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Dec. 27, 1872.
Dearest Cara,
Today I expected to be speeding along on the "chemin de fer" to
Troy. But alas! we are all doomed to disappointment! Here am I blocked
in by snow and compelled to remain at College until Monday and perhaps
much longer. "Such a snowstorm the very oldest inhabitants have never
before known." This little phrase is used every winter, but this one with
truth, I think. The horse cars have stopped running
better than usual, turkey, duck, mince pie and plum pudding. Half the
amount of dishes at home would have been better. Parlor 63 contains a very nice set of girls. Hattie Stetson, Pattie Thum, Lida Magowan and my self. (Is not that a conceited remark?) It is a most
Parlor 63 was quite fashionable. It was first invited out to a very tempt-
ing supper of coffee and other delicacies. Then to a Christmas tree,
which was intended only to be looked at, as no presents were distributed.
Here we again partook of coffee and fruit cake, the latter I politely took
and not being able to eat it stuffed it Into my pocket for safe keeping. Then followed a dance in the College parlors on those best new carpets. We found at every waltz that Miss Lymans ghost would rise and confront us lor our sacrilege. Just now
drop of ink, spill of a pin head, upon those precious Aaminsters. But to
return (ahem) to our Christmas Eve. Leaving the parlor at half past nine
we returned to 63 and amused ourselves, with reading, backgammon, and
the like, until twelve, when Lida and I finished off the evening, or rather, began the morning, with study: for we retired to our downy couches at one o'clock. The next evening, at the supper table we decided to attend a masked and fancy dress ball In the College parlors. Two young ladles were trans-
Graham, my last years roommate made a very lady like old housekeeper
wearing a stiff cap, long apron and carrying her reticule and scissors at her side. Lida Magovan was the robin and the chief attraction of the evening. No one could recognise her, and she did her part to perfection, hopping about and chirrupping in a most bird like fashion. By the time I had arrayed these two and cut out numerous K's for a Ku Klux Klan I had only time to doff an ancient red overgown and turban, In which costume I enjoyed myself very much. Dr. Avery being our Lady Principal
Since It was my intention to leave today, I received my New Years
callers last evening.
Lida was Josephus the waiting man. He received the cards, took the gentlemens hats and prepared and served the refreshments, which consisted of snow cream, lemon ice, cake and crackers. Joseph's part, you can perceive was a very laborious one yet mother and daughter found the boy "very careless" "so thoughtless" etc. This, of course, to excuse his not being In all places at one time. I was the charming young daughter, fresh and bloomy,
men who were young enough made lore to me, and many are the duels to
be fought on my account. Then there was the governess Miss Limmeth,
a very agreeable personage, quite proper. Our callers ware numerous
and of high rank, some of them, at least. Sir Charles from Eng. was a
most charming gent,
Browne, from Vermont. She is older than the rest of us and very, very
talented. She wrote the article In the Miscellany upon M. Taine. By the
way, I think I have not sent the magazine to you yet. Whan you get it, please read the article I Just mentioned, for it la about the best In the book. Then another line character was G.A Fitznoodle. This was carried out to perfection.
words and compliments. I must not forget to mention Josiah somebody,
I forget the name, and his son Zekiel. The old man would persist in tell-
ing me of quiltings, corn huskings and such like things which of course I
had never heard of. Then there were a lot of Russians whose names my
tongue could never twist nor my pen write.
Yesterday I received Papa and Mammas letters enclosing my
Christmas present. They do not say what they wish me to get with it, so
I think I shall get Jean Ingelows poems, Undiae and perhaps some pretty
picture or another book. Tell me what you had for Christmas presents and
The snow is piled up in our window sill over a feet high, and in
the corridor it drifted down in the window ledge inside and has not melted
yet. But it is not as cold as it was Christmas day. Our parlor is warm
enough when we sit within a foot of the register, but in a corner of the
room one's hand will became too cold to write. Annie Meeker, one of my
former parlor mates
stamps which it will need for supply is getting low.
With a vast deal of love
I am lovingly Julie