Details
We had my trunk checked over to the boat and were told to look after it about half an hour before reaching Poughkeepsie. We breakfasted on board the boat and went to the Albany [Day] boat which we were to take to Poughkeepsie. Father saw two ladies from [Canton] and introduced me Miss Everett and Mrs. Ellis. He was intending to leave me on board the boat, but we felt so badly that he concluded to go as far as [Nyack] and take the cars home or, rather, to New York. Oh, I was homesick when left me! And I was tired, too which makes it worse.
But the scenery up the Hudson was just grand. I enjoyed the first part of it exceedingly; but at last I was too tired to enjoy it very much. I must tell about the Hudson. For a long way after leaving New York the Palisades extend along the west bank, and on the east the country is hilly and has very many beautiful residences. Both banks are prettily wooded all the way, the trees being cedars, shaped like sugar loafs. The Palisades are very high, rocky bluffs,
rising perpendicularly from the very waters edge, or from a sloping sand-bank, or narrow strip of low, level land, on which often houses are built. The sides of the Palisades have a little verdure, and are much groved as if by the sand washing down the sides. Near the end of the Palisades, and almost on the verge, it seems from the river, is the Palisade Mountain House. What a view must be seen from it. How I admired the residences on the opposite sides. Many of them crowned hill-tops and the beautifully sloping sides, and the trees surrounding rendered them charming. I saw two that were built after the fashion of ancient castles, and to see them, on could imagine herself looking back into antiquity. Further on the highlands were broken into high hills - mountains the guide-book called them. I especially noticed two that stood on opposite sides of the river. Old Crow's Nest & Sugar Loaf. I think the latter deserved its name; for it was very [sym-]
metrical, but its sides were not so sleek as the sides of a sugar loaf. We passed by Constitution Island, the home of Miss Warner, author of "Wide Wide World." We also passed Stony & West Points. At the former are strong bluffs, not so high as the Palisades, but having no verdure on their sides. No wonder they called the place "Stony" Point. At the foot of the bluffs were low stone houses that looked as if they might have belonged to the fort. There was a light house on this point and one at West Point also. At the latter place we saw the library of the Academy, distinguishable by the dome. Just above the West Point was the place where, in 1776, they stretched across a chain to keep the British from going up the Hudson. We saw, too, the house which Gen. Washington made his head quarters. It was stone, with a low, sloping roof. Near by it stands a flag staff. It is situated just south of Newburgh. The river, after we left the Palisades, grew narrower, and had more bends. Indeed, in some places it seemed as if we were shut in
on all sides and there was no way to pass out. Then how pretty it looked to discover the channel and see it gradually widen. At one place the angle the river burned was so sharp that it seemed to "bend up double." Oh, the whole was beautiful, grand!
Friday, Sept. 20th 1878.
At Po'keepsie.
When I went to look after my trunk the baggage-master told me to always look after my baggage the first thing. I will remember that again. When I arrived at Poughkeepsie, there I stood on the wharf, with my trunk, and up rushed half a dozen baggage-express men and hack men with "Vassar College," "Express your baggage across the city, Ma'am," and other such remarks. I didn't know where to leave my trunk, nor where to take the horse-cars. And I was so tired I couldn't think, especially when so many hack-men, etc. were
all talking to me together. I am going to be a true Bostonian now and say, why don't they give the hack men a place to stand and make them stand there? Well, I thought I would take a hack and go with my trunk to the college, so my trunk could stay there if I could not. A lady rode down in the hack, too, and back. I was exceedingly tired. When I arrived here I inquired for Prof. [Backus]. But he was not in. Then I learned that I couldn't be accommodated at the College but that on the following day I could. So I went back in the hack to the "Morgan House." When I reached my room there, how I cried! I had been long for a chance to cry. I was, indeed, homesick. But, as, of course, crying would not help the matter, I soon stopped, and bathed my burning face in cool water. Then I went down and wrote home 3 sheets and the same number to [Harry]. This cooled me off and
raised my spirits. I went down to tea feeling much better. After tea, I put the finishing touches to my letters and was soon to go to mail them, when there came a tap at the door. Opening it, a servant handed me a card, with the words, "Gentleman in the Parlor." "Who?" thinks I, and read Prof. Backus' name. Oh, I was glad to see him. He introduced me to two young ladies that were stopping there and were to be [examined]. A Miss Reynolds and a Miss Some-body-else. I have become quite well acquainted with the former and like her. I sat a while in the parlor, then posted my letters and went to bed. It was some time before I went to sleep, but I then slept soundly. In the morning I woke feeling better. After breakfasting, still better. I gathered up what I had in my room, and went to wait for a horse-car. There I met a young lady, also evidently waiting for a car. I spoke, and we introduced ourselves. Miss Morrill was her
name. We rode down in the horse-car together, and I liked her very much. I haven't seen much of her, however, since. It is nearly time for supper, so I will now close my writing.
Saturday, Sept. 21st, 1878.
At the College.
When I reached the College, I inquired for Prof. Backus, but before I could see him, Miss Morse, the Pres. Ass't came up to me. She said that my name had been mentioned to her by Miss Wilson, who lived right across the street from her. That was Belle Wilson, whose father used to be the Orthodox Minister in Stoughton, and who taught Harry French one summer. I was glad to know that Miss Morse was acquainted with her. Then Miss Morse took me into the third parlor, and the card which told my standing was marked with my full name and my age. [No] examinations for me took place until 2.30 P.M. This was because I was examined in June in Boston, and passed in all but 2 semesters of Latin, Quadratic Equations, An-
-cient History and Physical Geography. The latter two I have never studied. So I was shown the Reading Room, and there I sat until 2.30, P.M., when I went to Prof. Braisley's (a lady) room and was there examined. There was a question on Geometrical Progression among mine and I had never studied Progression. So I hold her; but she said I might enter the Freshman class, as we were to review that. After Algebra I was taken to the Pres. office, sent to the Treaurer's office. Paid my $300, and went to Miss Morse to have my room assigned. It is on the first floor, or ground gloor. Quite pleasant. I have the outside sleeping-room. After tea, I met Miss [Shailer], a New York girl, who was examined in Boston at the same time I was.
Later.
Miss Reynolds came in for me to go down to the Lake, so I stopped writing. I will begin where I left off. I went up to Miss Shailer's room, and when I came down found a young lady here, who gave her name as Miss Jessie F. Wheeler, and who was occupying
one of the inside rooms. So I did not have to stay alone. Miss Wheeler, however went home last night, but is to come again Monday. Yesterday I went up town with Miss Reynolds. The principal errand was to get a bag to put our washing in. That evening I promised to go up to Miss Reynolds room; but -
Later.
Miss Shailer came in and stayed till tea time and after tea and chapel I went into Miss Reynold's room and into her corridor teacher's room a while. I tried to call on Miss Gross, who is one of those who were examined in Boston, but she was out. It is raining this evening. Until now we've had beautiful weather. But I will go on - Miss Shailer asked me to come and bring [Hattie] (Miss Reynolds) there. I found Hattie feeling dreadfully homesick and bad. Her roommate - Miss [Gawne] - had come and acted very hateful and disagreeable. But we went to Miss Shailer's and spent a very pleasant evening. Miss Nickerson and Miss Buckrand are in her study parlor.
Hattie's room is only one sleeping-room to a
study parlor. Today Hattie and I went out rowing on the Lake. This week they didn't charge for the boats. Next week they do. This morning Miss Morrill and I went out around the lake and had a very pleasant walk. Last night when I came home from Miss Shailer's, I found here Miss Tappan, who occupies the single inner room. She has a drop light and table-cloth, which are two things we needed for our rooms. I have written tons of letters home and 3 to Harry, and have had one from Mother. Prof. Backus opened College last night and gave us all a welcome. How rambling this last is written!
Monday, Sept 23rd 1878
My First Sunday.
Yesterday was my first Sunday here. After breakfast Miss Morrill and I started for a walk, and meeting [Cora] Shailer and her Parlor-mates, going to the Glen, we joined them. Had a very pleasant walk and they all came to my room, after they returned, for
a few minutes. At 11 there were services in the Chapel. Rev. Caldwell, our Pres., delivered the sermon. He has just been appointed Pres., the former one having recently died, and he is a Baptist Minister, formerly at the head of a Theological School. His sermon was about the yoke of Christianity, and I liked it very much. He seemed to be very liberal. After dinner I called on Miss Gross, and then went to Hattie's room. After supper I went there again and Miss Owen from Iowa came in too. Just after supper we had Chapel service, as usual. Prof. Backus has conducted it, but last night the Lady Principal did. And she was nice. After Chapel there was a Prayer meeting, which we did not attend. Later in the the evening there was an organ concert, which we attended, but were all very sleepy. After that I came home and retired, feeling rather tired-out after my first Sunday. I wrote one letter and finished another yesterday. It was quite cool, but very pleasant, which is contrary to the usual order of things for the first Sunday.
Assigning Lessons Later.
We all went to the Chapel this morning to have our lessons assigned. I was read off for 4. Freshman Latin and Mathematics, Ancient History and Physical Geography. As they would conflict anyway, Ancient History was taken off. 3 studies are all they usually allow, anyway. I don't take Greek till next semester. I didn't get my studies arranged till after my Mathematics period had passed. But I went to Physical Geography and Latin. Lessons for tomorrow were assigned in each. I have bought a Allyn & Greenough's grammar, and have to get a Composition and Livy Anthon's, Miss Goodwin, the Latin teacher, said. Alas! there's not a [Livy] with a vocabulary to be had. I can never use my great Lexicon. I shall have to purchase a small one. Miss Morrill and I took a walk this morning and Miss Wheeler came this noon and we took a walk this afternoon. Now I suppose, rules begin. Tonight we had a corridor meeting and
Miss Miller (our corridor teacher) was along to ask if we belonged to any church and what church we attended. [Her] lesson tomorrow in Latin is Life of [Livy]. Miss Morrill and I were up in the Library this evening to read about him but we couldn't find much.
