Vassar College N.Y.
Dec. 24th/71.
Dear Allie,
You were real good to 
write me so soon. I was so glad 
to get your letter. First you ask 
me why am I here. Ans. Because 
I wish to have a quiet time to 
write my chapel essay, and I 
know I shall not have time 
at all, after vacation. Cornie 
Knowles and Mame Taylor both 
asked me to stay, but I thought 
I had better not. 
How nicely you will be 
fixed up, after you get your 
satines and black silks made.
Aunty said I might have one, 
but I don't think it is worth
while as long as I am here.
How lovely Ida Smith's dresses 
must have been, ashes of roses oh!
that is my weakness you know. 
I think that Sallie Stoner ought 
to be settled, why don't Lee invite 
his friends any way, if it is only 
Sallie's whim. She might be 
married first, and then Lee 
have a respectable wedding. 
How do you like Ida as the time 
approaches. I think that Sallie's 
[idea] whim, as you call it, not to see 
Lee married is simply scandalous.
Oh! about your "Illuminator", 
do you receive contributions 
outside your society? If so, 
I have something which, although 
not original, will be splendid 
for it. Write me if I shall send 
it. I should think your club
would be splendid. How I should 
like to join. Is it a complimen-
tary affair, or can any one 
join who expresses a desire 
to do so. We have not formed 
our Reading Club yet, indeed 
I am afraid it is going to fall 
through. Did I write you that 
I had been promoted to the dig-
nity of Librarian? You don't 
know how grand I feel 
sitting behind my desk, and 
doing what is to be done. I only 
keep the Library open two hours 
a day, but I can come in and 
stay all day If I wish to. I 
am writing here now because 
it is so quiet. 
Night before last, We seniors 
made up a party to go to Pokeepsle
to hear Mr. James Parton lecture 
upon "Who Are the Vulgar? 
Just before leaving we thought 
perhaps it would be just as 
well to inform the Lady Principal 
that we were going, so Miss Rawson
went up and told her, saying 
that she thought it would 
be just as well to let her know 
that we were going, "Yes, says 
Mrs. Lord - I should think so. 
Are you in the habit of going 
into town without permission? 
Oh yes says Miss R. 
we never ask permission. 
Oh! I think it is very nice to go in, 
I hope you will have a pleasant 
time; We did have a pleasant 
time too. Mr. Parton gave us a 
little fling, by repeating 
something which was published 
in a New York paper 
sometime ago. It is something 
like this: "The Vassar
young ladies have plenty 
of silk dresses but no 
warm flannels, plenty of satin 
slippers, but no heavy shoes, 
and more to the same effect. 
When he heard that there were some 
Vassar girls present, he said 
he would like to see us. As we 
were all provided with extra 
shawls, clouds &c, we thought it 
would be fine fun to go in and 
show them to him, but we were
all in the sleighs, and so thought 
It was hardly worth while to 
get out. We enjoyed his lecture 
exceedingly. Have you heard it, 
or have you seen any notices of it? 
His idea is I believe that no 
American is vulgar who 
takes an interest in public 
affairs. He thinks that a few 
millions does not keep one 
from being vulgar, when 
one (Tweed) can steal more
millions in a few years 
than an honest man 
can make in a life time,
nor does he think that 
riding in your Carriage 
and wearing diamonds 
keep you from being vulgar, 
when such men as Flske 
and Gould keep their 
carriages and are covered 
with Jewels, &c,&c,&c.
Last night Dr. Raymond 
invited us into his parlour 
and read several of the 
Siglow papers to us, and 
also several scenes from 
Nicholas Nickleby. 
I am going into town tomorrow 
to dine with the Thomas' I 
don't want to stay all night 
If I can help it, for Dr. Avery 
is going to give us a grand 
party tomorrow night. She has 
engaged a band from 
Pokeepsie. And rumor
says that some gentlemen 
from the same city are 
to be invited. If it is true, 
I presume it is only the 
more harmless kind such 
as the trustees and their sons,
perhaps a few small boys to 
see Nellie Raymond.
I am crazy to be present, 
for it is decidedly "the affair" 
of the season. It is called 
a hygiene ball, and is to 
be from six to nine (during 
which time Dr. Avery expects 
to dance with fifty young 
ladies.) after nine we return
to the college, (the ball is 
given in the gymnasium) 
and have refreshments.
At ten o'clock everyone 
is supposed to be gone. 
Don't you think it will
be fun? I do. Now you write me 
just as soon as you get this 
telling me what you do on 
Christmas, and I will give 
you a description of our ball, 
you must write soon though 
or I shall forget it all. 
Good-bye until after the ball,
Sallie.

Do you hear anything of the 
small pox in Sandusky? 
I am morally certain that 
we will have to have it here, 
and have to break up the college. The
girls think I am absurd, but 
I do think it will be a miracle 
if three hundred and fifty 
girls go through New York, 
Brooklyn and Philadelphia 
without some of them getting 
it and of course it is very 
possible that they will
bring it back here. S.