few reformers & men who think they are better than others might &c. He was never known before to parley with a teacher to keep him, his policy has always been the independent kind "go if you want to. I can get plenty more"—The people down town talk of an indignation meeting, but I doubt if any thing comes of it—The Lyceum course of lectures opens here next Monday [illegible] by Clara Barton. I saw one of the com. last Sat & asked why they did not call you, he said you were going the other way at the time they wanted you—I can not understand it. if you are to be here in Dec—They pay all their lecturers this year $150. You will write when we shall see you—We are trying as yet in vain for a house or part of one down town. there are some to sell, but none

as we find yet to rent—We have had some thought to move to Hyde Park—[Fairmount?]—We have some land offered us very cheap there, & a house to live in till we can build a better—Fairmount is 8 or 10 miles from Boston. The Providence & Boston, [Hartford?] & [illegible] & Dedham branch R. Roads all stop there making it very accessible—The demand for Teachers of Elocution in Boston is greater than the supply—But having already a little foothold here, & [our?] GertieSherman, Martha Greene "Gertie"

Daughter of Martha Waldo Brown Greene and William Arnold Greene (Finding Aid, Martha Waldo Greene and Frederick Sherman Collection of Frederick Douglass papers, Brown University). She married William F. Sherman in 1872. has another year at the High school here, we prefer to stay & [illegible] gradually [illegible] his way before Boston people—He is again thinking of readings & lectures—We are still hopeful—Yes my dear Friend I never felt surer of the future opening bright to us than now—

I do not forget the trouble threatening your throat—I hope your rest & quiet at home has restored it. Please be sure and report of it when you write again.

I need not say we shall rely on a visit from you wherever or however we are—If we have a place for ourselves we have one for you and shall be here till Dec 25—

We are all very well—

truly always

Martha W. Greene