Vassar College,
Sept. 15, 1871.
My dear Carrie,
Your last letter made me very happy. I like the little sheets ol
paper better now that you send me a long letter on them. What a miser*
able tlm» you must have been having without a servant. When Aunt
Mfcrtha gets back I hope she will stay, remember me to her, and tell her
I hope she will be there to make waffles for me when I go home. It makes
my mouth water to think of them. The last I had were last Christmas at
Aunt Maria's. I can imagine you making beds and filling lamps. Papa
will be more particular than ever I should think, since the burning of
Chicago. How terrible that was, for those two or three days we talked
of scarcely anything but the fire. There are a good many girls here from
Chicago and several have heard that their homes were entirely destroyed
and their families escaped with nothing but their lives. Miss Farwell, a
daughter of the Farwell whose store was burnt is a student here. For*
tunately they lived some distance from the city so their house was saved.
But it is so much worse fer the poor, and the weather is now so cold. For
the last few days there has been what we Texans would call a norther raging.
It makes me think of the good times we used to have at home, sitting round
the fire in the dear "llbly," either reading or sewing, and towards evening
you and I would put on innumerable wrappings and walk or run from one
gate to the other. I always think more of home In the winter. I suppose
because I have only spent one summer there for a long time and then, ds 2
t\
Sept. 15, 1871 - 2
was sick, I could not enjoy It much. These day gS, are hailed with Joy
by us, because these strong winds bring down chestnuts by thousands,
and it is such fun gathering them. Almost every day we go out hunting
them and X am usually very successful. You may know that they are plenty
for besides all we find, enough had been found for dessert for the whole
college. Just think of boiled chestnuts for dinner, it was worse than
peanuts, or one fig apiece. Cracker pie would be luxurious in comparison.
Our class has selected its mottoe. It is, "Possnat qui posse
vldentur," they conquer who think they can. I like it quite well, do you?
I wish I could ride horseback with you. Do you generally ride
Prince? and do you make him canter? He always used to groan so terribly
over it that I was moved to pity him and let him walk. Does Nannie Hopkins
ride well. I laugh now when I think of her fall when dismounting. What lots
of weddings there are to be in Austin. All the young folks of our set seem
to be getting married. You will get lots of wedding cake, won't you? I
hope the convention Papa attended will accomplish something. Could not
ladies attend? I know you would have liked to.
There has been talk here this week of adopting a uniform for the
whole school, but I think it must have fallen through or else the Chicago
fire has put it out of our heads which cannot contain two such ideas at oace.
For some reasons a uniform would be desirable, I think. It would be com-
fortable and save much unnecessary time spent upon dressing. But it would
Sept. 15, 1871 * 3
not save much expense as we would have to have drosses lor all seasons
look
to wear when away Irom hero, and then we would^ike a sot of orphans at
make
an asylum, sv Soma think a costume would^this appear a womans rights
Institution, hut X don't sea why.
1 am sorry that Johan does not gat any better. I suppose you will
soon be deprived ol his usual Saturday visits II ho goes to Mexico this
winter. I hope you had a pleasant visit Irom Col. Judd and Mr. Treadwell.
Is the former as lank as ever and as fond of talking ai Marshall Jewell and
Connecticut politics, and did he enquire If you gave his massage to Mr.
Howard, who has a glass eye? Mr. Treadwell X can imagine talking affably
with Mamma.
Please ask Papa If he ever knew a Mr. John Wiley of Galveston.
of
He, Mr. Wiley, is not now In the land of tha living. Ha was an uncleAMaggle
Ball and as she asked If I knew him, I thought I would enquire of Papa, who
is always our reference*
Where has JonMa Tumor bean staying this summer to llnd so many
beaux? They are scarce In most regions.
You had more perseverance than Z to finish "Henry Esmond." At
lirst I liked it very much but it grew stupid and I did not llnd time to finish
it. The ending Is not good. I am now reading "Little Dorritt," and like it
so far, have reached the prunes and prism part.
X hope that you have not waxed any leaves lor they do not keep nicely.
Ours are already quite brown and faded. X have pressed some and Intend to
Sept. 15, 1871 - 4
varnish them. I am told there is a preparation which keeps leaves bright
but have not yet found out the name. 1 wish I could send you some bright
leaves which I have and in exchange get some of your mistletoe and moss.
By the way, Auntie wants you to be sure and bring her same moss, bath
brown and green, and some cactus pins. Don't forget it, please.
A very nice young man preached this morning, and preached a vary
good sermon. JLast Sunday Prof. Orton gave us a very forcible sermon
upon extravagance In speaking, It would be a gaad thing if we would
profit by It. Who takes Mr. Swancoats ,? , place 7 and has Prof. Hamvasy
gone home? 1 wish 1 could aaa the good aid man. This afternoon there Is
to be a meeting of the "Friends" In Chapel. I am going, as I have never
attended one of their meetings, but It Is to be hoped that the spirit will
move them to something more Interesting than to state hew many eggs are
necessary for a pudding. X am sending the photograph today. Expect you
have given up all hope of ever getting It. With love ta all Julie.
gJulla M. Pease, '75,
A