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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1919-10-[?]
Text: [? oct 1919] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I shall try my luck at a morning letter, although I shall probably have to stop in the middle of it. I just came back from French class, where we had one of the fool mile-long assignments again. She is so afraid we won't use two hours! If I did as the others did, it would not be so bad, but whenever anyone cannot answer a question, she calls on me. I can not bluff. The reason that I happened to be put on the committe to map out a course of...
Show more[? oct 1919] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I shall try my luck at a morning letter, although I shall probably have to stop in the middle of it. I just came back from French class, where we had one of the fool mile-long assignments again. She is so afraid we won't use two hours! If I did as the others did, it would not be so bad, but whenever anyone cannot answer a question, she calls on me. I can not bluff. The reason that I happened to be put on the committe to map out a course of class study in English, was that each group coming from one class elected one girl. There were only two from Miss Buck's division, she Miss Kitchel asked Miss Buck which one she considered the best qualified. I am surprised Miss Buck thought I was capable of anything. It meant an awful lot of reading and hunting around on the English 1 reserved sections. The idea is to read essays for class work until Christmas. The ssays are to be difficult enough to understand to repay class work. We had a committee meeting in Miss Kitchel's room last night and this morning we are to present several different plans to the class. The plan that I am to present several different plans to the class. The plan that I am to present is the use Steeve's and Ristine's "Representative essays in Modern Thought" as a basic for class work and discussions. Then we are to do a certain amount of reading connected with that and report on it. In addition to it we are to do some outside on any subject we please. The other plan is to get the November issue of the Atlantic Monthly, to study it, and do library reading and writing in connection with it. A list of suggested essays would in that case be posted. That plan appeals to me more, but we will have to take a class vote. One of the members of the committee is the daughter of an English Prof at Yale. Her name is Adams. Is her father anything or don't you happen to know, Pete? Talking about profs, the two books that I used most in my history topic which I handed in yesterday were West's Alcuin and the Rise of the Christian Schools" and another book which I just happened to think was not connected with Princeton. Another book by Professor Munro whom you always call by his whole name was pretty good for the occasion. I took "The Revivial of the Schools under Sharlemagne." It was very interesting and I certainly wently into it thoroughly enough to get a decent mark. My report was about three times as long as most people's. Most of them started to work on them the afternoon before they were due, when the topic was assigned two weeks ahead. I don't believe in that. I committed the first college sin the other night in studying until eleven o'clock. I was very wide awake and I preferred that to getting up at five-thirty. Strange to say I was less tired the next day than any day since I have been here. I suppose it is too late to tell you now. If you sent food in the last laundery, please don't send any in the next--I have toomuch on hand. I forgot to tell you that last night one of the girls asked Miss Kitchel what division we were. To make a long story short. She has two English sections. I mean Freshman English. One is supposed to be very good, and one is supposed to be not quite to good. We are in the latter. It is nearer the top than the bottom, however. She said she kept girls in section that I am in that she did not consider in any way inferior to those she sent to Miss Buck. Of oucrse[sic] your truly would like to be in A1, but I really like her about ten times more than Miss Buck. She surely was great in her room last night. She was not one bit like a teacher. I played tennis with Helen Reid yesterday. you know her, Mother. I discovered that she went to Peabody for three weeks before she went to Cincinnati, and that she reported in the room next to where I did. We had a class meeting Wednesday afternoon to approve a class constitution and to elect officers. Almost all those that stood any showing were from McGlynn's and Main. The two up for President are good. One is in my Latin class, and the other is in miss Buck's English. We were together before. It is raining today--I guess because I have time for outdoor exercise. Our Math class, headed by Miss