[written later: Nell Johnson]
Washington Sept 7/64
My dear Mrs. Gibbons
I have just received yours
of the 4 [instante mense] from which I infer
that that you did not receive my letter
directed your husband’s
name, tho' I believe without
the middle initial, some three or four weeks ago, in that
I communicated the wants
of our Home & especially the
need of [underlined] water [/underlined] & asked you
about the ways & means of
supplying that & other needs
that the ensuing winter
would call for. Our treasury
is now after providing
for the present month, only
in funds to the amount of
about $400, which in
these times is not much
[left side]
more than a months
supply. When I wrote
you last we were happy
in the prospect of a good
matron but I am sorry
to say that our hopes are
again disappointed in Mrs
C. & we were all charmed
by her first appearance.
She expressed in words of
winning eloquence her
determination to do all
in her power to make
the home what it ought
to be, she seemed to accord
with us in the
importance of having the
two branches of Home &
school education and
training harmonious
& cooperative in all respects
& so we felt quite certain
that everything would go on
[right side]
happily & well. But soon it
appeared that idle rumors and
malignant influences had
been at work long before
& her arrival was completely
embraced with. The most are
just prejudices against
Miss M. She goes to work in
the most artistic manner
to confirm her preconceived
opinions & finally adduces
grave & serious
charges, which if they
could be sustained by credible
testimony would
banish Miss M. from the
institution as unfit to have
the charge of children at all
& would, moreover, prove
the committee of management
totally unworthy of their office.
Fortunately we know there
is no foundation in truth for
any of these wicked allegations
& therefore have nothing to
fear. Mrs. C has ventured
upon [?] high handed measures
excluding Miss M. from the
family board locking the
[?] [saving] [?] doors
&c, but I hope a committee
of investigation now at work will set all
matters right & that justice
will be done to all. I have
[gone?] see [am?] high hopes and
again blasted & we must
try again. Mrs. Dana
called here to day with her
children, all well, she is
very indignant at the manner
in which Miss M. has been
treated & well, of course, [?]
her as we all shall until
she is proved unworthy of
own regard. I thank you
for the money given by
J.T. Bellarshall. I wish to
acknowledge it to him, or
to her, whichever it may be
but not knowing how to address
it I enclose it for you to communicate.
[?] are best regards
[sideways along left margin]
for you all and Mrs. Emerson & Miss Lay and [?] we
ever yours N. M. Johnson
