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Date
September 1900
Abstract
VC 1904
Creator
Transcript file(s)
Subject (Topical)
Details
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Identifier
vassar:25077,,Box 73,VCL_Letters_Taylor_Lea-D_1904_002
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1 item
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: VCLLettersTaylorLeaD1904002001
Toll K. there Is the dearest kitten here - who Is so
Friday afternoon.
soft and so playful that we love her already. I wish
she could see it.
Fall 1900 1st letter Sep 1900
Dear mama,
Here I am sitting on my
couch and writing to you. It
seems ages since I left Chicago.
We had quite a pleasant night on
the train—though it was rather
warm. I woke up while we were
passing through Syracuse at
about five o-clock. Soon after I
started to get dressed. As soon as
I was ready I went into the "drawing
room" and waited until my berth
was made up. We were just then
going along the Mohawk River
and the scenery was exquisite.
We got into P. an hour late—and
as we were walking—single
file - bag and baggage up a narrow
plank walk to the station—Louise
met a friend who Is a Soph. She
took us to Miss Ballintine—who
was very much surprised to
Friday afternoon.
soft and so playful that we love her already. I wish
she could see it.
Fall 1900 1st letter Sep 1900
Dear mama,
Here I am sitting on my
couch and writing to you. It
seems ages since I left Chicago.
We had quite a pleasant night on
the train—though it was rather
warm. I woke up while we were
passing through Syracuse at
about five o-clock. Soon after I
started to get dressed. As soon as
I was ready I went into the "drawing
room" and waited until my berth
was made up. We were just then
going along the Mohawk River
and the scenery was exquisite.
We got into P. an hour late—and
as we were walking—single
file - bag and baggage up a narrow
plank walk to the station—Louise
met a friend who Is a Soph. She
took us to Miss Ballintine—who
was very much surprised to
: VCLLettersTaylorLeaD1904002002
see me—as she hadn't gotten
my note—mailed one Tuesday
evening. Miss Ballintine is
of medium height, has dark
hair which she wears parted
and curled. She must be thirty
or over—and seems very nice
indeed. Then we all walked
up the street one block and
waited for the car. There
were twenty or more girls and
their friends all waiting for
the same car-so you can imagine
it was pretty well crowded and
not a man—except the conductor
and motorman. The conductor
let us off - half a block too soon-
after a ride of five or tea minutes.
We had to cut across a large
vacant lot - and then arrived on
Corlies Ave. There are three
my note—mailed one Tuesday
evening. Miss Ballintine is
of medium height, has dark
hair which she wears parted
and curled. She must be thirty
or over—and seems very nice
indeed. Then we all walked
up the street one block and
waited for the car. There
were twenty or more girls and
their friends all waiting for
the same car-so you can imagine
it was pretty well crowded and
not a man—except the conductor
and motorman. The conductor
let us off - half a block too soon-
after a ride of five or tea minutes.
We had to cut across a large
vacant lot - and then arrived on
Corlies Ave. There are three
: VCLLettersTaylorLeaD1904002003
or four houses on the block on
the other side of the street and
only one other on this side and
that is way at the other corner.
This house is on a corner. It
is a medium sized house—
white with green blinds—quite
countryfied. It has a small porch
in front- The front door opens
into a hall from which the
stairs go up. On the left hand
side is the parlor which is prettily
furnished—has a large sofa - a
Morris chair - and looks quite
cozy. The dining-room opens off
of that and is a very cheerful
room - has a large wooden bench
against the wall - and a pretty
cabinet and desk - end table
all of the same wood. The stairs
turn with a little square lending
and our room is right straight
the other side of the street and
only one other on this side and
that is way at the other corner.