Wells, measured the height of North Tower the other day. I believe I wrote you so, though. You asked about a week age what group meetings are, Pete. That is the way the Students' Association operates. I think each floor of a quad hall constitutes a group. Each group elects a delegate to the meeting, at which they get their instruction about what to discuss at the next group meeting. A different representative is elected each time. The Hall president is the head of all the groups in that hall. The meetings take place from nne-thirty to ten, and sometimes later. We had prose again yesterday in Latin. The last twenty minutes of the hour are devoted to sight prose. We never had any such thing in high school. Yesterday she gave a translation of some Latin we had read, and we had to turn it back into Latin as idiomatically as we could. I had translated to a girl on my floor about an hour before, so it was rather fresh in my mind, considering we had done it in class about two weeks ago. The girl, I just discovered, is a Jewish Presbyterian. I almost laughed in her face when she told me she was going to the Pres. Church in town on Town Sunday--she does not belong to the church, really, she says, but her family do. We had two Roosevelt lectures in chapel that were not very good, that is, what I heard was not very good. I got a commencement present from Mrs. A. L. Weil yesterday. It is some sort of fancy hanger.I am going to take tomorrow night off and write letters. I got a letter from Pill last night, giving me some dope about Bryn Mawr. Hope you see her at the Harvard game, Pete. She is sure I cannot be as busy as she is--I am sure She cannot be as busy as I am. Her paper had the college seal on it. She wrote in parenthesis takes only three what she calls Main subjects--Economics, Latin, and English. In addition to that she is tutoring in German and Latin poetry. Evidently her September exams were unsuccessful. They had the Belgian Queen there. Otherwise nothing new, except that the hour is up. Without being homseick[sic] or anything like that, I am looking foward to November 15. Love, Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Aaron, 402 S. Winebiddle Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa.P. O. Box 882, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1923-05-24]
Text: [postmarked 24 May 1923] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Amen. I just wrote my last word on my seminar "encyclopedia". It is 103 double-spaced pages, exclusive of bibliography and table of contents. Now I have to spend all tomorrow reading it, correcting, etc. It will be a most boring job. Miss Cowley paid me a one hour call last night. I was amazed, at her viewpoint in advising me about next year. She urged me to take a rest, and not to tie myself down beyond maybe "dabbling...
Show more[postmarked 24 May 1923] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Amen. I just wrote my last word on my seminar "encyclopedia". It is 103 double-spaced pages, exclusive of bibliography and table of contents. Now I have to spend all tomorrow reading it, correcting, etc. It will be a most boring job. Miss Cowley paid me a one hour call last night. I was amazed, at her viewpoint in advising me about next year. She urged me to take a rest, and not to tie myself down beyond maybe "dabbling" at Pitt. She said--"Look at me, up here teaching year after year even since I left college. It doesn't pay unless you have to do it". I certainly was surprised at her, the grind of brinds, and typical student, to advocate loafing. She was so urgent in it, and meant it so sincerely, that I really felt sorry for her. I always thought that she thoroughly enjoyed her monotonous life, but I guess she hasn't always. Classes are over Wednesy, May 30, Mother. There is no intermission before exams. The typewriter ribbons came. Once again, the dress is all right! Let me know about the lot. It sounds good, but I don't picture the location exactly. Don't forgot, as I'm actually most interested! My exams are not bunched, Mother. I have only two actual exams Thursday A. M. and one Saturday afternoon. The number of the house is 18, the same street as the Wagner Inn and McGlynn's. I'll have to go and investigate to find out the name of the street. I don't know it. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1923-04-28
Text: April 28, 1923 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: After putting in a ten hour day on my history topic I am strongly for the six hour day. I could debate vehemently on it, in fact. I just made out a daily schedule for the month of May, and find, to my relief, that I will just be able to graduate. I shall finish my last topic four days before exams. I'll probably start by getting behind schedule tomorrow! I know nothing of interes, except that my topic is exceedingly interesting, but that I...
