October 1895

Tuesday, 8 October 1895

I should try to write here more. I think writing really did help me feel better earlier this year. It’s easier to write when you’re angry than when you’re sad though.

I hope Sister Grace doesn’t mind that I asked so many questions in my letter. Maybe I’ll have more to tell her and less to ask next time. I hope I can find Jane Eyre so I can write about that at least. Sister Grace was lucky to be able to have her adventure to New Orleans. I wish I could travel somewhere. It sounds like she had a lot of fun.

September 17th, 1895

Washington, Mississippi

My dear Friend,

There is no need to apologize, but you must promise not to let anything stop you from writing to me. While I would never wish for you to have sorrows, I would rather read them than nothing at all. After all, if you tell me your sorrows, I may be able to help relieve you of them. I am quite happy that Beth was able to be your friend and assist when I could not. Mr. Fenris must be proud to have such a loving wife.

Are you still writing in your diary? I often find that just writing down my problems can lead to thinking of my own solutions. Young Thomas has so far resisted my attempts to start keeping a diary. He is quite smart, especially with arithmetic, but struggles with spelling. I think that is why he doesn’t want to write more.

Your talk of Jules Verne reminds me that I have not yet told you about my time in New Orleans. I quite enjoyed my time in the city. The second bookstore I found had several Jules Verne novels, including both Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Journey to the Center of the Earth. I must agree with you, his stories really are quite enjoyable. The owner of the store was quite friendly. He suggested a few other books that I purchased as well. I have yet to read most of them, but if you find a copy of Jane Eyre you should give it a read. The narrator of the story reminds me of you in some ways.

I spent a good amount of time just exploring the city, listening to music, and trying new food. Buddy Bolden’s music was particularly enjoyable to me, but I don’t know if you would have liked it. His music is quite a bit different from what you’d hear in Scotland. I’m sure you would have loved the food though. You would enjoy the beignets at least for sure. If I could eat nothing but beignets, I think I would be quite happy. It would make me happy if I could one day share the experience with you.

Your affectionate Friend,

Grace Collins

Wednesday, 9 October 1895

Ryn was hurt today. A hammer fell on his foot and now he can hardly walk. The doctor says he should be better in a few days. I hope he's right. I don't want Ryn to lose another job. We do not have enough time left at Saint Nicholas for him to start training for something new.

Monday, 14 October 1895

Ryn is still limping. His boss says he can't have a worker who can't walk right. He is getting better and it wasn't his fault. Why can't he give Ryn more time to recover? It's not fair.

Even Sister Mary Maxwell knows it isn’t fair. She says we can stay another year, until the summer after next, so Ryn has time to recover and find a new job so we can afford to survive on our own. I wish she was always that nice.

The doctor says it might be a few weeks before he gets better, and that he shouldn’t walk on it at all. It won’t be easy to get up and down the stairs without stepping on his right foot. I wish I was stronger so it was easier for me to help him get around.

Sunday, 20 October 1895

Ryn being hurt made me almost forget about looking for Jane Eyre. I searched the library almost all day but couldn’t find a copy. I found a novel called The History of Pendennis which looks interesting. I didn’t find it until quite late, so I am going to wait until tomorrow to start reading it.

Wednesday, 23 October 1895

The History of Pendennis was not that interesting. I read some Monday, and a little more yesterday, and I don’t like stopping before I finish, but I just can’t read anymore. I’m sorry Mr. Thackeray, but I just don’t enjoy your writing.

There are still many books in the library I have not yet read, so there is still hope I might find something interesting to read and write to Sister Grace about before her next letter arrives.