Details
My dear Mother,
Such a wonderful shoe as I got by mail last Tuesday it quite took my breath away, it reminded me of our Christmas stockings. I am very much obliged for the belt It is just the right color and will be needed soon if this sultry weather continues, grenadines and cambrics have appeared already, and spring suits are positively uncomfortable.
Yesterday, about twenty of us foolish girls went to Cedar Ridge for wild flowers. It cant be much more than a mile, but very hard walking, and I for one, was so completely used up, that I have'nt got over it yet. probably it was the heat more than the walk, and then we had on our flannel Gym dresses, which made it worse.
There is absolutely nothing to fill this big sheet and if I had had any other paper I would not have attempted ^it Chapel service has been changed from directly after supper to forty minutes later which gives us an opportunity
Evie says she does'nt understand my allusion to the sick but if I wasn't told In two letters and In distinct terms that both you and Rachel were ^so, then I can't read writing but so as you are well now we won't quarrel about It.
Since you [...] like to read the Miscellany so much I will subscribe for it, and will receive a number in July or August It only comes out every three months, probably It will describe the commencement more fully than the papers, and as none of us will be here it will be [nice?] to know about It. I am not so very sorry that Evie and Cousin Louise will wait until next year, for I must stay next year whether I want to be or not, sad now I feel as If it would be impossible to [be?] here a moment longer than I can help. I am sorry that your predictions concerning the piano tuner were correct and hope that^Mr Racie's man will do better. I have tried to do my duty by my music but I am sometimes so tired by five oclock that [...] It is impossible to raise a note, never mind about my exercises If you cant find them the Italian one do just as well. I do wish I could have one
How does Lizzie like the measles ? every one's [little?] sisters seem to have them and several girls here have been sick with them.
Is Annie Barcalow all well now? she [doesn't?] deserve to be asked after, for she has never written to me, but I never know she is when the girls ask me. I will tell you now if I have not before, that ray dress looked very fine Indeed, at least every one said so, our looking glasses are so small we cant see more than our faces, and shoulders.
We had a very pleasant meeting of Exoteric last night quite a number of Seniors and teachers were present the entertainment consisted ^of a debate a few tableaux and the reading of Mark Twains ridiculous story of "a good little boy who came to a bad end". The society came so near dying out that it is a wonder it is able to lift up its head again.
Tell me of Cousin Louisa's purchases when you write, I suppose she got the summer silk she talked of.
We have almost finished William Tell and will then read a novel for variety but I [dread?] to think of our finishing
I never realised what a blessing it was to have a neat room mate until Annie Iredell left. Minnie Culver is anything but neat and tries my patience so sometimes that I can scarcely stand it, but she is the best hearted girl alive and that is a good deal. I hope I can have a single room next year but the Freshmen have the poorest chance of any, and besides I have'nt the plea of ill health to help me.
I heard a few days ago that Miss Terry had only been engaged for three years, this being her third, and that her health would not permit her to come back, most of the girls would rejoice if she did not, for they all seem to dislike ^her, although they probably would dislike anyone in her position. There this stupid letter is finished and I am glad for such stuff I never wrote, but you must blame the monotony of school life and not me. Good night. Your loving daughter
[Mary E. Gaston ex-'78]