Woman's chronicle. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1888-1???, 1888-12-15
A Letter From Boston.
BOSTON, MASS, November 10, 1888.

l taken up my pen to write you of the things |
have seen and of the people have met. | have
not leisure to write full letters and anything less
would fail to interest. Some one has apty said
that Giving in Boston is an education in ITSELF"
We find ourselves occupying suite Of rooms that
has sheltered students for fifteen years past. The
first occupant was DR.. e. S. Lewis, we'll known
to Little Rock. Our sitting-room gives us the
southern view through a large window of sixteen
panes of glass
We are as happy as we can be away from home
and intimate friends. We are not alone, however.
Some of the Arkansas boys are here. We are to
have an Arkansas reunion Thanksgiving Day. The
"Arkansas Delegation" numbering ten persons is
to take dinner with Mr. Willard Roots. The dignity
that has come to him with attainment of his major
ity has not altered his warm heart or generous dis
position. Mamie and | are unusually fortunate in
sharing the attentions of eight true knights in this
land of ''superhuous women"
Omitting for the present, at least, most of my
experiences since our arrival allow me to tell you
of my life yesterday 1t was red letter day in
my life At 5 80 O'Clock on Saturday afternoon
l took the train for Concord. DR.. William I.
Harris, of the Concord School of Philosophy, had
sent me an invitation to spend the Sabbath with
his family. was indebted to "Auld Lang Syne''
for the honor of this invitation. DR.. Harris is so
kind as to remember me when | was struggling
with the alphabeth of the English language. At
O'Clock the carriage stopped before the 'Orchard
House, The sound of wheels caused the veneer
able door to swing on its hinges in typical southern
style. Walking up between rows of elm trees
which have stood there for more than 200 years, l
was cordially welcomed by DR.. and Mrs. Harris to
this notable house, 200 years old, where for so
many years the wise and the good have met and
counseled together.
Pardon personal reference here. Before the
death of our brother, who bore our fathers name,
was not given my double name. Friends knew
me as Ida only Hence my surprise on entering
school one day at being met with shouts of sol"
"Jo!' ''Little women had taken possession of
the school, and the unganly, untidy uneasy $50
Marsh" was present before the amused eyes of
my merry mates.
was delighted when Mrs. Harris preceded me
upstairs saying 81 am going to give you JOS
room while you are here" As | cannot describe
them, will leave you to imagine the feelings that
took possession Of me and remained with me while
l sat in that room where Miss Alcott had lived and
worked. sat at her own table, made for her
own use, and gazing at her own little cupboard,
where Mrs. Harris keeps copies of all her writings.
thought long and seriously of girls life. If it
be true, as the minister told us in his sermon the
next day. that all the conflicts in the world are
fought out in the individual life, what battlefield
this room has BEEN l was surprised at myself
that | could yield to slumber and sleep through the
longest, quietest, happiest night | have known
since leaving home
| spent the time before church on Sunday morn
ing in wandering over the house, in looking into
few of the six thousand books which compose DR..
Harris library, and in inspecting the "Iillsde
Chapel where the school of philosophy holds its
meetings Among the treasures of the "Orchard
House" is fine clock, present to DR.. Harris
from his dear friend, DR.. Bernays, the father of
Mr.. Louis c. Bernays. On our way to church we
passed the home of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Mr..
Emersons son and grandson were pointed out to