Show moreApril 28, 1923 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: After putting in a ten hour day on my history topic I am strongly for the six hour day. I could debate vehemently on it, in fact. I just made out a daily schedule for the month of May, and find, to my relief, that I will just be able to graduate. I shall finish my last topic four days before exams. I'll probably start by getting behind schedule tomorrow! I know nothing of interes, except that my topic is exceedingly interesting, but that I am having to do it much too fast. I got a letter from Rhinecliff yesterday inviting us up to do anything we want and be their guests at their club dinner either May 9 or May 16. I think I shall go. It is too good to miss, and is my last chance. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: [1922-10-28]
Text: [Addressed to Hotel Traymore, 28 Oct 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I called you up this morning because Dr. T. came in before I left the Infirm to announce she had talked to you last night, and I was afraid you were worrying. I sent the telegram to Helen to send you, and apparently you had not gotten it yet. Sorry you worried. I am working in the libe today and shall go back [to sufering?] to sleep tonight. I am stronger than yesterday. I have a cold, otherwise all is well. I shall be...
Show more[Addressed to Hotel Traymore, 28 Oct 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I called you up this morning because Dr. T. came in before I left the Infirm to announce she had talked to you last night, and I was afraid you were worrying. I sent the telegram to Helen to send you, and apparently you had not gotten it yet. Sorry you worried. I am working in the libe today and shall go back [to sufering?] to sleep tonight. I am stronger than yesterday. I have a cold, otherwise all is well. I shall be very careful of myself, so please don't worry. Love, and kisses, Fannie Saturday
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1923-03-06]
Text: Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I had a long session with the dean yesterday, resulting in nothing. She's on her tin ear about it all. She told me to go back to Dr. T., and then it would have to go back to the committee of privilages and elections which doesn't meet till next Monday, but the debate is the following Saturday! Dr. T. was in New York for the day. I went over to see her just now, and after waiting fifteen minutes saw her. She was lovely. She said she'd do all she...
Show moreDear Mother, Father, and Pete: I had a long session with the dean yesterday, resulting in nothing. She's on her tin ear about it all. She told me to go back to Dr. T., and then it would have to go back to the committee of privilages and elections which doesn't meet till next Monday, but the debate is the following Saturday! Dr. T. was in New York for the day. I went over to see her just now, and after waiting fifteen minutes saw her. She was lovely. She said she'd do all she could to fix it up, that the dean wanted to get in her last show of authority before going out! She said she thought she could do it all right, but that if there was any trouble yet, we could resort to what Emma McDonald, pres. of students, told me yesterday--that if I am above grad and the doctor certifies my health permits debating, the dean has no control over Census beyond that, as it is a student organization. Emma said if the mess continued that she would step in in my behalf, and Dr. B. said, "Why, we can't not have you debate; we'll have to fight it out". Evan said (debate chairman) she'd get up a petition, if necessary! Millsy was quite peeved about it, too. So everybody is pulling for me but the dean. Bish is urging me to go to Prexie, but I don't want to do that unless all else fails, as I am sure it would further antagonize Miss McCaleb. Darn her fussiness anyhow! I never debated so hard in my life as I did the twenty minutes with her! Love, Fannie, in a ste[?]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-10-30
Text: October 30, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I slept late this morning and then went to chapel. It was an awful sermon. Since then I have worked steadily, taking time out for dinner. It is now six o'clock and I am ready for some more fuel, after which I have a few more hours of work ahead of me. I have enough to do this week to kill a horse, and I shall have to work like a horse on debate. So if my letters are brief you will know why. Love, Fannie

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1/31/20
Text: January 31, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have the honor to announce, with very cold fingers, a temperature of eleven degrees below zero, with a very sharp wind in addition. Such being the case, I had no difficulty in cancelling my engagement to go coasting. I saw no point in getting frost-bitten feet or noses. I slept till about eight this morning, and then spent at least a half hour trying to get up the courage to get out of bed. Did you say it is hot in Palm Beach, Mother? I am...
