Vassar College
Po'keepsie, N.Y, Feb. 16, 1876
My dear father and Mother—
The mail has come for this 
morning but there was no letter for me and 
I always get one Wednesdays but perhaps 
it will come this afternoon. It rained here 
very hard yesterday and the day before, but 
last night it froze hard and to-day the 
wind is blowing at a furious rate. Bertha
Hasbrook died Tuesday night. Her mother 
came last week Friday. I was mistaken 
her father was not here. They telegraphed 
to him Tuesday morning and he got 
here this morning at 9.30. I was walking
and met him as he got out of the car 
and I never saw such agony on any 
person's face as there was on his. Don't 
suppose he knew it until his brother met 
him at the depot. Yesterday Miss Lucy 
summoned us all to the chapel and said we 
must be cautious in writing to our friends
that we gave them to understand that it was not
contagious that caused her death, but rheumatic 
fever with other causes. Yesterday we had our lessons 
as usual but this morning college duties are suspended 
and at 11 there is to be short service in the chapel. 
All her acquaintances hare the privilege of seeing the 
corpse in Miss Terry's parlor fifteen minutes 
before the service. They return home this morning. 
Had but these two daughters and this 
one was the youngest she was eighteen.
Two weeks ago, a young lady in their parlor 
was summoned heme by the death of 
her sister and Bertha said, "It would kill 
me, if any of my friends should die. 
I hope I will be the first one." She was 
a member of the Exotic society. Yesterday 
the society appointed a committee to get 
flowers and have them arranged so they 
could be transported. They have a beautiful 
cross and anchor. She has been sick but 
little over a week and it does seem so
hard for us all. I can never forget that 
father's face. He looks very much like you, 
Pa, only his whiskers and hair are more 
grey. Received a letter from Nellie yesterday 
and she asked me to get her a silk. 
Now if she sends me a sample and tells me
just how much she is willing to pay, I think 
I had better get it for her. I was looking in 
my trunk the other day and saw there was a grease 
spot right on the tab of my Japanese basque. 
How can I get if off? My silk handerchief 
looks ever so nice and so does the tie. I like 
the lace on it, never saw that way before. 
I hope my alapaca will come this week, 
for I do not like to wear my silk every 
Sunday. Seven weeks before vacation, I am 
getting very impatient for the time to come 
when I can be home once more. What am I 
to buy in N.Y.? Don't think I am in to 
great a hurry, for you know it takes 
some time to think of all the little 
things and write about them. Pa what 
are you thinking about the centennial? Please 
tell me. Have just come from the service. The 
President's remarks were very touching and 
very appropriate. He said we had not one 
tear to shed for her for she was a Christian, 
all our sorrow was for her bereaved parents 
and friends. She was unconscious all the time. 
Only recognized her mother once. Some say 
she had typhoid fever but I guess it is 
not so. I will wait until the other mail 
comes before I finish this, and maybe there will 
be a letter for me. I so hope there will be. 
After dinner: The letter came this noon, and I 
was so glad. Thank you ever so much for it.
Now, Ma, I do not want that brown silk I 
want you to have it and to have a pretty 
brown hat to wear with it, I have my black 
silk, grenadine and white and those are all 
the dresses I care for this summer. And I 
want you to make that up stylish and 
pretty for yourself. Your grenadine will do 
for every day and afternoon, S.S. and 
that kind of wear, and you do not 
want to make up your black silk before 
fall do you? So you see, you need it. Pa 
please send me more than the $100. How 
is Mrs. Simpson? Ben does not say when
he will come, only not before March. Hope 
he wont come unless he wants to. Guess 
he corresponds with Maud and Lute from 
what he wrote, but I did not say one word 
about it to him in my letter. I can not 
always send a letter Wednesdays, but to-day 
did not have any lesson to learn. Am so 
glad I will have my dress by Saturday. 
Pa please send the money right away 
if you have not already. Pa you must write 
next time.
From your loving daughter
Addie Thompson

Send me more stamps please.