Wednesday, Sept. 25th '78.
Getting to Work.
We are getting to Work now. Have had two lessons in Physcial Geography. Not very long ones and not very well prepared. But starting ones. It is to be very nice. Miss [Haekell], our teacher, tells us many very interesting things, which I take down, and copy into my "Encyclopedia." Our Latin is also very interesting. It is a little hard to get started with a new teacher and new author, but not very hard. I like Miss Goodwin, too. Prof. Braverley, our mathematics teacher, is nice. She is splendid in mathematics. We are studying Progression now. We take [Livy], in Latin. Miss Goodwin has told
us and made us find out a great many things about [Livy]. But not only are we getting started in our studies, but we are getting the rules and regulations into our brains. And I will here say that they're not at all burdensome. Yes, I like here very much. I had a letter from mother yesterday. She thinks of sending on to me a large easy chair, if I wish. And father wants me to tell if I am homesick and not keep it to myself as Harry did. But I am not at all homesick. Yesterday was rainy at intervals and cloudy all day I only took 3/4 hour exercise. Wrote to mother in the evening. Today commenced cloudy, but cleared off beautiful, but rather warm. Miss Wheeler and I went to walk around the lake. Saw [Cora] and Miss Buckland out in a boat. They invited us to go out too. So we had a row, and a pleasant time. Well, I ought to be studying. It is study hour.
Thursday, Sept. 26th 1878.
Rainy-day Exercise, News of Class-mates, and Good Advice from a Brother and Old Student. Today, the sun rose in a cloud. But it shone out brightly after a while, and when Hattie and I came from Physical Geography we took a half-hours walk. This afternoon it begain to rain and drizzled all day long. But, as we are required to take [Thorer's] exercises, rain or shine, out of doors, each day, I thought I'd brave it. So I put on my sack, took my umbrella and started with Miss Wheeler, who, however, soon came in, as she had a sore throat. I met Misses Shailer, [Nickerson] and Buckland, so walked around the Lake with them. Was gone about an hour. Thought today's exercise in the rain ought to make up for one rainy afternoon when I left 15 minute's of my time "un-walked." At dinner, it was announced that Dr. Webster requested the young ladies not to go out any more, which excused them from their walk. Oh, Miss Goodwin is splendid
in Latin! She makes everything so clear and interesting.
This evening I went up into Hattie's room. We only have 1 hour's study hour after our 3 o'clock dinner.
Today I had a latter from Miss Clifton and Harry. Miss Clifton says [Clapp] is at the [Normal]. So that's 4 of our class of 7 there - Clapp, Helen, Alice and Isabelle. And Powers wants to go, too. I wish he could. He is so smart and persevearing! Farrell, I suppose is at Tufts. And here am I. Four weeks ago tomorrow night we were all together with Mr. [Pulsifer] and Miss Clifton. In a little less than year, we will be together once more, at our next class meeting. Oh may we all be there! And Harry, the dear boy! It is his first letter since I left. When mother was on this summer, he had her get me a silver napkin-ring in Chicago. It was a beautiful one, all frost-work covered with stars and with a wreath surroundeding my name. Aunt Sarah's choice, and
she said she hoped the stars would be "emblematic of my Vassar Course." I told Harry, and he writes - "I hope the stars will be emblematic of your course through life and remember, your course after school-days is of, at least, as much importance as that in school. "So be careful and don't injure yourself trying to be the best scholar in your class; better be moderate in your ambition and you will do better in a long run.
"I suppose mother has told you about examinations. If not I would say, don't cram too much and never worry at all.
"Try and cultivate just enough 'don't care' to make your mind easy and go in to do the best you can: if you are beaten, say 'never mind, we will see about it next time!'"
Friday, Sept. 27th 1878
The Close of First Week of Work.
A beautiful day today after the storm of yesterday. I sent Harry's letter home to be read and today have written to [Gertie].
I have gotten rather mixed up and I hardly know who I've written to and who I have not. I must write a lot tomorrow and more tonight if I have time. [Gorgie] Morrill was in here this evening. I think she's so nice. Study hour isn't in force Friday nights, and "Light's out" bell doesn't strike till 10 P.M. Last night when I was in Hattie's room, somebody came to get subscribers for the College Paper, edited by the students. Of course I ought to patronize our Vassar Paper so I subscribed. $1.50 per year. It was quite cool out today. I took 20 min walk with Miss Wheeler this morning and Hattie and I walked 40 min. just before lunch. Today we had to get our trunks ready so they could be taken away by tomorrow morning. If there were two in my room, I don't know what I should with all my things. My first week of work is out this night. Yes, I like here. I think I have well chosen. The teachers are real nice. They all give splendid explanations of every point.
There [sic] work is thorough and critical. I enjoy my studies. They give us for the first, short lessons, that we may become accustomed to their ways and they to ours. Oh, how thankful should we all be, that it has been our lot to come into this school and, be brought under teachers who will take such pains with us and bring us to a true idea of knowledge and its use. Yes, my first week at Vassar has been a happy one. Long, long will I remember it, as the beginning of 4 times 40 weeks, I hope, as happy as this and as useful in forming the tastes and foundation of my life.
Two young ladies were just in to look at the room. They had it last year and wanted to see it again. They said it really made them home-sick to look in. I remarked to Miss Wheeler, that next year we should be doing the same. But I like the first floor. And mother was glad I was here, and for all I know I may be here again next year.
Saturday, Sept. 28th 1878.
Changes.
Well, quite a lot of changes have taken place today. Early this morning Miss [Tappan] informed us that she was going to move. So she did, taking her drop light, table-cloth and little rocking-chair. Well I wrote a long list of wants to mother this forenoon, fixings for both rooms. Misses Morrill, Buckland, Wheeler and myself took an hour's walk and picked some real pretty grasses and asparagus, which I fixed over my glass, making it look very pretty. At noon I received a letter from home saying that they would send on to me our big stuffed rocking-chair. And for me to send word what else I wanted with it. I was very much elated. Presently, Jessie's mother came, bringing two chairs for her, a little, comfortable rocking chair and a camp chair. Jessie said she would get a cover for the table if I would get the drop light. I shall get it as soon as possible for
I can't stand this flickering light. Jessie went up town with her mother and came back this evening bringing some brown diagonal flannel for this table. Her mother commenced to emroider the edge. Jessie is going to finish it. Mother sent me a picture of myself. I exchanged with Miss [Cliven]. She is rather a queer girl, but I like her pretty well. She is from Missouri. Has a brother in the West Point Academy. He had the name of being the handsomest boy in the company, so somebody told her. She stopped to see him on the way, and the cadets have sent her 6 brass buttons. Hattie has been in this evening, and [Cora] and Miss Buckland. Also Miss Miller, our corridor teacher. When I get my things, our rooms will look real pretty. Jessie's chairs and table cover already gibe it another aspect. Their seats at table tonight were assigned tonight. Jessie and I are on the 4th table down the centre. The seniors have the 1st three. Tomorrow, also, we have a Bible Class.
Sunday, Sept 29th 1878
Daisy.
This is my second Sunday. We met in Bible classes just after Silent Time this morning and had our lessons assigned for next Sunday. Had church at 11. I have a bad cold and am not feeling very well, and Dr. Caldwell couldn't hold my attention, perhaps somewhat on that account Mrs. Wheeler has been here most all day. I wrote to Mr. [Baules] and Harry (and began a letter home today[)]. Miss BUckland is a great admirer of the daisy. As I don't like them very well, I have made fun a little over her enthusiasm on the subject. Today when I was out walking with Miss Morrill, I espied some, yellow with a brown centre. I picked them and begged a white one from Jessie's bouquet and pined [sic] to them a paper saying "Miss Buckland. With the compliments of Anne [G.] [Panthrouth]." They go to lunch during the first half
hour, we during the second. So at their lunch time, I went up. The door was half-way open. I knocked, and, receiving no reply, went in and deposited my offering on the table. Tonight Jessie and I went up to call and go to chapel with them. Miss Buckland thanked me for them and said they were very pretty. I called her Daisy and Miss Nickerson and I concluded to give her the name. So Daisy she shall be to me hereafter. I like her ever so much.
Monday, Sept. 30th 1878
A Bad Beginning.
I went to Mrs. [Ray's] office this noon to get permission to go to town to purchase a drop light. After my lessons were over I went. I had quite a number of little errands that I didn't have time for. But I procured my drop light and fixings for $7.00 and brought it home in triumph and set it up, and lit it this evening. But I have to wash the chimney and shade before it
will look very nice. But it is a great addition to the room, and the light doesn't hurt my eyes. Miss Gross and Miss Warren and their room-mate were in here tonight. Miss Nickerson may be in to see our table-cloth. The other night there was a committee appointed to draw up resolutions concerning the death of Pres. Raymond. Tonight a meeting was called to pass them. They are to be published in the next College paper. There was a corridor meeting tonight and we had to report about taking exercise, baths, and attending chapel. I had to report deficient on acc't of 15 min. exercise the first rainy day. Not a very good beginning. I shan't have to report it again however unless I am sick.
Wednesday, Oct 2nd '78.
The Japanese.
Had a letter from Miss Kimball today, and wrote to Lucy.