Show moreJanuary 31, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have the honor to announce, with very cold fingers, a temperature of eleven degrees below zero, with a very sharp wind in addition. Such being the case, I had no difficulty in cancelling my engagement to go coasting. I saw no point in getting frost-bitten feet or noses. I slept till about eight this morning, and then spent at least a half hour trying to get up the courage to get out of bed. Did you say it is hot in Palm Beach, Mother? I am going to do all my cleaning up and straightening up this morning! Some of us walked down to watch the ice carnical last night. It was at Spring Lake in Arlington. It was not particularly interesting, as it was not the real thing. Only about a third of those skating wore white, they did not have a band, and they had every-day electrick lights, not colored ones. After coming back, one of my class whome I met came up here with me and stayed till about nine-thirty. I then went to bed, and here I am. I am enclosing the letter which I suppose Mother expected to reach you here. Love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 10/31/19
Text: October 31, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete. Aunt Hattie's costumes came yesterday afternoon. They are muchly mussed. I shall use the colonial man's costume. Tell her to write me an explanation of the others. A davison Freshman is going as a colonial girl, so she will probably be my wife. I almost sent my riding hat home a week ago, and they I decided I might as well keep it since it did not take up much room. If I wear that, braid my hair and put a black ribbon on it, wear...
Show moreOctober 31, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete. Aunt Hattie's costumes came yesterday afternoon. They are muchly mussed. I shall use the colonial man's costume. Tell her to write me an explanation of the others. A davison Freshman is going as a colonial girl, so she will probably be my wife. I almost sent my riding hat home a week ago, and they I decided I might as well keep it since it did not take up much room. If I wear that, braid my hair and put a black ribbon on it, wear silk stockings and pumps, it ought to be real cute. I know you don't approve of that word, Pete. The only trouble with the costume is that Aunt Hattie's legs are slightly smaller than mine, and the trousers are somewhat snug. I don't think they will split, though. One of the girls is going as Dr. Thelberg. I hope for the kids sake that she won't be there. Among the other things she is going to carry an egg, with brown paper and straw messed on it. I have forgotten to tell you that every day this week that my laundry came without any stamps last week and the strap was hanging off. The girl that shares post-office box with me had to call for it as a regular package, and lug it over. I was out with Father. Evidently it was not carefully strapped and stamped. It might be lost that way. We had our second class meeting yesterday afternoon at which the final elections took place. I girl I voted for for president was elected. I think she is a fine girl, and she ought to be good, although I don't think that officers of the first semester Freshman year, mean very much. There is to be a Hallowe'en party tonight. I had intended to write letters. I have to write Mrs. Weil a thankie note. Also, was I supposed to have written Mrs. Jackson a note for feeding me up, or do you only do that when you don't know people very well. I intend to take the colonial costume over to Josselyn this afternoon and press it. They don't haze here, they just play tricks on the Freshman. Last night I had gotten to bed, when Carolun Fay, my next-door neighbor, came in with some ice cream, Dinners here are substantial enough, but by ten o'clock one gets pretty hungry. She said she had gone off campus to get some and had brought back more than she wanted. It was very good, I admit. This morning she and Doroteha stuffed me for about a half hour on all the things they had done to the icecream before they gave it to me. When they were through, I asked Carolyn if she was not pretty well satisfied with herself. She said, no, that it is too easy to stuff a freshman, if she had done it to an upperclassman she would have been.Conferences with Miss Thallon start next week. I suppose I will have a repetition with the one with Miss Buck. She will probably tell me my topic was much too long. I got my second prose paper in Latin today. Miss Breene always made us translate literally. Miss Bourne just announced that we translate ideas, not words. I had done the paper Miss Breene's way--consequently