Letter: Harriett S. Long to James Hallowell, February 17, 1864

Excuse the many blunders for it is so cold my brains at nearly at the freezing point. hear I am affectionately yr. friend

2001.0013.0009a Harriett S Long. 306 N. Eutaw St. Baltimore

Lizzie Long. says she will write Feb. 17 1864 to Sen. Grimes to see if he is doing anything. I [have?] not.

Dear Mr. Hallowell,

"Hope deferred maketh the heart sick," so sayt the Bible or Shakspeare I don't know which, but it is a truism beyond all doubt; here have I been hoping against hope that I should hear something favorable from you, when to-day I received a letter from Senator Hicks, dated Jany 30 - which I sought to have had before I went to Georgetown; telling me that Miss Indan's vacancy was promised to a lady from Maryland, whose name he did not know. who is the fortunate individual? for I presume she has taken her place ere this; Do you see we were working like moles, in the dark. I understood before I left Washington that they were making appropriations to enlarge the feminine force in the Treasury and War Departments in the coming Spring, so I will not despair of doing something yet; can you bring any influence to bear in either of these quarters, or in the

Quarters Master's Dept? I fear you will think one a sad bore, but "necessity knows no law," as you have doubtless discovered before to-day. My Father, used to tell a story of a Frenchman who failing to obtain a situation under Government, said he would have one grande revenge, he would set up a barber's shop, in sight of the President's House! I have an idea of a revenge also, and that would be to open a school in Washington next Fall, as I have heard from many sources there is a capital opening. Turn it over in your mind and tell me what you think of it: I would rather get a writership were that possible; but something I must do, as to going on wearing out my brains on other people's houses, for the petty sums of $150 and $250 per-annum & giving away $100 of that, it is too slow a way to make a fortune for me.

I must make a beginning some day if I ever hope to have a roof over my head and why not now? I thought of taking 2 rooms, a school-room and chamber and feel certain could I gather a nucleus of 25 pupils, I should succeed, for I feel I am competent and I always go heart and soul into what I undertake: but there is abundant time to consider this matter before next Sept. should I be spared that long.

Give much love to all at home; tell Mr. Stabler I am truly grateful to him for his efforts in my behalf and to you also I owe a debt of gratitude which I cannot easily repay. It is cold as Nova Zembla, and the wind howling like a wild beast, [but?] I am in cold and

Jas. S. Hallowell Post Office Department Washington D.C.