I have been longing to get acquanted with the Japanese girls, and have never
before had a chance. But yesterday, [Cora], Daisy, and I were out for an hour's walk, when they came along. So we went along together and picked autumn leaves. We had a very pleasant walk, and when we came back, they came into my room just to look at it. Again today, Jessie and I walked with them around the Lake, and Jessie and Miss Nagai (the smaller one, the princess, so I hear) got interested in stamps. So Jessie and I went up this evening, Jessie taking her stamp [sic], I, my autograph album. Miss Yamakawa had an engagement and was out, but we three spent a very pleasant evening. Miss nagai has a very nice collection of autographs. Many authors, states-men, etc. And a lot of nice photographs, too. And she showed us some Japanese books. Miss Nagai takes only Music, as her eyes trouble her so she can't read and write much. Miss Yamakawa is almost full freshman. I like them both. It amused me to hear Miss Nagai say "and those are Japs" when she came to
some Japanese in her album. She was 10 when she came here. I believe she has been here 7 yrs. She has one brother being educated in France. All her brothers and sisters are being educated somewhere, in Japan or a foreign country.
Friday, Oct. 4th 1878.
Another Friday - Apples.
Another Friday night here! How quickly the week has passed. And last week went so slowly. I am getting on well in my studies. Like my teachers as much as ever. Miss Goodwin is splendid! She explains everything all out so nicely, defining every little point. She helps us to a tanslation so smooth and at the same time departing in nothing from the translation. And the clearness of Prof. Braislin's explanations! And the interesting things in Physical Geography. Oh, I enjoy things here.
I had a letter from Mother today and she is going to send me a big chair
and some other things. She wrote Thursday, and was going to pack the things that afternoon. I may get them tomorrow. Hattie Raynolds and I were out the other day and we managed to find our way into a yellow barn right near here where we could get weighed. I weighed 99 lbs., which is 4 more than I have weighhed all summer at home, or, indeed ever. 95 was my weight the day all my classmates were down to see me. We were all weighed in the Mill. Yesterday Miss Morrill and I went out to walk. Went into the orchard to find some apples to eat. The girls can all help themselves. But the apples are the littlest specks of things, and hard and dry. Once in a great while you can find a decent one. I wouldn't eat them at home, or, indeed anywhere else, and I don't exactly know why I do here. It isn't because I don't have fruit, for I have grapes at the table, all I want, every day. But we don't have many apples. But I'd much rather have grapes than apples. I suppose the charm
lies in the fact that it's altogether novel to go out under the trees and have to make a thorough search to get good ones, and also to the fact that I haven't any apple-barrell to go to and find full of great nice apples. Yet I don't care for apples enough to purchase them. [Cora] and Daisy were out in a boat yesterday when we came from the orchard to walk around the lake, and took us out in the boat too. Tonight I have been up to [Cora's] room, and to the Library to read up on Volcanoes for Monday's Physical Geography, and I have been writing home. For a day or so I have been looking over a book entitled "The American Girl and her Four Years in a Boy's College." There are a great many nice things in it, and I am going to read it carefully. In the last part, however, the College part is almost swallowed up in the love story.
Saturday, Oct. 5th 1878
Small Number of Pupils.
There has been a great stir and hubbub
here all the morning. Folks are moving. Hattie has moved into the next room to where she was. Miss Morrill has moved next room to us with Miss [M-] Fadden. Everybody has moved out of the 1st North Corridor, a great number coming onto our corridor. The College is very small this year. Some of the classes [above] have left on account of sickness. A great many from the South have not come this year. Then it is hard times. The Freshman class only numbers about 20, but I know lots that are part Freshman and are intendting to be Sophomores next year.
I wrote to the home folks last night and today to Mr. [Pulsifer]. Miss Kimball and Harry.
[Cora], Daisy, Abbie, and Gorgie went off of the grounds after cat-o'-nine tails ("cat-tails" Daisy calls them), and they brought some for our parlor and some [clematis].
There is a queer somebody that has conducted the Chapel services for two nights. I don't know whether or not he's a teacher.
I wonder if he will conduct tomorrow's services.
Monday, Oct 7th 1878.
Bible Class - Box from Home.
Yesterday Morning just after Silent Time the Bible classes recited. Our lesson was Luke XIII.22,30. Miss Avery is our teacher. She believed that none would be cast out and that the same feeling that made the weeping and gnashing of teeth, casused them to feel themselves thrust out. She believed that if anyone truly desired to come they could. She didn't ask me any questions, and my faith is in no respect altered. After Bible class, Miss Nickerson and I went to walk. Miss Nickerson came in here and we had some little discussion on religious subjects - the Bible, Darwin, etc. Miss Nickerson belives Genesis nothing more less than a mythology. I believe ditto as to that.
After that there was a service. A great many went to Poughkeepsie to church. They are at libarty to do so once in a certain
time. I don't know how long. Prof. Backus preached. I liked the sermon very well. After lunch [Cora] and I went out for a walk. It sprinkled all the while I was gone. I felt sick to my stomach after I came in and laid on my bed and read Lord Lytton's "Coming Race" all the afternoon. Ate a light supper and felt better. Today had a letter from Belle. Just charactersitic of her, the dear girl. Today expected a stuffed chair and some other things from home. Abbie, [Cora], Daisy, Gorgie and I went out to walk. Hunted for chestnuts. I got one, the rest more. Found an apple tree with quite large, soft apples, but sour. Brought home my pockets full. On entering behold! and rejoice! my chair had come. There it was, large as life, and oh! a perfect luxury for Vassar. Two other bundles. They had all come together in a sort of crate and had created quite a sensation. The janitor had gotten them out for me. I unpacked my bundles. Just what I had sent for. Clothing, water-proof, comforter, pictures, etc. Hallelujah! How I flew round. Between
dinner and chapel I invited Misses Nagai and Yamakawa to come in and partake of my apples. The Lady Principal conducted chapel exercises tonight. As Jessie and I sat at Algebra, differentiating, this evening, study hours, there was a fumbling and a knock at our door. "Come." But instead we heard Gorgie's door shut. She had poked a note beneath the door, as it is against rules to go to each other's rooms in study hours, asking me to come over about Livy after 8, the end of study hours. I poked my acceptance under her door, and at 8, went. Miss Peck was in, and Daisy a minute. Miss Peck and Jessie are comical and always joking each other. Miss Peck brought Jessie into Gorgie's room in her arms and was scolding her because she didn't eat more. After it Jessie went and hung a comic pen drawing representing her on her door. Well, its nearly bed time and I must close.
Tuesday, Oct 8th 1878
A New Parlor-Mate.
Today, as I sat here with Gorgie, there was a knock. "Come." And two young ladies entered. One, Miss Irving, was to have our inner single room. She has moved in. She seems quite nice. I guess she is [Prep.] entirely.
Tonight Gorgie and I called on the Japs for about 15 min. I have begun to study Ancient History by myself. I want to get full Fresh. as soon as possible. Miss Miller, our former corridor-teacher has gone to the 4th floor. Miss Hubbard is now our corridor-teacher. Had a letter from mother today.
Wednesday, Oct. 9th '78
Summoned to the Lady Principal.
Today Hattie Reynolds came in before study hour was out. That's against rules; but rules don't seem to be very severe in that respect. While she was here one of the messenger girls came to say that the Lady Principal wished to see me between 12 and 12.30 at her office. I couldn't imagine what was
up, but travelled up there as desired. It was on account of the quarter of an hour's exercise I didn't take one rainy day. I ought to have gone to Dr. Webster to get exercised. But she (or rather her ass't. She was not there) exercised me that time. My first summons to the Lady Principal.
Today has been rather half-cloudy. It sprinkled a little while we girls ([Cora], Daisy, Abbie, Jessie, Gorgie, and I) were out for our exercise, picking up chestnuts under the tree. I found 10 and felt quite proud of my treasures. Well, I must go to bed. By the way, Jessie and I were up for about 5 min. in the Japs' room. Miss Nagai was not in. I got my album. They have both written in it.
Thursday, Oct 10th 1878.
Cider.
Today Abbie got permission of the Lady Principal for [Viva], Cora, and herself, Gorgie, Jessie, and I to go to a cider-mill some ways from here. We started after our day's lessons were over. Abbie
took a pail that she got from one of the College servants. Gorgie and Jessie took their water-pitchers, nicely cleansed. But there were so crackled that they looked dirty. I took my silver mug to drink out of. Gorgie took a bag to put apples in if we found any stray ones. We didn't fill it, though some of the girls got 2 or 3. We found the cider-mill with little difficulty, and having reached it, stood like fools gazing upon the men there, and never uttered a word for several minutes. At last, however, we plucked up courage, or rather came to our senses, and asked about the cider. We bought a gallon for 15 cents. The cider-mill was back of a house, and we stopped by the road front of the house and drank cider all around. Then the procession moved. Everybody on the road to and from seemed very much pleased at something, and all knew who we were, of course, and where we'd been. We were rather tired
before we reached home; but Gorgie, Jessie, and Cora stopped under the chestnut tree, and also to buy candy and peanuts of the man that stands in the road between the College and Lake with a bucket of such things to sell. We had a good time out of it and got back just a few minutes before dinner. The cider was new and sweet, but tasted a little of the barrell. Altogether it was very good.
I was summoned to Miss Morse today. She wanted to talk to me about my lessons. She game me permission to study my Ancient History by myself. I had been doing so and it was against the rules, but I didn't know it.
I have to have a composition the last Saturday of this month about what I have done in essay writing. It is to be in the form of a letter. I am glad that we are to begin essay writing.
Saturday Oct. 12th 78.
Chestnuts.
