Vassar.
Sunday, May 3.
My dear Carrie,
Yesterday your letter enclosed with those of Papa and Mamma
was heartily welcomed. I look forward all the week to the two days when
home letters are to be expected, and after they have been eagerly devoured,
I am generally afflicted with just a touch of homesickness for a moment or
two. Today I was thinking how little of home life I have had. Only two years since I was twelve, have been spent at home, and when I graduate, eight years out of my twenty two will have been passed in the North and away from dear old Wood-Lawn - It does seem so queer to think of you getting married, dearie, and settling down in a home of your own - I cannot realize you ever doing such a thing. Why, pet, I can't get along without you to sleep with, and to talk to half the night. Aunt Maria thinks Sarah's engagement a long one, and she is to be married next spring, what would she think of yours? for you surely will not marry before my return home. What is George doing for a livelihood, and do you think he will come study for a doctors degree? I should think it would be a good thing, fine physicians are almost unknown in Austin.
 Founders Day passed off very nicely. In the morning of that day we
found the snow lying deep upon the ground, and so we feared somewhat that
we might be disappointed in our guests. But no, the evening, bright and
clear, brought them, looking weU and in fine spirits. Josie Buff, took me
took Chapel, Harry Whitney took Fannie, and the remaining, Charlie Craik was favored by Mary Weekes. Josle is always so pleasant, and the other two, we found also very much the same. Mr. Hale gave us a very good address, in much the same style as out usual Founder's Day speakers. The Collation was well served and all went off merrily. While with Fannie's friends at Collation, Cel. Morgan Smith seat for me, to entertain me with his conversation for some little time. Consequently I was bored for about three quarters of an hour and made to blush more than once. For instance, he gave me good advice, telling me not to marry any of the offers which I should have during the first year after my return. Then
attacked Miss Mitchell, in spite of my insisting that there
was no danger, told her that my offers would be twenty a year and wished
her influence exerted to prevent my acception. Imagine nay mortification,
standing there the center of such a group! Mr. Smith introduced me to a
Mr. Sheldon, who is going down to Texas seen and will carry a letter of
introduction to Papa, and expatiated for some time upon the beauty of our place, "where Papa was living like a prince". He else informed him, in a
tone loud enough for the whole hall to hear, that Papa had been "elected
three times by the people". You can well believe that I was glad when Fan
and Mr. Whitney arrived en the scene of action and rescued me. Mrs. Smith
has had a paralytic stroke and is new at Clifton Springs, but when she returns "we must all go and see them".
Our three gentlemen remained until the next day at four. Of course we
took them over the cabinets, & Fannie Introduced them to so many girls that when the went over to slag College songs, Bird Belland I found it advisable to remain behind. After such severe snow-storms as we have had lately, the present bright days are precious. Wild flowers are becoming abundant, but how they have managed to struggle up and blossom is a mystery to me. Some of the girls went snow balling the other day, in order to be able to tell their children and grandchildren that they snowballed on the third of May. It is too bad that I seat "Arthur Bounycastle" when you have all read it.
Next time I must be mare careful to find out what you have read. I want to
get Dr. Clarke book on the Education of the Sexes, and the answer by Mrs.
Howe, Have you either of them? Please answer soon.
As for dress, I know as little about what is fashionable and even less than you carr. I should think your new white would be very nice, but I think I
should wait until coming North before getting anything mare. When you come
through New York In July you will find some pretty things quite cheap. I
have even some lovely samples of