there was much red ink on it. We had a movie in Hygiene today. It is some job taking notes on a movie. Lester, i hope you are sufficiently recovered from you[sic] test. it is funny that you took your test yesterday. I went swimming yesterday, too. It was raining all day, and I not only had time for exercise but needed the credit, so I went swimming. There were four in. I can stand in the deepest part. I don't think I will go often. Everything about it is very unattractive, although it is very clean. We had quite a row about the stunt party that I told you about, Father. Whenever there were supposed to be meetings, half the kids did not know about them. There was a meeting after lunch yesterday. I was not told about it. There was one seventh hour which I attended. The chairman did not turn up until five minutes before the hour was up. The stunt party, supposedly representative of the eighteen freshmen, as arranged by the chairman consisted of a stunt by her, and two stunts by two other girls. We finally decided not to give it last night, (it is supposed to be given the first rainy night after the sophs and juniors give use theirs), because it was not representative of the whole bunch. At dinner the girl who had taken upon herselfto be the whole show got up and announced that the freshmen would give their stunt party, provided we had not chapel. She was not even at the Freshman table, as she left the dinning-room one of the girls called to her from our table and asked if the Freshmen were invited. She did not get the point. We had a hot time after dinner. Finally one of the girls announced that owing to the oversight of the fact that we were supposed to allow some off-campus freshmen in on our performance, it would be put off till Monday. i bet the boss felt like crawling into her hole. That minor excuse came in very handy. Last night after the earthquake we had a meeting and arranged a performance in which everyone should have a share. It comes off Monday night. I am an old farmer in a pantomime. It ought to be pretty good. The same girl who will probably be my wife tomorrow is to be my wife in this. We ought to know how to act together pretty soon. I have a lot of work this week-end, also plenty of time to do it. I forgot to tell you that I kid I knew wanted me to give her typewriting lessons for pay, just like tutoring. I told her would be glad to show her to typewrite, that I did not want to be paid for it. If I ever wanted to earn money,--don't laugh--little Corona would come in very handy. Love,
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: [1922-10-30]
Text: [Addressed to Hotel Traymore, 30 Oct 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am out for classes today. I think yesterday was humbug myself--they took my temperature right after breakfast and it was almost ninety-nine so Dr. T. sent up word that I was to stay in bed. It didn't do any harm, but it was unnecessary. I tried to read some plays for Drama, but I'm not very good on work in bed. So I read the first half of "Upstream" which was much more to my taste. One day is more...
Show more[Addressed to Hotel Traymore, 30 Oct 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am out for classes today. I think yesterday was humbug myself--they took my temperature right after breakfast and it was almost ninety-nine so Dr. T. sent up word that I was to stay in bed. It didn't do any harm, but it was unnecessary. I tried to read some plays for Drama, but I'm not very good on work in bed. So I read the first half of "Upstream" which was much more to my taste. One day is more beautiful than another. I hope I'll soon feel like enjoying it. My cold is in my nose, throat, and ears. My ears feel all cloggy, and my throat is rather sore, but not alarmingly so. I am glad I can at least get to my room and get some decent gargle. Mr. Krolik was here Saturday and Sunday. I missed a chance at theater Saturday night, a good Lodge dinner yesterday, and an auto ride to Milbrook in the afternoon. Fine luck!! Love, Fannie Monday Pete, when is Pertha R's birthday?
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-04-30
Text: April 30, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: We have actually come to my room to do nothing for a while. We are having a great time together. Thursday Helen and I just caught a car after fourth hour and got to the station in time to meet Louise and Henrietta. I got a sandwich at the station. Lucy met us at the Lodge, and I left Henrietta to her. They had lunch and I went to Lab. Henrietta went to EC Seminar with Lucy. I met them after Lab, we fooled around a little, and then Henrietta went...