This morning we girls, all but Gorgie who had to go up town this afternoon and couldn't spend too much time, went "chestnutting." The other day we found lots of chestnuts, and we thought that by going early in the morning we might get quite a lot. We went to the chestnut-tree, but there were but few on the ground, there having been but little frost and no wind. But we found a few and knocked off a few. Then Prof. Backus' son and some more boys cane and began to climb and shake the trees. Cora and Jessie picked up 3 I believe (we were just going and it was as they passed along) and Prof. Backus' son says, "Won't you please leave those chestnuts alone." From there we went to the Glen and found a few. But altogether our chestnutting was a failure.
Today I have been to room J. (Student's Parlor) to see them dance. They dance
every night between dinner and Chapel. All the evening I have been up in Cora's room reading "Phillis" with her.
Sunday, Oct. 13th 1878.
An Unprofitable Sunday.
Cora and I have read "Phillis" nearly all day. It has turned into a hot love-story and I wish I had never begun it. But now I shall finish it. This evening I finished letters to Harry and Mother and wrote to Helen and [Al.] and to [Deb.] Nothing special has happened today. Cora and I walked up to Sunset Hill. A person from N.Y. City, an editor, preached today. Part of his sermon I liked. Part I didn't. Didn't learn anything in the Bible class. Indeed, have read all day and that's all it amounted to. So now I'll go to bed and see if I can't spend my next Sunday more profitably.
Wednesday, Oct. 16th '78
Bowling Alley and Caramels.
Today when we went to talk we went
into the Bowling Alley for a part of our exercise. I was in there, just to look around a minute, the other day and that was the first time I was ever in one. I think it is nice fun. I knocked down 8 pins. The Alley is not in the main College building, but in the same one that the Gymnasium and Museum, etc. is in.
Miss Irving was telling us the other day that the girls got chocolate and vanilla caramels, splendid ones, of the college store, by going round between the College and Laundry and hailing a servant and asking her to get them. I wanted some (I have not spent but 10 cents for edibles of any kind since I came), so yesterday when Gorgie and I went to walk we hung round there in vain. No servant was visible. So we gave it up. Today Miss Irving and I tried with no better success. But she promised to go again when she went to walk and that time was successful.
They were splendid.
I don't know whether or not its against the rules to get them so. I didn't know the College store kept anything of that sort before. It says in the Students Manual, our code of laws, that if we wish to purchase of the College store, we must enclose in a written order money to purchase and give it to the Corridor teacher at breakfast, who, if she approves the purchase, will forward the order. "Direct traffic is forbidden except to Seniors." But surely that's not direct traffic.
Thursday, Oct. 17th 1878.
Chestnutting Again.
Today there has been a high wind all day long. We girls went to the chestnut tree for our walk. Miss Peck was there, down the bank almost into the mud, grubbing away for chestnuts. She got a hundred or more. When we came, she went in and left the place for us. I got 45, and I guess the other girls got as many, if
not more. It must have been fun to have seen us girls grubbing away among the briars and bushes, our sticks in our hands to poke up the dead leaves, our hats off and hair flying. "If we had to do this we'd think it awful," said Abbie. Just [as] Jessie wished she had gone. She scarcely ever goes with us, because her foot hurts her and she takes only half an hour's exercise.
Saturday, Oct. 19th 1878.
Almost homesick - Waxing Leaves.
Yesterday it rained all day long. Also all night; and today has been a dull dreary sort of a day. We girls went chestnutting. I got about 100, Gorgie 130, Cora 80. Abbie and Daisy got disgusted and left us. Most of them we got in the ploughed ground. When we got to our old stand-by of a tree, they had nearly all been picked up. Today has come the nearest to my being homesick. I have felt out of sorts all the afternoon and might me [sic] homesick if I wanted to, as easily as not. Today when we girls
were out we picked some lovely autumn leaves - pink and blue. I never saw any like them before. I wanted to wax them on the branch. So I succeeded in getting some wax from Miss Irving, and Miss McFadden borrowed a gas-iron for me. I waxed my leaves, but fear that most of them will turn brown. The pretty pink and blue ones are rather too pulpy to wax well.
Thursday, Oct. 24th 1878
Peppered Rolls and Table Fun
This morning we had graham rolls for breakfast. Miss Miller, who presides at our table came in late, as she often does. So Misses [Wygant] and [Hulbeet] in a moment of fun, carefully placed two rolls beneath the castor, the standard of which is hollow, intending to have them for lunch instead of common bread. Lunch time came, behold the young ladies on hand for their rolls. But woe unto them! Someone had discovered their hidden store and carefully peppered their two treasures. Oh,
it was a good joke. There was much meditation as to who the perpetrator of the deed could be; but we did not discover her. Lunch today, indeed was a trying time for Miss Hygant. Besides being disappointed in regard to her roll, they allowed us no forks to eat our sliced [beet], and she was compelled to use her spoon. We often have quite jolly times at table, especially when Miss Miller is late and at lunch, when there is no teacher at any of the tables. And Miss [Loder], who sits next me is always doing things that make me laugh, especially if I glance up across the table at Miss Wygant. Soemtimes Miss Loder gets 3 or 4 glasses of water by her plate, or tries to pass them to me when everybody at our end of the table is supplied. Then one day she calmly set two dishes of succotash by her plate and didn't notice it till Lily Peck spoke of it. One day she passed me the bread. Now there is a plate of bread at our end of the table,
and she didn't think of that till just as I reached out my hand to take a slice of what she was passing, when it suddenly occurred to her and she snatched the plate away as quickly, saying, "Oh, you have some there;" and turned to talk with Miss Darling. I caught Grace Hygant's eye and we had all we could do to keep on a straight face. Lily Peck sometimes creates a sensation, too. She is very funny. One noon she made a face of an oyster cracker at table. And Grace Hygant and Hattie Hubbert are always disagreeing as to who shall wait, when there's not enough of anything in the first dish. They are the last ones helped. And oh, what funny times it makes. We sit at the 4th table down the center. The seniors occupy the first three. Gorgie sits at the next table, which has a funny servant. Some days when there's only 1 or 2 left at table she will begin to clear it away. One day the girls sat a long time just to plague her, and sent
her out after the gingersnaps again, when she carried them away. She brought more and says "It's all there is."
But most of the girls are very obliging. But I must close now.
Tuesday, Oct. 29th 1878.
Sad Separations.
Lots of the seats were changed at table tonight. Jessie, Ella Irving and I go to Miss Parmer's table, where Cora and those girls are. That would be nice, but I don't like very well those opposite me at table. We had a lingering parting at our table at lunch, and I bade Hattie Hubbert and Grace Hygant a sad farewell. But the unkindest separation of all was that from dear Loder. How fondly I remember her remarks so volatile, Mr. Copperfield! last Sunday. "Miss [Southworth], please pass the staff of life," and "Grace, this is fearfully and wonderfully made," are the only specimens of her bright and shining wit. Alas! that no more I shall hear it.
It was announced at dinner that a gold
watch had been lost on the grounds.
Wednesday, Oct 30th '78
Drawing Lessons.
Have drawning lessons now every Wednesday. It rained last Wednesday and today; but cleared off today before the lesson. We have to go to the Lyceum, which is in the same building that the Gym is in. We draw from objects. A cube is what we are now drawing. Have had it in the two different positions. I did a great deal better on the second that [sic] the first and feel quite elated. Our drawing master is a German and talks quite queerly. But I like him. He says very funny things. Last week he was trying to make us understand something and he said. "Is there anyone that don't understand that? If there is I will make them understand it. In a gentle way of course." His name is [San] Ingen. I had a letter from Helen and Alice toady, a nice long letter.
Thursday, Oct. 31st 1878
Hallow E'en.
Tonight as we came out of chapel there was a little extra stir and bustle. And I heard someone say Hallow e'en. There I knew what it was. They say that there is more cutting up Hallow e'en than any other night in the year; everybody is up to something and every teacher is on the watch. Tonight the seniors have a time. Gorgie came to me with the singular request to borrow my red flannel petticoat. For the Seniors. Just after
Friday Nov. 1st 1878
I will begin right when I left off about Hallow e'en. Just after Study Hours, Ella and I sat alone here and we heard a great tramping in the corridor. We rushed out. Behold a motley array of beings, rushing down the stairs and out of the door. All had on as much red as possible, and I recognized one clad in my red skirt and Gorgie's red
sack. It was Ella Moore, one of the smartest Seniors. Well, after they had all gone, we went back to our room and were dying for something exciting to do, and wondering what the Seniors were up to. Jessie came in. We burst two paper bags in the corridor and exhausted all our hopes of excitement. Miss Levick came in. She and some others were going to stay down in room 13 all night and have fun. It is against rules to stay all night in any room but your own; but some girls do stay our quite often. There was an air of mistery [sic] and fun all over the College. Miss Levick brought us two bags, but they would not blow up good. Jessie pasted up two beautiful ones with [mucilage]. Just after the bell for Silent Time struck the Seniors came trooping in and paraded all around the first, second, and third corridors south. We waited till the fun seemed to be over and came in. Sometime after the lights in corridor were out we burst one bag. Then an-
-other. It could be heard all over the corridor, like a shot. Miss Hubbard, our corridor teacher kept her light burning all night. Levick said if it hadn't been for that, she would have come down and pelted Ella with chestnuts over her window. I suspect there were many tricks played and things done that no one but those concerned knew about.
I went to walk with Miss Nagai today. She said that some of them make molasses candy over a gas stove. They had permission.
Had letter from Mother, Harry, and Miss Clifton today.
Sunday Oct. 3rd 1878.
Greek.
