Details
Dec. 24th/71.
Dear Allie,
You were real good to
write me so soon. I was so glad
to get your letter. First you ask
me why am I here. Ans. Because
I wish to have a quiet time to
write my chapel essay, and I
know I shall not have time
at all, after vacation. Cornie
Knowles and Mame Taylor both
asked me to stay, but I thought
I had better not.
How nicely you will be
fixed up, after you get your
satines and black silks made.
but I don't think it is worth
while as long as I am here.
How lovely Ida Smith's dresses
must have been, ashes of roses oh!
that is my weakness you know.
I think that Sallie Stoner ought
to be settled, why don't Lee invite
his friends any way, if it is only
Sallie's whim. She might be
married first, and then Lee
have a respectable wedding.
How do you like Ida as the time
approaches. I think that Sallie's
[idea] whim, as you call it, not to see
Lee married is simply scandalous.
Oh! about your "Illuminator",
do you receive contributions
outside your society? If so,
I have something which, although
not original, will be splendid
for it. Write me if I shall send
it. I should think your club
would be splendid. How I should
like to join. Is it a complimen-
join who expresses a desire
to do so. We have not formed
our Reading Club yet, indeed
I am afraid it is going to fall
through. Did I write you that
I had been promoted to the dig-
nity of Librarian? You don't
know how grand I feel
sitting behind my desk, and
doing what is to be done. I only
keep the Library open two hours
a day, but I can come in and
stay all day If I wish to. I
am writing here now because
it is so quiet.
Night before last, We seniors
made up a party to go to Pokeepsle
to hear Mr. James Parton lecture
upon "Who Are the Vulgar?
Just before leaving we thought
perhaps it would be just as
that we were going, so Miss Rawson
went up and told her, saying
that she thought it would
be just as well to let her know
that we were going, "Yes, says
Mrs. Lord - I should think so.
Are you in the habit of going
into town without permission?
Oh yes says Miss R.
we never ask permission.
Oh! I think it is very nice to go in,
I hope you will have a pleasant
time; We did have a pleasant
time too. Mr. Parton gave us a
little fling, by repeating
something which was published
in a New York paper
sometime ago. It is something
like this: "The Vassar
young ladies have plenty
of silk dresses but no
slippers, but no heavy shoes,
and more to the same effect.
When he heard that there were some
Vassar girls present, he said
he would like to see us. As we
were all provided with extra
shawls, clouds &c, we thought it
would be fine fun to go in and
show them to him, but we were
all in the sleighs, and so thought
It was hardly worth while to
get out. We enjoyed his lecture
exceedingly. Have you heard it,
or have you seen any notices of it?
His idea is I believe that no
American is vulgar who
takes an interest in public
affairs. He thinks that a few
millions does not keep one
from being vulgar, when
one (Tweed) can steal more
millions in a few years
than an honest man
can make in a life time,
riding in your Carriage
and wearing diamonds
keep you from being vulgar,
when such men as Flske
and Gould keep their
carriages and are covered
with Jewels, &c,&c,&c.
Last night Dr. Raymond
invited us into his parlour
and read several of the
Siglow papers to us, and
also several scenes from
Nicholas Nickleby.
I am going into town tomorrow
to dine with the Thomas' I
don't want to stay all night
If I can help it, for Dr. Avery
is going to give us a grand
party tomorrow night. She has
engaged a band from
Pokeepsie. And rumor
from the same city are
to be invited. If it is true,
I presume it is only the
more harmless kind such
as the trustees and their sons,
perhaps a few small boys to
see Nellie Raymond.
I am crazy to be present,
for it is decidedly "the affair"
of the season. It is called
a hygiene ball, and is to
be from six to nine (during
which time Dr. Avery expects
to dance with fifty young
ladies.) after nine we return
to the college, (the ball is
given in the gymnasium)
and have refreshments.
At ten o'clock everyone
is supposed to be gone.
Don't you think it will
just as soon as you get this
telling me what you do on
Christmas, and I will give
you a description of our ball,
you must write soon though
or I shall forget it all.
Good-bye until after the ball,
Sallie.
Do you hear anything of the
small pox in Sandusky?
I am morally certain that
we will have to have it here,
and have to break up the college. The
girls think I am absurd, but
I do think it will be a miracle
if three hundred and fifty
girls go through New York,
Brooklyn and Philadelphia
without some of them getting
it and of course it is very
possible that they will
bring it back here. S.