This house is on a corner. It
is a medium sized house—
white with green blinds—quite
countryfied. It has a small porch
in front- The front door opens
into a hall from which the
stairs go up. On the left hand
side is the parlor which is prettily
furnished—has a large sofa - a
Morris chair - and looks quite
cozy. The dining-room opens off
of that and is a very cheerful
room - has a large wooden bench
against the wall - and a pretty
cabinet and desk - end table
all of the same wood. The stairs
turn with a little square lending
and our room is right straight
: VCLLettersTaylorLeaD1904002004
opposite the top of the stairs-
The house faces east - and -
is on the north east corner
of the block. Our room is square
and projects a little from the
house so that one window is
east - and looks out on Corlies
Ave. There is no house directly
opposite it. The south window
looks towards the cars - across
a vacant lot - or rather two -
so that we can not see the
other house from it. The
west window looks towards
the Hudson - which we cannot
see. But there are three or four
of the Catskill peaks which we
can see plainly. There are
quite a number of house to
be seen from it. It also looks
out on the garden. They have
The house faces east - and -
is on the north east corner
of the block. Our room is square
and projects a little from the
house so that one window is
east - and looks out on Corlies
Ave. There is no house directly
opposite it. The south window
looks towards the cars - across
a vacant lot - or rather two -
so that we can not see the
other house from it. The
west window looks towards
the Hudson - which we cannot
see. But there are three or four
of the Catskill peaks which we
can see plainly. There are
quite a number of house to
be seen from it. It also looks
out on the garden. They have
: VCLLettersTaylorLeaD1904002005
quite a number of peach trees—
none of them have fruit - however -
and a couple of grapevines
with fruit on—and tomatoes
and corn - and I don't know
what else. There is a small
barn at the rear - where the
wheels are kept I presume.
Now for the room itself. It is
an oblong room about 12 by
18 ft. I should guess though
I dont know anything about
it. And this is the way it is planned
I dont know
(Drawing) whether that
conveys any
idea with it or not. The paper
is of a yellowish tint, and about
like Helen's old room only clean.
The dressers a--, very nice - of
none of them have fruit - however -
and a couple of grapevines
with fruit on—and tomatoes
and corn - and I don't know
what else. There is a small
barn at the rear - where the
wheels are kept I presume.
Now for the room itself. It is
an oblong room about 12 by
18 ft. I should guess though
I dont know anything about
it. And this is the way it is planned
I dont know
(Drawing) whether that
conveys any
idea with it or not. The paper
is of a yellowish tint, and about
like Helen's old room only clean.
The dressers a--, very nice - of
: VCLLettersTaylorLeaD1904002006
dark wood - something like papa's
in shape - only small. They
have five drawers - of medium
size and a looking glass - which
is very good. The green denim
rug might be improved
but I think it will answer.
There is one rocker and one
straight chair. They spoke
of bringing up another chair
and I hope they will do it soon.
Oh I forgot to describe Miss Bar-
telmann. She Is very tall -
and very thin - has dark hair
and a pleasant face - and is
a little younger than Miss
Ballintine I think. She has
a little German accent - and
seems real jolly. She was at
Smith until '97 and then she
came here. -----day morning
in shape - only small. They
have five drawers - of medium
size and a looking glass - which
is very good. The green denim
rug might be improved
but I think it will answer.
There is one rocker and one
straight chair. They spoke
of bringing up another chair
and I hope they will do it soon.
Oh I forgot to describe Miss Bar-
telmann. She Is very tall -
and very thin - has dark hair
and a pleasant face - and is
a little younger than Miss
Ballintine I think. She has
a little German accent - and
seems real jolly. She was at
Smith until '97 and then she
came here. -----day morning
: VCLLettersTaylorLeaD1904002007
after we had been here about
an hour our trunks arrived and
we set to work unpacking them.
By about three o'clock they were
almost unpacked and a man
who was working around the
house carried them up into
the garret. It is light up there
so we can get the rest of the
things any time we want and
it is very nice not to have
the trunks in the room.
At three Miss Bartelmann took
us up to the college. We walked
up and it took us about twenty
minutes. It Is quite country-
fied all around, and not very
pretty though there are beau-
tiful trees. All around the
college grounds there is a
tall hedge - very symetric (?)
and very pretty. We passed
an hour our trunks arrived and
we set to work unpacking them.
By about three o'clock they were
almost unpacked and a man
who was working around the
house carried them up into
the garret. It is light up there
so we can get the rest of the
things any time we want and
it is very nice not to have
the trunks in the room.