I have got lots to say, and first of all I will tell about my Greek. The first time I was summoned to Miss Morse, she said something about my not being up to the Fresh. class in Greek. I knew that I had passed my Greek, and that I had Pres. Raymond's certificate for it, so I sent home
for it. When it came, I took it to Miss Morse. She said that she would look up the mistake. In a few days more she summoned me and told me thtat I had passed my Greek, and so dismissed me from Phys. Geog and let me go into Herodotus. It is what is called Senior Greek. Prof. Hinkle teaches it. He is a German. At first I couldn't understand half he said, but can do better now. Miss Gross and I, [Preps], Miss Abbott, a Special, and one other is in it besides some of the Seniors. Prof. Hinkle talks most all the time during the recitation. Nevertheless one can't get a perfect lesson to him, any more than to Miss Goodwin. Now I will tell about
Chapter Alpha.
The [Philalethian] is the Collegiate literary society. It is divided into Chapters. Chapter Alpha is the first one that has had an entertainment. I rec'd an invitation by the luckiest chance. Ella Moore invited Gorgie Morrill. I was in there when
Miss Moore came for Gorgie and she said there was an extra invitation that I could use. So I went is high glee, although I almost felt as if I ought to stay at home and write on my composition. The entertainment was real nice. They had a poem and a story and a play, "My Uncle's Will," and two songs and a class in fanning. The last was best. The girls were all dressed in pretty evening costumes and had bright colored fans in their hands and small fans on their heads. The teacher represent a French gentleman, and in manners and accent, did her part to perfection.
Last night the
Exoterie
had one of their entertainments. The Exoterie is the Prep. Literary society. It has entertainments once a fortnight. I never went to one before. The two nicest things were "Essence of Opera", and a Tableau. In the former Miss Parry as
a lady and Miss [Rollinson] as a gentle man took the principal parts. There was an Opera box rigged up, and two ladies in it, who threw Miss Parry a ridiculous bouquet. They did their parts beautifully and took on exactly as they do at Operas, so those who have been to Operas, say. It was very cute.
The tableau was 4 pictures. Just the frames with girls heads behind. The girls looked beautifully and looked just like picutres. I enjoyed it very much. Yesterday Ella, Jessie, and I went over to the
Old Grave-Yard.
It is on the College grounds but is out of limits. That is, we oughtn't to go there without permission. But we didn't know it. Gorgie and I payed it a flying visit one day. Yesterday we wanted to copy down the curious epitaphs. As we had no paper, I wrote them on my white skirt. I think I will here record them. The one most worthy of note is the fol-
-lowing: "In memory of John A Low, who died Apr. 16, 1828, aged 48 yrs. 10da. "Remember me as you pass by; As you are now, so once was I; As I am now so will you be; Prepare for death and follow me." Beneath can be faintly discerned pencil writing, which we with difficulty made out to be the following: "To follow you I am not content, Until I know which way you went." Grace Hygant said that, when that was written, one of the Profs. discovered it, and the young ladies were rebuked in chapel and the one who did it advised to go with a wet sponge and efface it. Accordingly she went with a sponge, but did not entirely efface it, it seems. The others were not so remarkable; but I copy down all that have epitaphs. "In Memory of Michael Palmer, who died Dec. 9. 1809, aged 50 yrs. 8 mos." The epitaph as from the Bible, Timothy 4 chapter, 15 verse. Another was John Albert, son of Albert
and Jane Gregory of [Warwaling], Ulster Co. Died Feb 14, 1846, aged 16 yrs, 3 mos. 12 da. "So fades the lovely, blooming flower, Frail, smiling solace of an hour. So soon our transient comforts fly, And pleasures only bloom to die." Another, "Died 14 1828. John Jacob, son of John A. Low, aged 2 yrs. Weep not o'er the [tones] of infancy Flowers of sweetest bloom must pass away" That's what I thought ought to be put on my stone. Jessie was going to engrave it for me.
"In Memory of Jane L. Gregory, who died Feb. 5. 1824, aged 44 yrs. 'In the midst of life we are in death'" "In Memory of Eunice Low, who died Nov. 16. 1842, aged 59 yrs. 9 mos. 9 da. Weep not for me."
The grave yard is a curious place, not much larger than this room, containing 2 or 3 apple-trees and over-grown with briars. Some of the stones are [overthrown] or out of place. When we left the grave-yard and we went
to one of the farm houses a little beyond, for some water. Not because we wanted any, but because Ella and Jessie had a curious desire to see. They were cleaning house, and had lots of stuff out of doors; but handed us a pitcher and glass for water out of a crack in the door. It didn't look nice, so we made believe drink and Ella stood behind us and poured part of the water out.
My Composition.
I ought to have had a composition a week ago last Sat.; but I misunderstood Miss [Hoode], our teacher, and thought she wanted us to write about "What I have done in Essay Writing." Finding myself mistaken after I had the first draft all done, I went to her. She told me to write a short business letter to her on that subject, and write a composition on something. I'd seen or heard or read or done and hand it in a week later. Now, I've never seen anything I could write nicely about. I've never
done anything that I could write nicely about. I never read anything that I could write nicely about, except our "Mutual Friend." I began on that. A hopeless task!
What should I do I never had such a time writing a composition before. In chapel, last Sunday night, I glared the sunject in the face. At last, almost in despair, I came to a grim resolution. To write out a thing that had really happened to some of my relations. I had written it before, in connection with some other things, for a composition. But that copy of it was at home, so I wrote it all out, in a much more extended form. I hope she will like it. I handed it in the last thing last night. I had to hurry to finish it on account of the [Exoteric] and the Phil. (Short for Philalethian).
Firday, Nov. 8th 1878.
Miscellaneous.
I haven't written any for quite a while
and I have quite a lot to say if I can think of it all. We had the first snow storm of the year last Wed. the 27th. Miss [Varnes] truly remarked that the fates were against our learning to draw; for we have taken lessons only three weeks, and the first two it rained and this week it snowed. Notwithstanding the adversity of the fates, we have made considerable progress. I can make quite a cube, and next week we begin on curved lines. We have to draw everything from "nature". The lake is being drained. I walked half-way around it Wednesday after the storm cleared away, and there was only a small pond in the very deepest part and a few little brooks running in the bed. The bottom is very dirty, and looks muddy, and I am glad it is to be cleared out. The weather has become real cold and winter sacks and mittens are coming out. My hands are chapping and they never did before. [I] [lie] very hateful. We girls have great times about air. I will keep the windows of the parlor down a little
at the top all the time and give the parlor a regular airing-out while we are to breakfast. But Ella and Jessie would starve for air. Have had two or three letters from home this week. Mother sends money in every letter, either bills or [scrip]. The "Vassar Miscellany" has come. Its first number was published in Nov., because they made some alterations in its form, size, etc. It is published once a month in the form of a magazine and is real nice. It costs $1.50 per year. I have come upon an old friend. His name is "Office Pencil." Now "Pencil" is my hobby. I want one not too hard, and not too soft, and not too large, and not too small, etc. I had some time ago decided upon "Office Pencil" as the best of the whole family of Pencils. But alas! I lost all traces of my beloved "Office Pencil" and could find him no more, although I inquired after him of every [drimmer] who had any acquaintance with the "pencil family." So I was compelled to make the acquaintance of other
"Pencils," but I had never found one that could equal "Office". But the other day in Greek class, I happened to glance at Miss Merrick, as she was writing, and I saw something that looked strangely familiar. In looking closer I beheld "Office Pencil." Oh, their [sic] did I rejoice, and such to the Office in the College, and there found that "Office Pencil" could be at any time obtained. Such is the thrilling tale.
Tonight after Chapel, Miss [Turner], Miss Wheeler, and I went into Gorgie's to study Livy. We stayed about an hour and didn't translate a word of Livy. We got to talking about Wellesley and Vassar and their [sic] about ourselves, our folks, our circumstance and all feel the need of being economical. But I guess I am rather best off of them all. For Miss Wheeler and Miss Turner may not be able to come more than a year. Gorgie can come as long as her father has a parish, probably. But she feels as if her sister [Lulie] has more of a right to go than she, for she is a
better scholar. And she feels as if they were making sacrifices for her at home. But I think that nothing can happen to keep me from my course here. I am sure I am very, very fortunate.
But I think a little space here is due to an account of our
First Spread.
Not a very wonderful affair, indeed. Merely a little social time between our parlor, Gorgie and the Japs. You Jessie thought it would be nice to get some Apples and have them to eat in the evening among a few. So she bought [these] at Flegner's farm-house and borrowed some plates. Then she bought some pea-nuts of the candy-man and arranged them very prettily on a box-cover, covered with a napkin. Among the parlor and Gorgie, we made out enough napkins and knives. The Japs came at 8.15 P.M. Gorgie, as soon as she got [threw] practicing and we ate apples and peanuts all the evening. Toward nine o'clock, Gorgie went
home and brought in some ginger-bread and sugar-cakes she had sent from home in a box with other things. We all had a pleasant time chatting, until the bell for Silent Time struck. Miss [Stematz] told us a comical experience about breaking Silent Time and the lecture it called forth from Miss Hackell, their Corridor teacher. Miss Hackell is real strict. Miss Hubbard isn't. We have btter times and make at least as much noise during Silent Time than any other portion of the day. Well, I must close now. It is almost Silent Time.
Tuesday, Nov. 12th 1878.
Gym Suits.
Yesterday Jessie, Misses Nagai and Yamakawa and I went to walk together and went to Mrs. Wheeler's to see about Gym suits. We were consulted about them last week; but I wanted to write home first about it. The best ones cost $0.50. Mother says it isn't cheap; but not very high; and I had better have mine made here, and
it would be right. Mine is to be gray with a darker gray trimming. They are uniforms, but differently trimmed. The skirts are quite full and the waists sailor with sailor collar. If I wear this out I shall have another made prettier at home. These are homely. The girls wear them from morning till right after exercise and then change them for dinner.
