New Haven, Feb 6^th '62

 

Dear Mother,

                        Sallie's letter came duly to hand. In it she says you would like to hear from me. Although I needed no such reminder, and should have written sooner, I hurry up a little. The prevailing topic of conversation just now is the death of Prof. Larned. Take it all in all, it is the saddest i have heard of for a long time. Monday afternoon about two o'clock he started out on his customary walk. He went out Tutor's Lane, just behind Mr. Sheffield's house, and then started up the Railroad. He had hardly gone two rods, when he fell in a / fit of apoplexy. The snow beginning to fall soon, almost entirely covered him up, as he lay on the ground nearly two hours. At the end of that time some men passing in a sleigh discovered him, and supposing him to be dead-drunk carried him to the police station. The police, although they knew him supposed him to be intoxicated, and after keeping him three quarters of an hour, sent word to Mrs. Larned that her husband was lying drunk in the station, and she had better have him removed. He lived till he was just inside his house, where he died about 6 o'clock. Five Professors have died in three years. (I think Prof. Taylor died within that time—Father will know.) The funeral is to be this afternoon in the Center Church. The students attend in a body.

 

            I have called on Mrs. / Oaks once or twice lately. They are all well as usual. She says Sallie must come & make them a visit. The younger Mrs. O. says she took quite a fancy to the General, and joins in the invitation. She had best come next term, Presentation week—then comes Junior Exhibition, Wooden Spoon, and Pow Wow. The Wooden Spoon is carried on by the Junior Class, by a committee of nine, rather, chosen from the class. I had an election, but resigned on account of the expense.

 

            As for the weather—it snows every afternoon—that is all there is to be said on that subject There is beautiful sleighing here and has been for two weeks.

 

            I was very glad to hear that George was well, & also his family. It seems Beauregard has gone up to Kentucky to help him / I hope they will both be defeated and the former saved. I suppose you have not heard from Frank yet. He promised to write me when he arrived. The transports are very irregular. Sam Huntington says a box was a month getting to his brother, who is at P. Royal.

 

It is time to go to the funeral, and I must close. I wish you would ask Father, unless his salary has been reduced, to send me $5.00 to pay my Junior Society tax. It has been due some time, and with much love to you, him, Sallie, Theo, & all, I remain

 

Your aff son,

Charlie

 

P.S. I have not taken up smoking!

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