Vassar College
Po'keepsie Dee. 3rd '65
My Dear Parents,
...(portion cut out) ...Penn Yan people had called and
who at lirst refused sent word that he would accept, while Mr Bartlett
was there. Unfortunate was'ent it? But the most glorious thing I have to
tell you is that Mr Bartlett... (portion cut out)
anytime I hope he will not forget to urge him to do it. He said Miss Lyman was very particular again yesterday to know if he had a letter of Introduction. After he had been here time he asked after Emma and Mary Rhoades and said he would like very much to see them If it were possible. I said that if he would like to I thought I could persuade Miss Lyman to let them come in, so I went and found her and after pleading for some time and having her question me about all sorts of things in connection with them she said they might go in and stay for a short time but not too long. So we had quite a gay call. He stayed until a little after twelve. During his conversation he happened to "let the cat out of the bag" by saying In some inadvertent way that he was going to preach to-day. So i said I was going to get Miss Lyman to let me go down If I could. I asked her and she was very willing to let me go as it was communion Sunday at several of the churches and a good many were going down. Miss Lyman thought that it was communion Sunday at several of the churches and a good many were going down. Miss Lyman thought that it was communion at the Congregatlonalist and gave all those who wished to go permission. I did not think it was but of course had no objections to their going. We all met in the parlor end expected to go in the omnibuses but there were only three who were going to the Dutch church and they were going In a carriage so as there was room for two more Miss Sayles asked me to go with her as we were both going to the same church. We had a delightful ride so much pleasanter than to have gone in the omnibus. We felt the three at the Dutch church and then the driver took us to the congregational We were just in time and had a very pleasant seat with only one other lady in it. The other girls who came in the omnibus were very late. They sat on the other side oI the church from us. We had an excellent sermon. Every one that I have heard speak of it liked it very much. The carriage was waiting for us when we came out and as we did not have communion we were out much sooner than those at the Dutch church so Miss Sayles told the driver instead of waiting before the church to drive around a few blocks as it would be some time belier they would be out. It was warm and pleasant and we enjoyed the ride very much. We did not go very far but we saw some very line residences. Miss Sayles has promised to take Emily, Nellie, Jennie, and myself down to Po'keepsle shopping some alter noon this week. We are to have a holiday Thanksgiving and I believe there is to b9 *
lady here from Po'keepsle to get up some tableaux but I have not heard
much about It yet. The organ is to be used on that day for the first time.
My under sleeve that I believe I wrote you was missing came up last week so
I believe now I have lost nothing but a pair of stockings and I manage
to get along without those. I am very anxous to hear what you think about
my dress. All the girls seem to think black silk would be the nearest
what I want of anything. I feel so much more at ease since I have left
off my German. I guess it is just as well for the present. Miss Avery has lost her Father: she left for home last night. It is to bad she has to be away now as quite a number of the girls are sick. Nellie has not been feeling very well yesterday and has not set up all day to-day but is in hopes to be well to-morrow. I am sure we hope so. Oh Mother I am getting so anxous to be home I can hardly wait. Seventeen days from to night, week after next, I may be on my way home. I have heard to day that there is a train leaves Po'keepsle at five Wednesday after-noon so that we could connect all the way through and get home Thursday morning. We shall probably take it if there is such an one. Write me if you have any orders or wishes about what I shall bring home. I wrote to Aunt Eliaa yesterday. Please write as often as you can for letters are my only consolation now. I think I have done quite well now considering that I feel rather tired after going down to church this morning and sitting (I won't say listening) to a sermon from Pres. Raymond of fifty-five minutes. I was too tired to listen to such a long sermon and I dont suppose I can say anything about it tomorrow night, but I do know that I can say nearly all of Mr Bartletts for I have said it almost all to the girls since I returned. But I must close & go to bed I guess for I want to get up stairs early tomorrow morning. Give my love to all enquiring friends and believe me
Ever your loving daughter
Ellen.
[Parentheses indicate letters cut off.]
I forgot to tell Father that I have found a "Sig" friend here, the
President's daughter. She seems very pleasant; has met William Bostwick and is acquainted with him. One of the Profs has a brother who a
a "Sig". You asked me in one letter (1) believe if I had money (e)nough to
come home (w)ith. I had almost forgotten (a)bout it. I have about (2?) 0
dollars at present but shall spend three or four probably if I go down to
the city. You know better (t)han I how much it will take to go home.