Sunset Hill in a Cloudy Day.
Today I started out to walk alone and went up Sunset Hill. There I came back to the College and met Miss Yamakawa and we went up together. The day had been dark and cloudy; but the scene was beautiful. Sunset Hill lies to the south-east of the College Buildings and is ascended by pretty gravelled paths. I went up on the north side and paused to look at the scenery. The College lay clustered among the evergreens, the only things looking like life. An undulating country was streting away on all sides, dotted here and there with houses and clusters of trees
with bare branches on with foliage of a dull red. The hills, enclosing the whole were of a deep, deep purple hue, while in one place were dimly seen the out-line of light blue hills, far away. The sky was lovely, and I believe sky scenery is my favorite. The clouds were in piles on layers one above another and were of all shades of blue and drab, the colors blending most harmoniously and fading into one another. On the south side of the hill the stretch of country is not so extensive, but no less picturesque. I particularly noted one strip of land that was of a bright emerald green, in strong contrast to the faded brown of the rest of the scene. The hills enclosing the scene on this side were of a dark indigo blue and very beautiful. Here the sky showed patches of blue beneath the fleecy white clouds, and the whole was dotted with small clouds of a particular reddish purple hue. The whole was charming; but its chief beauty today consisted on the rich tints of the hills and clouds. Before Miss [Stematz] and I came in the whole western sky was
ablaze with golden light, as if a great fire was burning behind the clouds.
Friday, Nov. 15th 1878
Pass-ery.
I had to go to the Dr. and to Miss Woods yesterday between dinner and Chapel. Miss Woods criticized my composition. Said it was very nice, that the two scenes were very well carried out, etc.; but that I was rather long in getting to the main thing, and that my description was too much like the old style of writing, and was not sprightly, as I would talk.
There are three Gym classes, the strong, middle and weak. Dr. Webster asked in which she had better put me. I said the strong. She thought I did not look hardly strong enough for it, but let me go into it if I would promise to tell her if it was too hard for me.
I must tell a good thing that happened about [Pass.] Miss E.J. Wheeler and Miss Turner decided to go down town together this
afternoon and to go and hurry right back, They hadn't told any one that they were going; but Kitty Angel, Miss Wheeler's roommate, overheard them say they were going. Not long after, [Pass] came into their parlor and wanted to know if any of them were going down town. All said no, but Kitty thoughtlessly said Miss Wheeler was. Then Miss W. came in, and Miss Pass asked her if she might go with her. Now, probably Pass only wanted to have some one show the way around, and the girls were to be in a hurry, and Pass isn't a universal favorite. So Miss W. said she wasn't going. Sat. but Fri. "Well," said Miss P. "I can go just as well Fri., and Sat. Can I go with now?" "I have nothing to do about it," said Miss W. "Miss Turner invited me to go with her, and I have no right to invite one." "Well," persisted Pass, "If I ask Miss Turner if I may go, may I?" Of course Miss W. could only say "yes".
The only way to get rid of her was for Miss Turner to avoid her, so she would not have a chance to ask her. When I
went, as usual, into Miss Turner's room the first period after lunch to read Livy, they were busy talking about it. They arranged for Misses T. and W. to "scoot" into the bedrooms if there was a knock. They "scooted" twice, once for Miss Morrill and once for Miss Yamakawa, whom we expected, as being members of our Livy club. Then they decided to put an "Engaged" on the door, thinking that of course no one would knock after viewing that. But we were just nicely to work when we heard a knock. The girls run [sic] and Miss Howe opened the door. Of course 'twas Pass. No one else would be so rude. There was great deal of indignation among the Livy club, and all thought that she ought to be instructed in College etiquette. Miss Turner and Pass are in the same Latin class, so as soon as it was out, Miss Turner [scud]. So far she had evaded her persecutor. Miss Howe said she deserved to be accompanied by some one she didn't like if she couldn't keep out of her way for 1-1/2 days. After Chapel Miss Turner
waited at night after Chapel till she thought Miss P. would be in her room. But, alas! Just as she was about to enter her room Miss P. came out. Miss T. turned a run upstairs. Pass followed, caught her, exclaimed "You're just the person I want to see." Miss T. was very cool and I guess Pass suspected something. Anyway they both went in the same car; but they didn't speak or go together. It was too rich for anything. Miss Howe's parting advice to Miss T. when she thought perhaps Pass would go with her was to "squelch." But Pass was pronounced un-squelchable.
Miss Wheeler said Pass invited her to go with her to walk Tuesdays. Miss W. told her that she was going to take her Tuesday's walk mornings after that. "Oh" said Pass, "I can take my walk mornings just as well, and I think it's better."
Chapter Beta is having a spree tonight. Jessie is having her teeth straightened and goes down town every Wed. and Sat.
Tuesday, Nov. 19th 1878.
Mrs. Ray's Party for the Preps.
Last week all the Preps. rec'd cards from Mrs. Ray inviting us to spend Sat. eve with her from 7 to 9. Jessie and Ella didn't go, and I went with Miss E.J. Wheeler. Mrs. Ray rec'd us all and talked with us and we all talked to each other if we could think of anything to say. I floated around for a while and finally settled down in a corner (on my knees, as I could find no chair) with Misses Yamakawa, Sharp, Buckalnd, Nickerson, Howe and Turner. We had quite a nice time. For refreshments there were cake, coffee, and ice cream. The cake was Mrs. Ray's birthday cake, a very large white cake, beautifully frosted. The ice cream was of many flavors and looked beautifully laid in stripes of pink, yellow and brown. We didn't get home till the lights-out bell struck, 10 min. of 10. Mrs. Rays birthday was last Wed. Pres. Caldwells was the same day also. He was 58, she 38. Cora has not been very well and
Jessie is not feeling well tonight and Ella was quite sick this morning and I am not feeling particularly smart. A bright feeling set of girls.
It rained all day Sunday and I wrote letters. Had a letter from Harry this week. Today I was provoked. Gorgie Morrill and I walk together lately. Today she walked with Miss [Moan]. So I invited Miss E.J. Wheeler to go with me. She forgot it was Tuesday and she was going with Miss Pass. But as we were starting out we met Pass. So of course we three went together and talked "horse" all the hour.
Wednesday Nov. 20th 1878.
Boundary of my World.
Last night in Chapel lots of names were read off of girls admitted to the Freshman class. Viva, Misses Warren and Yamakawa were admitted. Tonight the seats were changed in chapel. Everyone is put in alphabetical order. I have an outside corner seat now.
This morning as Jessie and I were going to break-
fast, she said; "There was a fire last night."
"Was there, where?" I ask, interested and wondering for my thoughts are not outside the College Grounds.
"on Sunset Hill," was what I thought she replied.
"On Sunset Hill?" For how could that be; there is nothing there but trees.
"Beyond Sunset Hill."
"Oh," and my interest subsides, and I ask no more questions.
This little conversation first showed me how small my world has become since I came here. I think of nothing outside and am interested in nothing outside. I have no desire to go beyond the red fence except it be to the old Graveyard or something of the sort, which I almost feel as if ought to be on the College Grounds. I could scarcely be persuaded to go to Po'keepsie for the town. I take no interest in the affairs of the world at present. I am just enough interested to be glad that Butler isn't elected Governor in Mass. and that Harriet Hosmer is making wonderful
scientific discoverier. But, after all, its a sort of a negative or [passive] glances. I take an interest in the [news] they write from home, but really it don't amount to much to me. Whether it's as it ought to be or not, I don't know. But I am contented here, and I am learning, and I am laying up in my mind knowledge and and [sic] am deciding on principles and precepts that shall be useful to me when I bid goodbye to Vassar and go out into the world that for four years is to remain almost dead to me.
Thursday, Nov. 21st 1878.
H. Y. Hunter
The other night Ella wanted to send a subscription to the business editor of the "College Herald" published where she used to go to school. She knew his name was Hunter hut did not know his initials. So she thought she would address it to J.H. Hunter. "Perhaps his name's John Henry" said Jessie. "H.Y. stands for unknown [quantier]," said I. So she said she would address it so, and I
made the H and Jessie the Y, and Ella wrote the rest and put on all his long address. When her "College Herald" came she saw his initials were W.J. She was going to write to the girls that she knows there and tell them about it.
Sunday, Dec. 8th '78.
Conditions off.
It is a long time since I've written in this, but it has not been because I've had nothing to say. On the contrary I've very great deal to say. Now the first and most important is about my conditions. Three weeks ago several of the girls had been admitted to the Freshman class. And Miss Howe had just been examined in Phys. Geog. and had passed on an easy examination. Sat. the 23rd of November I was siezed with a desire to get off my conditions. I took my Phys. Geog. and said I shouldn't leave it as long as I had a spare moment. I told Miss Howe, that, inspired by her noble example I had taken to my Physical. I didn't expect to make it up that day, but Gorgie
said I could. I studied steadily all day, only leaving for lunch and exercise. I saw Miss Hackell, and she said I might come to her immediately after dinner. She said she thought I wouldn't need to see Miss Morse about it first, as Miss Morse had said to her that I would probably soon be ready for examination. So after dinner I went to her room. I was examined and passed. Miss Moore called me Monday, and told me that I'd better go to Miss Brown, the teacher of history, and have her direct my work, that I might use my time to the best possible advantage. She told me to go to Miss B. Tuesday night. I studied hard all Monday and Tuesday, and, when I went to Miss B., was examined and paired my Greek and Eastern History. Then I put my mind to my Roman. Miss B gave me a list of dates that I might learn only the most important ones. Saturday morning I was examined and passed on my Roman History. So I was full Freshman, yet was not yet announced. I expected to be announced Tuesday, but I was not. I don't know what the matter was.
