Vassar College.
Oct. 20. 1872,
My dear Carrie,
My roommate has Just showed me a new way of holding the pen
by which she says one can write this half back hand much more smoothly.
I, as you may perceive, am trying it but not, as yet, with great success.
But this is not much more than my usual scrawling chirogrsphy. Do you
remember a certain General Carletoa? He was stationed at Austin as
Commander in Chief of the camp some time. He was quite an elderly man and was very attentive to Miss- (O how I forget names!) the young lady who desired "style is death." I mention all these things concerning him because you may not recall him any sooner than I did.
 Well, yesterday I learned that he Is paying attention to an old
parlormate of mine, Annie Ansley, and that there is a likelihood that she
will marry him. He told her that he was very well acquainted with Miss
Pease, and she not knowing very much of his character, sent to enquire
what I thought of him. Of course I had nothing in particular to state, having known him so slightly. Annie Is quite young, I think not more than seventeen and pretty, altogether just the one for him to fancy, but I don't see what
can induce her to marry him, unless it Is that she thinks him wealthy.
 Last night our class had Its usual monthly "sociable." This was
an unusually pleasant one. The play was a short pantomime, "The Babes
in the Woods," one of the most laughable things I ever saw. The Robins
were represented by two of the tallest girls in our class, whose costumes
were extremely ridiculous. They chirped and pipped abour covering the
poor babes with leaves, doing their part to perfection. Then there were some not very remarkable tableaux. And dancing then became the amusement.
 Yesterday we had a hard hail storm and I was out in it all. We were
on the other side of the lake when it began, and thinking that It would be
over In a few minutes we braced ourselves against a tree, covering our
heads, but finally as it began to rain we sought refuge In a mill near by.
Here we remained some time, in company of several Vassarites, some
dripping dogs and teamsters. Altogether we had considerable fun from It.
You did not write me whether Aunt Maria was going to remain West all
winter, Please do so, and also if the Townsend family are now In Austin. I wrote Susie some time ago, directing my letter to Austin. Remember me to all enquiring friends. With "piles" of love.
Julie