At three Miss Bartelmann took
us up to the college. We walked
up and it took us about twenty
minutes. It Is quite country-
fied all around, and not very
pretty though there are beau-
tiful trees. All around the
college grounds there is a
tall hedge - very symetric (?)
and very pretty. We passed
: VCLLettersTaylorLeaD1904002008
thro a gate in this and arrived
on the campus. The walk
we were on led straight up
to Raymond Hall - a dormitory.
It is a large red brick building
rather irregular in shape,
and surrounded with beau-
tiful lawns and trees. We
passed through that and out
the back door and straight
up the walk to Strong Hall.
which is a building just
like Raymond only facing
another way. L's friend Miss
Morrison lived in this and
she was going to take us over
to register. So we went in this
building and up in an
elevator—worked by a maid
with a white cap on—It seemed
on the campus. The walk
we were on led straight up
to Raymond Hall - a dormitory.
It is a large red brick building
rather irregular in shape,
and surrounded with beau-
tiful lawns and trees. We
passed through that and out
the back door and straight
up the walk to Strong Hall.
which is a building just
like Raymond only facing
another way. L's friend Miss
Morrison lived in this and
she was going to take us over
to register. So we went in this
building and up in an
elevator—worked by a maid
with a white cap on—It seemed
: VCLLettersTaylorLeaD1904002009
awfully queer. On the third
floor we got out and managed
to get down the hall which
was fairly littered with trunks
and girls. Miss Morrison had
a suite of rooms - one large room
and a small one on each side
(Drawing) like that. She had one
little room and her roommate
had the other. The windows
looked right out on the campus.
There is a small lake there
where the girls skate in winter
and a green level place - hedged
in in an oval shape by a row
of splendid trees - where basket
ball Is played. The campus
looked perfectly beautiful -
every thing was so green and
pretty. From Strong we went
over to the Main building -
floor we got out and managed
to get down the hall which
was fairly littered with trunks
and girls. Miss Morrison had
a suite of rooms - one large room
and a small one on each side
(Drawing) like that. She had one
little room and her roommate
had the other. The windows
looked right out on the campus.
There is a small lake there
where the girls skate in winter
and a green level place - hedged
in in an oval shape by a row
of splendid trees - where basket
ball Is played. The campus
looked perfectly beautiful -
every thing was so green and
pretty. From Strong we went
over to the Main building -
: VCLLettersTaylorLeaD1904002010
which la a tremendous
affair holding four hundred
girls, The Freshman and
Senior room there. As we
entered the door - there
were a lot of girls in light
dresses -sailing around -
Seniors, I suppose. We were
introduced to a few of them
and were then marched up
a broad marble stair-case -
and taken into a room
where our names - ages - etc.
There we saw Miss McCaleb
for a half a minute - as soon
as she saw me heard
my name she said - 'Oh
yes, that's Queene Ferry's
friend,' I was astonished
that she remembered. I left
my lovely note book there
affair holding four hundred
girls, The Freshman and
Senior room there. As we
entered the door - there
were a lot of girls in light
dresses -sailing around -
Seniors, I suppose. We were
introduced to a few of them
and were then marched up
a broad marble stair-case -
and taken into a room
where our names - ages - etc.
There we saw Miss McCaleb
for a half a minute - as soon
as she saw me heard
my name she said - 'Oh
yes, that's Queene Ferry's
friend,' I was astonished
that she remembered. I left
my lovely note book there
: VCLLettersTaylorLeaD1904002011
and then we went down to
the treasurer's office and paid
and then we came back and
I started this - but It is Sat. morning
now. Yesterday afternoon we
had quite an exciting time.
Miss Ballantine. & Miss Bartelman. were
carrying a box out to the barn
and Miss Bal. tripped on a board
and fell & pulled Miss Bar.
after her - and the man next
door jumped over the fence
just as Miss Bartelman., who wasn't
hurt was lifting Miss Bal's
head up. The man pulled
out a bottle and said "Its
drug store whiskey. It won't
hurt you" and made her
swallow some. She cut
her forehead a little and was
faint for a minute. But we
the treasurer's office and paid
and then we came back and
I started this - but It is Sat. morning
now. Yesterday afternoon we
had quite an exciting time.
