Cha^s

            Mar 29/61

 

Yale Mch 29^th 1861

 

Dear Father

                        Your letter has lain unanswered too long but I have answered no letter since yours was received, which shows that you are not willfully neglected. But, though I have a plenty to offer, I will not fill up my letter with excuses. Sallie's note was received this morn. I was astonished to learn that I had not written since Mother passed through and bro't me the goodies. I must return to the good sister who concocted the idea and the provision, my most hearty thanks. If Lam Huntington, Geo. Deury, Will Dunning & Cortelyon were here they would I am sure join with me in complimenting the veal-cheese (?) & cookies, and thanking the maker. I had been thinking, before Sallie wrote, how sad a time you / are having in Norwich. The Bulletin keeps me well posted, and I have heard of all the deaths, fires & imprisonment. When I bade Hattie Bishop good-bye last vacation, I expected to see her again—so unseen is the hand of death. Yet her friends cannot mourn, for she is safe, no sickness & pain trouble her, no temptations try. Let those who come to mourn, consider the death of a man whose whole life-time has been devoted to pleasure & the acquirement of gain, who blasphemed God & disregarded his law & his love. There is cause for true sorrow, and his poor wife must suffer exceedingly. However "Nil mortius"—As to the young criminals: I don't think I understand their case exactly. Joe Lanman is my informant. He says Hallam & Whaley were arrested on suspicion, and afterwards confessed their guilt, but later still withdrew their confession and charged the matter on to Otis Huntington. If this is so, I should think the authorities would arrest Otis. Joe also informs me that Gilbert Tufts has shown himself out / again. For a while he did very well in a match factory in Westville, and gained the respect of the community. But he took it into his noble head to elope with a girl of the place. He went to his father's home, whither the bride's father dispatched an order for the return of the young truant. Tufts advised the couple to leave, and my information is wanting from this point. Norwich seems peculiarly unfortunate in her boys. If anything New Haven is sadder than Norwich. Two weeks ago the Pres. lost a boy three years old—Prof Whitney also lost a boy of about the same age. Last Saturday night Miss Laura Woolsey, aged 18, the Pres' oldest daughter died of the typhoid fever, with which the Pres himself was sick at the time, and has been ever since. Yesterday Prof Gibbs was buried. This ends the list for less than a month. It is to be hoped the Pres. will recover speedily, and that no more calamities may visit the college & city. Coz. William preached / our Fast Day Sermon this morning, and looked quite well. His subject was the Atonement adapted to Sin—Sallie doesn't say anything about Mother. I take it, she is still in New York. I should be glad to hear of or from her, but have not time to write. The term closes in a little more than a week. Before that time, I have to cram for examination & be examined & write a Prize Composition—Subject "The Samson Agonistes of Milton, and the Prometheus of Aeschylus Compared" I cannot divine why this time is chosen for the writing of prize compositions, but it is and I submit. I am about ashore on money, having spent half my prize money for a supper. I suppose according to the custom I should have spent more, but I had other use for the cash. I shall need $5.00—which will square this term. Love to all at the house—Hoping pleasanter times are in store for you all, and with the promise to be more regular hereafter, I remain

 

 Your aff son

Charles J. Arms

 

P.S. I would like to invite                                         

Chamberlain of my class to spend                                          

a few days with me at the beginning of

                                                vacation. Can I?

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