Sarah Seabrook Mitchell Wylie to Rebecca Dennis Wylie, 08 May 1890

Seabrook M. Wylie, Beaver Falls, Pa to Mrs. T. A. Wylie, Bloomington, Indiana, Care Prof Wylie

Private

Beaver Falls, Penna.

May 8^th 1890

Dear Mother,

            Tonight I am going to write to you on a little business rather important to me. I rather hesitate to write about it for fear you will think it foolish. Please bear in mind all the time my intentions are good, even if the plans seem poor or foolish. Of course I leave it all for you to decide. After two years of hard work we are not one bit better off financially. We can not seem to live here on $1200, keep up position and save to meet those debts in Bloomington. The payments are so irregular. Brown went to see the “treasurer” last night and he gave no encouragement saying the money may not be in till 1^st of Sept, yet perhaps there would be some in next week. This places us in a position to be much criticized. If the payments were prompt we would be saved this. That is our trouble now. We will not save anything for Bloomington this year. This cannot go on. Those bills must be met, especially where Father has gone security. We must meet them. I have said had I not the babes I would work. As hard as it is I would separate from them for a while, any thing to lift this load and stand even with the world anyway. I scarcely know how to tell my thoughts in the fervent words. You and Lou are the only two (save Aunt Lizzie) I would be willing to leave my babes with. If you were well I know you would help, but I fear your health and strength. I think, without doubt, I can obtain position in private boarding school (not as teacher, don’t misunderstand, but as one overseeing the domestic parts of the school). I will tell you where lies my hopes. Prof. Cluff, our best friend here, has a friend near Philadelphia (10 miles out) who has a private school for small boys. He employs women to take care of boys clothing etc, etc. It is a nice position and one that Prof Cluff says I could well fill. Prof has been with us all year and knows my ability and our circumstances. My plan would be to take Theo and place him in this school, and there do some good for him, work for our board and his tuition. Thus our living expenses would be all cut off. Prof and Brown think I could get a little more, but to gain my living and Theo’s and save our home expenses would be quite an object. This is one, and the gentleman who has charge of school spoke as if he wanted some one in this capacity. This was in a private letter to Prof C. My other hope is Mrs. Armagnac’s. They have open (or will) so largely that she may need some one. In offering, or asking, her I would write plainly circumstances and why because she is a friend and not stranger. Strangers need not know all particulars. Third, through Emma Bain I could try Bryn Mawr but this is only for young ladies and I want Theo with me. He is the hardest to manage, that is for others to manage, I do not find it so. Besides he needs the training. Prof Cluff can aid me in getting clues to other places if you tell me to try—for one winter. Brown is willing, if you and Father agree. Now the other essential, most essential, could you keep the three little ones for me, if all their sewing was done and everything fixed before they came to you. Sammie and Reba would be in school. Reba could be Mary’s charge. Laurence is three (or will be the 17 of this month) and he is an old little fellow for 3 years, yet he is full of mischief. Not bad, everyone loving him. He is called very smart. Reba can take good care of him. They have all been taught to do so. They take turns now staying upstairs with him half a day at a time and play, with nothing, you might say. You know I have no girl and I can’t have him down in my way. He loves his Mamma, clings to me more than any of the others ever did, but he is happy with “Kitty” as he calls Reba. Brown will not give up here unless he can do better and unless he is put out for “convenanter.” With a little for children clothing and perhaps a little for mine, he could save a great deal out of the $1,200, i.e. a great deal compared to the amount saved now. People here need not know but what I visiting, that housekeeping was too much for me. I need a change, I am breaking down. But that doesn’t matter if I can only hold out. I want strength to do, that is all. People at B need not know all particulars and I don’t care if they do, for all knew why we were behind. They can not think less of me if I try. I failed in one attempt, may not in this. I don’t mind any hard work. I want it respectable and I want only nice people for friends. I do not like here, but if we could do well it would not matter about that. It would be with faint heart that I try anything for I am very much discouraged, especially about what I can do. Sometimes I feel like giving up every thing. If this change came we would sell off nearly all we have. As for my dear babes, I won’t think, only as I think of what I might accomplish for them in the future. Brown knows all my plans and leaves it to your decision.

            I have hardly been out of the house this winter and I suppose “they” think I am very unsocial but I could not help it.

            Please answer and excuse all. I have hurried.

            Please burn this. [triple underlined]

Sincerely,

Seabrook

This is written badly. I hope you can read.

Theophilus Adam Wylie Family Correspondence, 1806 - 1930, (bulk 1850 - 1930), Collection 2005.003.2849, Wylie House Museum, Indiana University, Bloomington.