Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1007.001/002.003-001#044

[printed letterhead: The Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute]
Hampton, Va., March 9, 1892.
Miss Alice Longfellow,
Kind Friend, -
I thank you for your kindness and haved [sic] taken such a great interest in this school.
Last spring I did some drawings for commencement. I wonder you have seen them.
After our commencement was over, the school broke up, some of the students are to go north to work. So I was one of them those going up north to work. I spend my summer in Woodbury Conn. I injoyed the place very much indeed. I worked on the farm. The man whom I worked for, his oldest son began [p. 2] to ask questions about the Indian scalps and what sundance was ment. After a while he ask me to make bow and arrows. He did not believe that bow and arrow could kill a person. I told him Indians used bow and arrows to kill buffaloes with. Any how if I make one and kill every wood-chuck on his farm he would give me .25 for each. One day I went to work with him and made bow and arrow. He furnish the feathers to go on the arrows and fish line for the bow string. When we had finished it all, his brother-inlaw and one of his brother they came. I dont know whether he told them, that we had Indian bow and arrow. I shook hands with them. They were very kind to. He showed to them what we have [p. 3] made. They began to talk about the old Indian Chiefs and how the lakes are named after an Ind. Chief. They did not know that I have learned how to shoot bow and arrows. They began to march towords the hill, where the tall pine tree stand, as we came near there were flock of larks just left the green meadow beyond. All of them stoped on the pine tree. All of the gentlemen said now, now Charley, let me see the bird come down.
I got under the tree with my bow and arrow, but I cannot see any, then, I saw one on the [p. 4] highest branch. The poor bird did not know that was her last night. I shoot an arrow at it, and it pass about inch from it, arrow was so swift that she did not fly. Second arrow went through her tender body, Which I am sorry to say. This term I haved been north with Gen. Armstrong and our Quartett. That was the time General took sick.
I was sorry not to see you in Boston. General did not go with us than. We continue the work untill five weeks were out. I enjoyed my trip very much, we went as far to Portland, Maine. And this last time we first gone for nearly two weeks. When I came back I have found to be strayed away from my studies but I did not get [p. 5] discouraged. Therefore there has been an arrangement for me which I like it very well. So I enter night school and have my drawing lesson every half day and work the rest of the day.
It was your father's birth-day 27th of February some of the students gave very nice entertainment. They did it because they haved remembered that was your father's birthday. I am glad that my kind teacher has remind me to write to you, I am glad that I have done so, because you [p. 6] have taken a great interest in the school, and because you paid my scholarship.
Yours gratefully,
Charley Washington.

• Keywords: long archives; document; alice m. longfellow papers (long 16173); education; hampton institute; correspondence; Manuscripts (1007.001); (LONG-Subcollection); Correspondence (1007.001/002); (LONG-SeriesName); Scholarship Student Correspondence (1007.001/002.003); (LONG-SubseriesName); Letters to Alice Longfellow (1007.001/002.003-001); (LONG-FileUnitName)