Miss Ballantine. & Miss Bartelman. were
carrying a box out to the barn
and Miss Bal. tripped on a board
and fell & pulled Miss Bar.
after her - and the man next
door jumped over the fence
just as Miss Bartelman., who wasn't
hurt was lifting Miss Bal's
head up. The man pulled
out a bottle and said "Its
drug store whiskey. It won't
hurt you" and made her
swallow some. She cut
her forehead a little and was
faint for a minute. But we
: VCLLettersTaylorLeaD1904002012
laughed for about an hour
over the man - I'd like to
know the difference between
drug store whiskey and
any other kind of whiskey.
That delayed dinner quite
a little - but we wanted to
go to chapel so much - that
we rushed thro -dinner
and left without dessert.
We got to the College quite
late - so didn't go into chapel-
But waited outside for the
girls to come out. The chapel
Is right in the Main building.
When the girls came out - well
I never saw so many girls
to gether in my life and such
a hubbub! I spotted Miss Wylie
of G.R. as she came out. She
Introduced me to two more
over the man - I'd like to
know the difference between
drug store whiskey and
any other kind of whiskey.
That delayed dinner quite
a little - but we wanted to
go to chapel so much - that
we rushed thro -dinner
and left without dessert.
We got to the College quite
late - so didn't go into chapel-
But waited outside for the
girls to come out. The chapel
Is right in the Main building.
When the girls came out - well
I never saw so many girls
to gether in my life and such
a hubbub! I spotted Miss Wylie
of G.R. as she came out. She
Introduced me to two more
: VCLLettersTaylorLeaD1904002013
G.R. girls - Miss Judson & Miss
Findley who are rooming
with her. They have a suite of
rooms In the Main building.
Miss Wylie had a letter of intro-
diction from Mark Hall - to me.
Wasn't that funny? It was
a very nice letter. By the way
I didn't get Helen's letter
until Friday afternoon and
I was so glad to get it. After
seeing Miss Wylie I went with
L. up to her friends - Gertrude
Keith's room. That poor girl
was dreadfully homesick -
had not gotten her room until
a quarter of six P.M. - didn't
have her trunk, had a
room-mate whom she
didn't like and was terribly
blue. Her room was very bare
Findley who are rooming
with her. They have a suite of
rooms In the Main building.
Miss Wylie had a letter of intro-
diction from Mark Hall - to me.
Wasn't that funny? It was
a very nice letter. By the way
I didn't get Helen's letter
until Friday afternoon and
I was so glad to get it. After
seeing Miss Wylie I went with
L. up to her friends - Gertrude
Keith's room. That poor girl
was dreadfully homesick -
had not gotten her room until
a quarter of six P.M. - didn't
have her trunk, had a
room-mate whom she
didn't like and was terribly
blue. Her room was very bare
: VCLLettersTaylorLeaD1904002014
had plastered walls - white -
had two beds stuck in [each]
two corners - two bureaus side
by side & two wash stands
side by side. But I think
when she gets her things
she will feel better. But I'm
glad I haven't her room-mate
to live with. About nine o'clock
we came back again - on the
cars, and Miss Bartelmann
made us eat the dessert which
she had saved for us. Wasn't
that thoughtful in her?
By the way - we have no
wash stand - but use the
bath room which is right
next to us - very convenient
indeed -Miss Bartelmann
just came In and said that
she had just gotten my letter
which I addressed to 26 Corlies
had two beds stuck in [each]
two corners - two bureaus side
by side & two wash stands
side by side. But I think
when she gets her things
she will feel better. But I'm
glad I haven't her room-mate
to live with. About nine o'clock
we came back again - on the
cars, and Miss Bartelmann
made us eat the dessert which
she had saved for us. Wasn't
that thoughtful in her?
By the way - we have no
wash stand - but use the
bath room which is right
next to us - very convenient
indeed -Miss Bartelmann
just came In and said that
she had just gotten my letter
which I addressed to 26 Corlies
: VCLLettersTaylorLeaD1904002015
Ave.- Chicago - Ill. Wasn't
that stupid of me. But I
think it is wonderful that
it ever got here at ail.