Show moreApril 30, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: We have actually come to my room to do nothing for a while. We are having a great time together. Thursday Helen and I just caught a car after fourth hour and got to the station in time to meet Louise and Henrietta. I got a sandwich at the station. Lucy met us at the Lodge, and I left Henrietta to her. They had lunch and I went to Lab. Henrietta went to EC Seminar with Lucy. I met them after Lab, we fooled around a little, and then Henrietta went to song practice with me. As she says, "I seen my duty and I done it". That is, I staid long enough to sign up and avoid the one dollar fine and beat an unnoticed retreat. Then we came back here and dressed, and Lucy and Henrietta Butler and Jeannette and I went to dinner. Then we came back and ducked the others, and Lucy and Henrietta and I had a wonderful leisurely walk out on the cider mill road. It was a gorgeous night, and we wanted to see the sunset. Then we came back, and fooled around Senior Parlor and a little before ten Henrietta and I went over to the Lodge to sleep. I had engaged a double room. I thought it was more sociable than having her sleep there alonge, particularly because she always hesitates so to leave her family. I could tell that she was glad I did it. After we got to bed we talked deep stuff for quite a while and then went to sleep. Yesterday we got up about eight, had breakfast, and came over to the town meeting in Students'. Mayor MacCracken of Poughkeepsie prosided and the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the curriculum for Vassar Female College. It was very funny. All the faculy entered into the discussion. The time was just after the founding of the college. Then we went up to Lucy's room, and a whole bunch of us went on a wonderful picnic to Sunset. It was great. Helen and Louise came along. We had great sandwiches, etc. which we had gotten off campus. The weather was threatening, but it didn't rain. We then came home and rested a while, and then went to the County Fair in Students'. They had planned to have it outdoors, but by that time it was pouring. some of the old-fashioned custumes were great. Prexie was very sociable yesterday. He came out on the stage with Mr. Nichols of the music department and sange colored songs. He was all blackened up. He wa quite a mixer yesterday. Then the weather cleared up, and they had the baseball game. But there was no dry place to sit, and so we staid only a little while. It was just the same as last year. They had to stop on account of the rain and at that point the faculty were in the lead, fourteen to nothing. Last night Helen and I had the guests and a few others to the Lodge to dinner. In the evening we went to some good plays and stunts in Students'. Prexieperformed again. This morning we, Henrietta and I, walked around campus and saw most of what she hadn't seen yet, rooms in Joss., etc. She has been resting while I have been writing to you. We are having a great time together--only there was so much taling in here that I am afraid this letter is not very coherent. Must hurry to lunch now. Am going to go to Dr. B. tonight for the treatment. Thanks for the note. Henrietta told her faimily[sic] to call you up. I hope they did. I didn't have time to write Thursday. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-05-02
Text: May 2, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I ought to do Ec and Romance tonight, but I am too tired, so I think I will write to you and then go to bed instead. I spent three hours in lab this afternoon and the other hour of the afternoon at a class meeting. We all had a funny feeling when Kellogg told us that one of the things to do at the meeting was to nominate people for chairman of Junior Party for next year! I am analyzing some funny kind of medicine in lab now. At least it smells like...
Show moreMay 2, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I ought to do Ec and Romance tonight, but I am too tired, so I think I will write to you and then go to bed instead. I spent three hours in lab this afternoon and the other hour of the afternoon at a class meeting. We all had a funny feeling when Kellogg told us that one of the things to do at the meeting was to nominate people for chairman of Junior Party for next year! I am analyzing some funny kind of medicine in lab now. At least it smells like a medicine. From now on I have to analyze commercial stuff. We had an Ec written this morning and an awful Spanish written. She certainly sprang the unexpected on us. I have another idea for next year's course which I am thinking of very seriously. Having decided that Voltaire and Rousseau will entail too much repetition, and having decided that it is a crime to give up French,--if I don't go on with Spanish--what would you think of Victor Hugo and his Times". That is about the only other advanced course of any interest except Moliere, which doesn't appeal too much to my taste. R. S. V. P. Pete, my letters are going to rival yours in interest pretty soon. By the way--maybe I wasn't glad that I wasn't on an allowance when Henrietta was here! All of which reminds me that the letter to the bank was never returned to me. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 5/29/20
Text: May 29, 1029 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Well, I am still in the land of the living after taking that Latin exam, and I must say I am surprised. It was fiendish. The translations, two prepared and one sight, were quite easy, but there were slews of questions on history, mythological references, and comparisons of this thing of Vergil's with that of Horace's, etc, etc. It was quite tough on me inasmuch as I missed absolutely all of Horace and that is the only way to get the extra...