Tomorrow I will go to Miss Morse and see why. I'll not be really Freshman till I'm announced. But I'm so glad to get my conditions off. Miss Brown has a sister prepared for Freshman. She was examined at the same time I was in Boston. I have lots more to say, but I guess I will write no more now.
Monday, Dec. 9th 1878
Freshman.
Freshman! Yes, I was announced tonight in Chapel. Oh, I am so glad to get it off my mind. Miss Phillips was also announced in Chapel. I went to Miss Morse today at her office hours, and she told me that I was Fresh. and would be admitted tonight. I suppose now I'll go to class Meetings and have some class paper and go over to the other side of the Chapel and go into Mrs. Ray's Bible Class and join Phil. and all sorts of things. ["Quid agamus."] I suppose it is to be my motto henceforth. I hope our '78 will show folks what we can do and that it will be nothing useless
Traveling List.
Tonight we made out our travelling lists. Blanks were distributed in corridor meeting. 'On what train do you leave Poughkeepsie?' 'What is your destination' 'Describe definitely your route and state on what railroads you will travel.' 'Do you wish the College conveyance?' (Horsecar) 'Do you wish the College to take your baggage to the depot? If so, what and how many pieces?' 'What is your name and the number of your room?' The College checks the baggage and buys the tickets. But I shan't take any baggage and shall go on the boat if the weather is pleasant; if not, on the cars.
New Students.
There are 4 new students since Christmas. All Preps. It seems a funny time to come. Miss Anna Van Allyn sit [sic] at our table. She seems quite nice and is pretty. Is very homesick. Miss Ryder is another. She seems nice too.
Tuesday, Dec. 10th '78.
Class Meeting
A meeting of the Freshman Class was called immediately after dinner. Miss Baldwin is Pres.; Miss [Starr], Vice-Pres.; Miss Case, treasurer; Miss Smith, secretary. The class paper is lovely. It is 60 [cts.] a quire. Tonight I took my seat on the south side of the Chapel between Misses Smith (not the Sec.) and Stanton. There are 33 in our class, and more to come. There was only about 20 at the beginning of the year.
Sunday, Dec. 15th 1878.
Going Home.
Next Thursday I start for home. Oh, its perfectly glorious. I can't think of anything else. I'm all of a bustle with the thought. Yesterday men came out with checks and tickets. I bought my ticket to New York. Almost everybody is going, and those that are not going wish they were. But as it is so near vacation, I think I
ought to write something about the many things that have happened and are worthy of notice. First there's
Thanksgiving Day.
We had three day's vacation, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. In the morning there was a short service in the Chapel. There was no lunch, but things were placed on the table at breakfast in order that if we were hungry, we might have come to take to our rooms and eat. I brought something down, but did not eat anything. We went to dinner at 3 o'clock. Quite a large number of the girls were away, and those that remained had the privelege of making up their own tables. We did not make up any and were put at Miss Baldwin's. More of the teachers preside at the scholar's tables Thanksgiving. All the Prof.'s families come in, too. Dinner lasted about 1-1/2 h. There were printed bills of fare. I had one, and will copy it here.
Thanksgiving Dinner.
Vassar College.
Nov. 28, 1878
Bill of Fare.
Soup.
Chicken. Julienne.
Roast.
Turkey. Beef.
Cranberry Sauce. Apple Sauce.
Entrees.
Fried Oysters. Chicken Salad.
Relishes.
Chow-chow. Celery. Mixed Pickles.
Worcestshire Sauce. Olives.
Vegetables.
Baked Sweet Potatoes. Stewed Tomatoes.
Mashed Potatoes. [Grun] Pear.
Pastry.
Mince Pie. Pumpkin Pie.
Cranberry Tarts.
Dessert.
Vanilla and Chocolate Ice Cream.
Orange Ice.
Mixed Fancy Cake. Pound Cake. Chocolate Cake.
Nuts and Raisins. Apples. Orange and Grapes.
Coffee. Tea.
The Julienne and Roast Beef weren't brought on, but we might have had it if we had wanted it. We had the Orange Ice, Ice Cream, and Cake in the evening. After dinner there was dancing in Room J. and games were played in the recitation rooms, Rachel and Jacob, and Initiation. At 7 o'clock, every body started for the Lyceum, as there was to be a play there. It was splendid. The principal thing was a [sort] of a band. All the teachers took part. Misses Goodwin and [Hecock] played the Bells. Mrs. Ray, Glasses. Prof. [Barchive], Castanets. Mr. Caldwell the Pres. [sow)], [Torpedors]. It was all like that. When they first came in they were dressed in overcoats and fire and looked ever so pretty. Then there was a play, "The Parlor Car." The last thing was "Ching-a-ling-a-ling." Some one, not on the stage, sang the song, "Ching-a-ling-a-ling was a Chinese boy," and somebody came dancing in, who personated a Chinese very well indeed. Then the song went on, something about his going to San Francisco to see his sweet-heart, and a Chineese girl came in. Then Ching-a-ling laid
down to sleep under the shade of a huckleberry (an evergreen, on the stage) tree. And along came an Indian with a tomahawk and cut off his pig-tail. It was perfectly comical. They repeated it. After the entertainment, we returned to Room J. and had refreshments.
Sailor.
is Prof. Hinkle's dog. Oh, so homely. You would see him trotting around with Prof. or off on excursions alone. Especially comical did he look, when covered with a sort of a coat of drab linen which "flopped" around him in a most curious manner. But alas! Poor sailor was old and infirm. They concluded they must get rid of him. So he was shot. The Hinkle's were greif-stricken at his death. One day in Greek class, Prof. looked as if he'd been crying. No doubt on account of Sailor. And they all felt so badly for him that they couldn't go to the party that Prof. MItchell gave to the teacher. Well Sailor, peace be to your memory.
Various Cats and Dogs.
Vassar has the greatest number of cats around. There are pretty cats and homely cats. There is one half-blind cat, and one three footed cat. The cats with whom we are best acquanted are a large black cat and a gray and white cat. The black cat is a great favorite of Stematz's. She has often been in here and has made herself quite at home. The gray and white cat was here all one day last week, and we didn't know but she'd taken up her abode here. Over on the north corridor are a gray cat and two kittens, which belong to Miss Jones. The kittens are very pretty and nice, and have very noble titles, Julius Caesar and Tiberius Gracchus. Well, now for the dogs, I have related the sad story of Sailor, and now will mention the others. There is a large white dog with a black head here, that, for want of a better name, Jessie and I called Jack. Then there are two little dogs, a brown one and a black and tan one that belong to somebody in the College. They have both paid us visits, and seemed to consider our society very
agreeable. No one knows their names, so we called them both "Sammy" after our "beloved" president and his son. Brown Sammy followed me in an gave rise to the beautiful song,
"Anne had a little dog
Whose fleece was brown as dirt;
And everywhere that Anne went,
He tagged close to her skirt."
It is not often we indulge ourselves by composing such high [soulded] strains; but this shows our power.
Black Sammy created quite a sensation last night in Chapel. The poor fellow wanted to see what religion was like, I suppose. And with a desire to see if everybody was devout, he travelled under the pews over the Chapel. When they sung the hymn, Black Sammy wanted to sing, too, but everybody laughed at him, even the teachers and Mrs. Ray, whom one would think had politeness enough to restrain herself from hurting poor doggie's feeling. Prof. Dwight tried to catch Black Sammy, and after the second attempt suc-
-ceeded in catching him. Black Sammy entered a despairing cry as he was borne in triumph out of the Chapel. He came down to Gorgie's and to our rooms, and having received consolation for the rude treatment he had receceived, he determined to try again and go to the Concert which was to be held that evening in Chapel. But alas! This last attempt was more unsuccessful than the first and he was taken out before he had heard even the first piece that was played. I forgot to mention that the cats here have great musical ability and that the corridors are most excellent places for them to exercise their lungs.
Concert.
The Cocert last nice [sic] was very nice. Jessie and I went together and had a front seat in the gallery. Miss Freidenburg played twice. She is a beautiful player. Is a Jewess, and shows it very plainly in her face, and is strong in her faith. She is the one who lost her watch this fall. Miss Cooley sang twice. Has a very nice voice, but has
a large head, which she rolls on one side, and such an insipid, affected snide that I don't like to look at her. Then Miss Rustin played beautifully and Misses Dow and Shaw on two pianos. I enjoyed it very much.
New Bible Class.
Was transferred to Mrs. Ray's Bible Class today. Like it much better than Miss Avery's. In the latter's was always sleepy, and usually sat next [Co], who whispered to me and amused me with her various antics. Mrs. Ray held my interest close all the time, and said a great deal in a short time. The service today was 1 hour and 20 min. long. There are 3 prayers 2 hymns sung by congregation, 3 by Choir, reading of the Psalms and sermon. Horribly long. The Rhetoric says that a person ought to bring his lecture or sermon to a close when his congregtion expect him to do so, or they lose interest. I don't think Dr. Caldwell understands that for I thought he was going to stop at least
half-a-dozen times before he did, and every one got restless.
Breaking Silent Time.