We are going down town this
afternoon to get a lamp. I think
I can get along without a desk.
The table is just a small
low center table - but I am
going to try it anyway. We
are going to see about a
washerwoman this afternoon.
I am going to send back those
tan gloves; when I was putting
them on in the train one of
the split right up the middle-
I thought perhaps you might
be able to change that though
I don't know whether you can
or not. I shall have to get
another pair this afternoon too
that stupid of me. But I
think it is wonderful that
it ever got here at ail.
We are going down town this
afternoon to get a lamp. I think
I can get along without a desk.
The table is just a small
low center table - but I am
going to try it anyway. We
are going to see about a
washerwoman this afternoon.
I am going to send back those
tan gloves; when I was putting
them on in the train one of
the split right up the middle-
I thought perhaps you might
be able to change that though
I don't know whether you can
or not. I shall have to get
another pair this afternoon too
: VCLLettersTaylorLeaD1904002016
wear tomorrow. I am sorry
about it. They were the 50 ct.
gloves in Field's basement
you - know. To night we
have the reception, and I
shall wear either my organdie
or my white dress. I don't know
whether I could get the white
one pressed out or not. They
wear light dresses in the
afternoons so much at the
College. So many had them
on yesterday.
Could you send on my
napkin ring - and what about
a laundry bag? We forgot to
put that one in.
What do you suppose happened.
You know I had ten dollars
in that little money bag and
two fives in my purse. One
was in the little compartment
about it. They were the 50 ct.
gloves in Field's basement
you - know. To night we
have the reception, and I
shall wear either my organdie
or my white dress. I don't know
whether I could get the white
one pressed out or not. They
wear light dresses in the
afternoons so much at the
College. So many had them
on yesterday.
Could you send on my
napkin ring - and what about
a laundry bag? We forgot to
put that one in.
What do you suppose happened.
You know I had ten dollars
in that little money bag and
two fives in my purse. One
was in the little compartment
: VCLLettersTaylorLeaD1904002017
that is off by itself. I used
part of the first - to pay for
my dinner and other things
like that and yesterday
afternoon when I went up to
the College I thought I had
better leave the other five
at home- and went to take
It out - and It was not there.
Since then I have spent all
my spare time trying to
find out where it went to.
I have looked In every conceivable
place and have come to the
conclusion It must have
been taken on the train
though It seems to me they
would have taken the change
also. I am hoping It will turn
up- because I feel dreadfully
part of the first - to pay for
my dinner and other things
like that and yesterday
afternoon when I went up to
the College I thought I had
better leave the other five
at home- and went to take
It out - and It was not there.
Since then I have spent all
my spare time trying to
find out where it went to.
I have looked In every conceivable
place and have come to the
conclusion It must have
been taken on the train
though It seems to me they
would have taken the change
also. I am hoping It will turn
up- because I feel dreadfully
: VCLLettersTaylorLeaD1904002018
to lose so much. But I don't
remember taking it out at
all - or even opening the com-
apartment except once, while
here, when I put some cards
in it- and I didn't notice
then about the bill.
I think I shall have to
stop as it is lunch time. The
meals have been very good
so far - but there are no
other girls in the house.
I do hope some more will
come because it is so much
more fun with a crowd.
But it doesn't look much like it
now. Two people came yester-
day to inquire - but they were
a mother and daughter. But
they didn't stay - Well good-bye
for now. Give my love to all
and write soon.
Lovingly Lea.
remember taking it out at
all - or even opening the com-
apartment except once, while
here, when I put some cards
in it- and I didn't notice
then about the bill.
I think I shall have to
stop as it is lunch time. The
meals have been very good
so far - but there are no
other girls in the house.
I do hope some more will
come because it is so much
more fun with a crowd.
But it doesn't look much like it
now. Two people came yester-
day to inquire - but they were
a mother and daughter. But
they didn't stay - Well good-bye
for now. Give my love to all
and write soon.
Lovingly Lea.
: VCLLettersTaylorLeaD1904002020
26 Corlies Ave-
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
1900
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
1900