Show moreMay 29, 1029 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Well, I am still in the land of the living after taking that Latin exam, and I must say I am surprised. It was fiendish. The translations, two prepared and one sight, were quite easy, but there were slews of questions on history, mythological references, and comparisons of this thing of Vergil's with that of Horace's, etc, etc. It was quite tough on me inasmuch as I missed absolutely all of Horace and that is the only way to get the extra information (in class, I mean). If I had been given portions of Horace to translate, I could have done it all right, but naturally I did not have any general information on his odes and eopdes. And of course they won't be able to take that into account. It was very long, also. Tonight the Sophomores of Davison are giving its next year's Sophomores a party. We are to come as ten-year old children. I guess I shall wear my hair the good old way, and wear a middy and pin the skirt up. I expect to study English and history outdoors this afternoon. It is a beautiful day, cooler than yesterday. Mother, it is good that you are to leave word in the Messenger Room where to meet Mrs. Keyes, because she is so wonderful looking you might not recognize her! I think this business of borrowing my typewriter is being somewhat overdone. Carolyn Fay has had hers in Poughkeepsie being repared for the last month now. She did her semester tipic in psychology on mine. I did not object, inasmuch as hers was unavailable. But she has been borrowing it lately to earn money with. I think that is too much of a good thing. Coronas don't stand an indefinite amount of wear anyhow. I got my class picture today. I am awful on it, but then I got the class picture, not my picture, in getting it. I wonder if the rest of the faculty have been as ingenious in preparing the exams as the Latin department. I hope not. I guess that means a C for me in Latin. I am going off campus with Lucy for supper tomorrow night. I cannot stand another Sunday evening supper. You don't get enough to feed a bird on. See, I wish this week were over. I don't enjoy exams. No slam meant, Pete. Love, Fannie I just got a religious idea. I think all exams scheduled for the Sabbath should be done away with. I move your congregation make that motion, Pete.[enc. w/29 May 1920] Dear Mother, I have my second cold of the year. I suppose I got it by forgetting to shut the transom before going to sleep the other night when it was so hot. The other cold I had was during mid-years! I don't think I will need Miss Alice for very much, although I think that every year and then a lot turns up. Will you want her to make anything? You know it is very nice to have her alter the ready-made wash clothes, as they are always on a lot of warm, useless linings. I think a few slips will have to have new tops, but I don't think that I need any new ones as I use so few of them in winter. What I would like, if she can make them and if you can get any one to embroider them, is a few corset covers like yours, with very little fullness. I hate to have them bunch so, the way all ready-made ones do. However, that is not so important. I don't need any fancy short waists. All my very good ones are perfectly all right, it is the everyday ones that are wearing out. I would like to get rather neat and simple ones. They are the most useful around here, for sweaters, daily use, tennis, etc., for I am counting on enjoying life next fall.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-01-21 [1921]
Text: January 21, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have the pleasure to announce to you that I passed the Ec. written the other day. Considering that over half the people who take Baby Ec flunked it, I am quite proud of myself. Some of the best people in my class, and it is a spendid class, including Dorothea Schmidt, flunked it. The department marks on a basis of five, and I figured out by the marks next to each question and by the final marks at the end, (all of which had been erased...
