Vassar College, Poughkeepsie N.Y.
February 23. 1868


My dear Mother:


I am impatiently waiting for the letter that I am almost sure to have from you tomorrow morning. I have to practice gymnastics from eight o'clock so shall not be able to get it for an hour nearly, just before I have to go to my first recitation. The past week has been quite a nice pleasant one. Monday morning your letter came and that was a good beginning for the week.


My school duties are all over in the forenoon you know and the time seems to pass very quickly till then. Tuesday I had letters from Charlie, Mr. Ide and Maggie. Charlie's contained an account of his visit to Ellen and I judge that she never stood higher in


his estimation than now. If every one knew as well as I do - how little doubt there would be in any one's mind but what she is the one "altogether lovely" to him. I suppose before this Sue or someone may have told you about Mr. Ayres' introducing him to a minister as "brother Cummings" by mistake. Mr. Ide writes that Jennie and Miss Carpenter will both teach in the academy this spring. Isn't that nice for Jennie?


He says Horace and Maggie constitute quite a dignified family also that he has taken dinner there once or twice. I am glad Maggie pleases Horace's family so well.


She wrote me about her household affairs somewhat and says she is very busy indeed. She said nothing about her mother's feelings now, but I think she must be in better condition than at the time of the wedding.


Em wrote me a few words the day uncle Kendall was buried and said our house had been thronged with Parkers. It hardly seems possible that uncle Kendall is really gone and that we shall never see him around the village any more. I felt very badly indeed at the news and wished so much that I could have been at home to the funeral. He had a great many things about him to make friends if he was so sharp sometimes. How does Aunt Julia seem to get along? It always seems sad for a man to die and leave his wife alone in old age, but she has children and grand-children to cheer her up. Em writes that Nell came last Tuesday, so I know that she is there. I hope you will be able to keep her as long as you want to but am doubtful on that score, for she has so many arrangements in that for head of


hers. We have had no school duties since Thursday for would be Dr. Raymond thought it was not be fair if we could not have a holiday because Washington's birth-day came on Saturday. I was very glad for it I assure you and wish we could have another before long. We shall have one or two before Founder's Day the 29th of April. I suppose there will be one or two Fast days. I shall be nine-teen ten weeks from today. Just think of it - eighteen only ten weeks more, and in a year shall be out think of it at all. I have another my plaid dress is about my only wear my gingham.
***
of my teens forever. I don't like to
pair of bands to send this time and
stand by. I shall be glad when I can




[Mary (Parker) Woodworth, '70]