The Saturday after Thanksgiving, Miss Nagai invited Gorgie, Jessie and I up to her room that evening. A little while after, we went up to Viva's room to go with her on top of the house and Miss Nagai was there. We went in the elevator to the 5th Centre and then up a pair of stairs. Here we saw a lots of sleds piled up waiting for snow. Also 2 immense iron tanks full of water, of which we couldn't imagine the use. There we climed [sic] a ladder built into the house and reached a small platform where we could gaze down into the library a long way below us. Then, Miss Nagai taking the lead, we climed [sic] up a short ladder, out of a door, and stood in the square space, top of the College, where the flag-staff is. The flag was at half-mast. When we came down we heard that there was to be a Sheet and Pillow-case Party in Room J., to which all were invited. Of
course we wanted to go and busied ourselves making a comical mask. Pass copied and Gorgie dressed her and she went to the party. Miss Nagai came down and told us to go if we wished, But we said we wanted to go to both places but preferred to go to see her. We found Miss Stematz quite sick. She had a real bad cough. She hasn't got over it yet. It makes her sick. We had cranberry jell [sic] and cake and apples and molasses candy. We came down at Silent Time and went into Gorgie's room. Now in our room we always used to have jolly times in Silent Time. One night Gorgie was in here and Jessie and Ella were having a water-fight. We always used to have nice times and to make a good deal of noise. And we thought Miss Hubbard exceedingly nice not to say anything about it. Well that night, Pass was telling us that she had a nice time and all about it in a pretty loud tone of voice. Well, there came a knock and Gorgie calmly said, "Come" Miss Hubbard appeared. "Young ladies," said she, "were you aware that the bell for Silent
Time had struck?" Then she left without waiting for an answer. I very obediantly trotted home. Jessie staid and heard the rest of the story. She wasn't seen at all, as she sat on a cricket by the register between Miss McFadden and Gorgie. But the best joke was that Pass was caught. For you must understand that Pass is very good. Every morning, when you pass her window at Silent Time, you see her seated before her open window with her Bible open on her trunk (which has a red calico covering), very devoutly reading. If by any chance her window doesn't happen to be open you will find that she isn't reading her Bible, but is at some other occupation.
Well we have since been caught breaking Silent Time. But I don't understand the latter times. Why, we were remarkably good. To be sure I had been telling Jessie and Ella about Miss Berringer; but it was all in a low tone of voice. The windows and the transum, however, were open. Now we keep the windows and transum, but not our mouths, shut in Silent Time.
Wednesday, Dec. 18th 1878.
Last Day.
Oh joy! My last lesson is recited and now the last things are to be done and I am going home. Hi yah, etc.! Go to N.Y. tomorrow on the 8.25 A.M. train and take the boat tomorrow at 4.50 P.M. at New York. And father will meet me at the Canton depot at 5 or 6 A.M. Friday. Heigho! How slowly these last days have gone. For more than a week they have dragged; but especially have they done so since Miss Varnes said there were 6 more chances to flunk. But, oh jolly! tomorrow morning we start.
Tuesday, Jan. 7th, 1878
Back Again.
Here we are, back at College, obeying bells and studying lessons. Oh, if we could only have had a week or so more vacation. A big and obstinate if; but there's no use lamenting. Of course we had a perfectly elegant time, we who went
home. And those who stayed, although they found it a little dull sometimes, wished never-the-less, that the vacation would not end. I went with Ella to N.Y. Then took the horse cars to the boat. Met Miss Blake, a Senior who is in my Greek class, on the boat, and shared her state-room. Also met Miss Wentworth, a Senior, and her father. Saw for a moment Miss Tappan. Had a nice time. On the next state-room to ours there was a woman who was very communicative and caused us a good deal of merriment. "Mr. Richardson" had procured her room for her and she was terribly afraid a man would get in. Got to Canton before light Friday morning and I could never realize that there was any night between that time and the time I left College. Father and Mother met me at the Canton depot. I had a cold all the time. I was home and was about sick. Went to the Birdgewater Normal School to see my High School mates. I enjoyed that very much. The contrast between the schools is very
great. Noticed it more in regard to the Dining-room and remaining in their own rooms, than anything else. They can't go into each others rooms all day. Sunday, Saturday morning and every evening after 7 P.M. Have Inspection Day every Thursday, to see that they do no damage to rooms, etc. Table-fare is much poorer there than here. Can't use the bath-tubs but one fixed time a week. Do their own sweeping, etc. Went to a lecture by Senator Harris while there. It was mostly concerning Fulton and his inventions. Went to a lecture the next Tuesday night. "The Sunny Side of Prison Life," by Homer Sprague. Well, last night I left home. Saw Misses Wentworth and Tappen, but scarcely to speak. Stayed in the cabin. Took the horsecars to Central Depot and came here on the half past ten train. Had a good deal to do in the way of unpacking and getting things in order. But that's all right now. Seems kind of nice to be here, but if we could have had another week. The
Western girls are not back. Snowed in. And, oh joy! Miss Goodwin is snowed in and there wasn't any Livy today. Well, I must study.
Sunday, Jan. 12th 1879.
Ella's Cat.
When I first came back, Jessie informed me that we had an addition to the family. A kitten that Ella had brought from home. Maltese kittens are very scarce in [Philad.], so one of her friends, who had a maltese cat and 6 kittens sent them to Ella's home. A Miss Jones that is here has a cat and two kittens here, and why shouldn't we have a kitten, too? So Ella brought a plump little kitten back. She called it Myra after its giver. I didn't see the kitten till night, as it was lost. but Jessie found it and brought it here and Ella fed it and it ate heartily. At night she put it in the corridor and it was not found again till Thursday night. Then being of a literary turn
mind it was meandering around the reading room, when Miss Case saw it and brought it to Ella. She, not wishing to lose it again, decided to tie a long string around it and not let go far. It would eat nothing that night, and from that time, pined away. It lay all day on Ella's shawl without moving; but it had a vomiting spell once or twice a day. Sat. afternoon, as I sat here alone, it half rose and then fell down and lay out still. Every little while it did this, and I knew that it was dying. Knowing that I could do nothing for it, and not liking to look at it, I went into Gorgie's room to study. When Tomas came to bring my chair and fix Ella's bed, he said it was dying and took it away.
My Rocking-Chair,
that mother sent me from home got a broken rocker by [Co] Shailer's tripping Jessie back in it. I thought the Janitor could mend it, and dropped a note to him every day for some
time. At last, a few days before vacation, a man came to mended [sic] it. But he said the rocker couldn't be mended. And he took it off and told me to give it to the College Espress-man and he would take it and get me one sawed out just like it. Not knowing where to see the College Express-man or anything about him, and being busy, I neglected it till I decided to carry it home. I did so and father sawed me a new rocker out of oak instead of black walnet, and stained it. I brought it back, and, oh joy! got it put on by Sat. Surely a month my chair lay on its side in the corner, a poor, wounded thing. I devoutly hope I may never break anything else that belongs to me, it is such a bother to get it mended.
Monday, Jan. 13th '78
A Quick Sunday.
Yesterday was a nice quiet Sunday
to me. In the morning there was no Bible class, as Mrs. Ray, the Freshman's teacher, was sick. Then I had a bad cold so I thought I'd better not go to Chapel, and I got the doctor to excuse me from today. It is the first time I have been to her to get excused from anything. Then at night the "Society of Religious Inquiry" met, so we had no Chapel. I wrote letters all day and enjoyed it immensely.
Ella's Bed.
It is now for two nights that I have not been awakened by an unearthly noise like the firing off of a revolver at dead of night. Some nights the crash would be terrific, because half a dozen of Ella's slats would go bang to the floor. Never a night passed but what I was awakened at least once by the dropping of one or more slats. But Thomas came Saturday and now we sleep undisturbed by falling slats. One night Ella got up in the middle of the night and fixed them. But her trials are now over.
Skating.
I have been on my skates (Mother's Christmas present) three times. I haven't fallen but twice, and then Jessie was pushing or drawing me. I can get along over the ice, but don't dare to say I can skate. Miss Warren, however held me up as an example to Abbie, also a beginner. I can take a short awkward stroke with one foot, but their [sic] all my skill ends.
Sunday, Jan 26th 1879.
My Barbecue.
Oh, it's so long since I've written and I've so much to say. First, I must tell you about the Barbecue, which happened Jan. 11th. The Livy Club were all invited and all attended, except Miss Yamakawa, who had not returned from vacation. I told them that this was a Social not a Political Barbecue, which was so much more extensive than a political barbecue that they might all have an ox roasted whole. Then I brought on, not only oxen,
but sheep, cats, elephants, etc., all of which were roasted whole, in the shape of small crackers that I brought from home. I had also nuts, apples, and candy. Giving to the small number of drinking vessels we possessed (a mug and wine glass), I was obliged to make frequent journeys to the water tank. Napkins supplied the place of plates, but we all had knives and were very merry. Gorgie didn't come in as early as the rest as she had a German lesson to get. Shige was here. There were many jokes made and a good deal of laughing done. The following is a specimen of the jokes. "Where is Miss Morrill?" Miss Howe "Miss Morrill has evaporated, and, as evaporated substance always rise higher, she's gone to the fourth to study German." Jessie. "And the Moral(-rill) is 'take care where you [light].'" Miss Howe found a double almond and phialpened [sic] with Miss Wheeler, E.J. Well we got to speaking on some subject or other and Miss E.J. innocently asked, "It will do very
much. We went to Hyde Park, a small place about 6 miles away. We stopped at an oldfashioned hotel. The walls were low, and the doors reached from ceiling to floor. At the windows, first there were common white curtains, there lambrequins over them, then lace curtains over the lambrequins, and heading all, a gilt moulding. As soon as we arrived, they, thinking we must be hungry, having waited so long, brought around sandwiches. We were hungry; and most of us partook so freely of them, that, when the table was set and we were called into the dining room, many of us were not at all hungry. The dining hall would not hold all, and things were brought to the rest of us. I do not think they had chairs enough for all. At any rate, some of us, seeing no chairs unoccupied, seated outselves in a social group on the floor, and talked in confidentially low tones of the coming election of class