Vassar College.
Nov. 17, 1873,
My dear Mamma,
For a wonder I have nothing of importance to do today and can
sit down and write letters.
Prof. Mitchell has gone to Boston and will remain away until
Tuesday evening, this gives us vacation in Astronomy, and we never have
recitations in Rhetoric Mondays, because then our essays are read.
German then is the only lesson I have to learn for Monday and that is
already done.
 Fannie Buffington has Just asked me to go home with her for the vacation, and I write to you to know your opinion. Fannie lives in Kittanning, Penxu which is long way from here, but then our vacation is three weeks so that it would be worth while to go. If the invitation came from Fan alone, of course I would not think of going, but every one of the family have sent the request, and as I know her sister already, I would not be quite a stranger among them. Aunt Maria has always expected me to spend my vacations with her, but has said nothing of this one. If she Is In Albany though, I presume she will want me to go there, as I should like very much to do. So also would I like to visit Fannie. Can you not decide for me ?
The expense would be something to go to Pennsylvania, and In these hard
it times of money, I suppose must be taken into consideration. Tell me please If I must be very economical this winter. You know when I can get money I am very fond of spending it. I have about decided not to get a new dress, for my others will do very well, and there are several things which I aught to have. But if I go away far the vacation I shall have to have my black alpaca finished. Then my black cloak must be made ever, and my hat
either trimmed or a new one bought, and I ought to have a new underskirt, so my bills cannot fall to be something without the dress. And if times with you are so bad as they are said to be here, money must be pretty scarce.
It takes letters now such an abominably long time to came, and I
have to keep Fannie waiting for an answer until I hear from you, that will
you please write me where to spend my holidays immediately an receipt of
this? Perhaps as a final resort I shall have to decide to remain here
instead of going anywhere.
One of the girls is calling me, so I must close.
With love, your daughter
Julie M. Pease