Lizzie S. Byers to Louisa Wylie Boisen, 04 August 1875
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Lizzie S. Byers, Terre Haute, Indiana to Louisa Boisen (no envelope)
Terre Haute
August 4, 1875 [Wednesday]
My Dear Friend,
I would have written to you sooner, but if I had my letter would have been as full of tears as my eyes were. I cannot tell you in formal words how I sympathize with you. I too have gone down to Death’s door in that awful agony and know how useless words are in describing it. But we will thank God that it is past, and I hope nothing has interfered with your recovery.
What a season of rains we are or rather have been having. I suppose you are shut in like everybody else. Here on this sandy bluff we have not felt the disagreeableness of a flood at all. As soon as the showers ceased the water ran off and left the streets white and clean, and free from dust most certainly. I never saw
Main Streetlook as pretty as it did last Sabbath. But at that very time the river was three miles wide, boiling and surging against the bridge at the foot ofMain Streetand the Railroad bridges were closely watched, men being stationed above to catch and anchor wrecks that were known to be coming down the river. Trees, bundles of wheat, and stalks of green corn were floating by.On Monday no trains left the yards, no mails came in yesterday except a few bags that were carried on hand cars, where possible, “toted” around the broken bridges and over the washed out places. Railroad men say it will be two months before trains can run on certain roads. The damage done to farmers around T. H. cannot be estimated yet, the fields being covered with water.
You will not want to keep house next year will you? As things are now it would seem better for you to board; don’t you think so? We have concluded to board again. Mr. Byers is away from home more than when he taught and I could not do all that I would be obliged to do even if I had an excellent girl.
We will take two rooms and furnish them and take day board only at Mrs. Keller’s. The rooms we think of taking are on the south west corner of Mulberry and Sixth. Both good sized, pleasant upstairs rooms. Mrs. Keller would like very much to have you board there. I fear you are not strong enough to go out to your meals. If you were, I think you would find it a very pleasant way. And then if you want to go away for a week, you do not go on paying board all the same, as you are obliged to do when you occupy a room in a boarding house.
I suppose Professor will come up before long and settle everything. I hope we can be very near each other.
Pardon the scratches, my dear. I wish I could sit down by you this afternoon and say it all; then there would be no need of scratches. It is just the day for chat; for sitting with friends who don’t mind if you fall away in long lapses of silence; friends between whom the silence is as eloquent as words. The air is cool, with just enough breeze to make a faint rustling among the leaves; and the persistent twitter of a canary next door takes the place of the wood songsters and makes it as good as being in the country. But there is also a sewing machine next door and it buzzes away constantly with a sound that shapes itself into “Finish your work, finish your work!” At least my conscience gives it that interpretation.
I do not know how soon this can reach you; at any rate I hope it will find you well enough to answer soon.
Give my regards to the Prof and remember me to your mother.
Yours truly
Lizzie S. Byers
Source
Theophilus Adam Wylie Family Correspondence, 1806 - 1930, (bulk 1850 - 1930), Collection 2005.003.2849, Wylie House Museum, Indiana University, Bloomington.
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