Monday eve, May 15th [1882] My dear father, I think I should feel very much conscience-smitten about not writing, if it was not that we felt so sure that you were coming home and would not get our letters. I think it must be so dreary for you way off there. I feel so sorry to think we can not see you for so long. I you go away this summer, you will be away from us so much. That was a very nice and satisfactory letter which Horace [her brother] wrote about cousin Margaret. I shall feel no feeling but that of joy in having her come here. I think it will be better in many ways. Willie & Mattie [her brother and his wife] & I went to Portland last Saturday and stayed over Sunday. We went with Vernus and the buggy. We had quite a pleasant time, but I taught this afternoon and that with my ride this morning, makes me feel pretty tired, so perhaps you won't mind if I only write a small letter this time. I wish very much that we could see you. I had no idea that you would be gone so long when you went away. My school work [at the Indian Training School] goes on nicely, and I seem to hold out quite well. The arms have come for the P.U. and T.A. [Pacific University and Tualatin Academy] cadets at last after so long a time, and Capt. W. [Wilkinson] is doubling up on the drill. It will keep all the boys busy until after Com.- to get drilled enough to make a proper show. We have been having very cold, unpleasant weather all the time of late. I am afraid at this rate nothing will ever get ripe. You must not worry about the garden. I guess we can manage to have it fixed some way. If W. does not have time we can hire somebody else. Dear precious Papa, I should like to have a chance to kiss you good night. Your own loving Mary L.

Monday eve, May 15th [1882]

My dear father,

I think I should feel very much conscience-smitten about not writing, if it was not that we felt so sure that you were coming home and would not get our letters. I think it must be so dreary for you way off there.

I feel so sorry to think we can not see you for so long. I you go away this summer, you will be away from us so much. That was a very nice and satisfactory letter which Horace [her brother] wrote about cousin Margaret. I shall feel no feeling but that of joy in having her come here.

I think it will be better in many ways. Willie & Mattie [her brother and his wife] & I went to Portland last Saturday and stayed over Sunday. We went with Vernus and the buggy. We had quite a pleasant time, but I taught this afternoon and that with my ride this morning, makes me feel pretty tired, so perhaps you won't mind if I only write a small letter this time. I wish very much that we could see you. I had no idea that you would be gone so long when you went away.

My school work [at the Indian Training School] goes on nicely, and I seem to hold out quite well. The arms have come for the P.U. and T.A. [Pacific University and Tualatin Academy] cadets at last after so long a time, and Capt. W. [Wilkinson] is doubling up on the drill. It will keep all the boys busy until after Com.- to get drilled enough to make a proper show.

We have been having very cold, unpleasant weather all the time of late. I am afraid at this rate nothing will ever get ripe. You must not worry about the garden. I guess we can manage to have it fixed some way. If W. does not have time we can hire somebody else. Dear precious Papa, I should like to have a chance to kiss you good night.

Your own loving Mary L.

Part of Letter from Mary Frances Lyman on Portland outings, teaching, and the weather