Show moreJanuary 21, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have the pleasure to announce to you that I passed the Ec. written the other day. Considering that over half the people who take Baby Ec flunked it, I am quite proud of myself. Some of the best people in my class, and it is a spendid class, including Dorothea Schmidt, flunked it. The department marks on a basis of five, and I figured out by the marks next to each question and by the final marks at the end, (all of which had been erased but were distinguishable, that I had an average of four and a half. That is either B or B plus. It certainly was a corker. Father, do you remember the paragraph in the outline book about the fact that fixed capital hindered the adjustment of market price to normal value? We decided that it was unintelligible. Well, I had checked that in my book to ask about the next recitation, and then we got that as one of the three questions on the quiz. There was only one in all the classes who got it completely right. I put up a big bluff, not knowing what I was talking about, and got away with it, evidently. That is the one way I can blugg--on paper. If I try to doit in class my unconfident voice and facial expression give me away. Miss New Comer told us that the reason they gave this written was to show us where we stand before the exam. Most of us stand on trembling ground, I am afraid. We had to write for a half hour in chem this morning. I managed all right. As long as it is memory work, I am safe. Then after that he started firing questions at us. I excaped until just after the bell rang. He is hard of hearing, and very rarely hears the bell. I was going to tell him that it had rung, but I thought that was making it too evident that I preferred not trying to answer. Finally he called on another girl for something else, and she came forth very strongly the the answer, "Professor Moulton, the bell rang over five minutes ago". It was very funny--he thought so too. This morning in history class the Federal Convention discussed whether to abandon or amend the articles of Confederation. We had great fun. I advocated abandonning them, and the discussion became quite spirited. We all prefaced our speeches with remarks such as this, "As you no doubt know, I represent such and such a state, and my state elected me to do so and so. i feel that I am on my honor to see that this is done, and if you will not consider this, I feel it my duty to leave the convention." It was very funny at times. Our next history lession, for Tuesday, is to make out an exam. We all decided to make out easy ones, because we all have a feeling that it would be just like dear old Aunt Lucy to hand these papers out the day of the exam, instead of making one out herself! Dr. T. has been known to do that in physiology. I heard an intensely interesting lecture last night byDr. Haas (sorry I don't know his first name, Pete, but it was not announced), who worked for eight years in Adena. He spoke principally about the Turkish attitude in the Armenian massacres, and then he considered the method of overcoming this intense hatred of the Turks. He proposed doing it by deeds of love, and similar bunk. He told one story to illustrate the intensity of race hatred in the region in which he worked. He said on the big Mohammedan feast day every Mohommedan sacrifices a sheep to Allah and prays that as many Christians be killed that year as sheep have been sacrificed. On Easter every Christian tried to see how many Easter eggs he can eat, and prays that that year as many Mohannedans be killed as eggs have been eaten. And the Jew prays that both these prayers may be answered. I had never heard that story before, but I should imagine that it is a pretty true expression of the situation. And that is not so very much different from what the Zionists will encounter. I was telling Helen Reid after the lecture what the man had to say, and I also expressed my doubt of what could be accomplished by the love he advocated. I thought the two examples he cited of what it accomplished were glaring examples of the exception to the rule, and I said so, too. She said, maybe, but it sounded reasonable to her. About ten minutes later she happened to be talking about war relief, and she mentioned that she would never want to give a cent to Austrian war relief until every poor person in this country were taken care of. I asked her how she reconciled that attitude with what she had just said, that she believed in "turning the left cheek". (Isn't that the expression? I am not up in these religious discussions, you know!) Anyhow, she admitted she was stumped and that that system would not work in practice. Altogether it was a very interesting evening. I must get ready to go to town now. We decided to call on Miss Salmon this afternoon, and to walk down and back. It is quite warm. I am afraid that the ice is going to melt. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-10-08
Text: October 9, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have gobs and gobs to tell you, but only twenty minutes to do it in, so here goes. I worked all Friday afternoon and evening on my history topic and got it well under way. We left bright and early yesterday morning for Mohonk. I set my clock for six but it stopped during the night, so I had a great rush to get ready. Jane and I took our winter coats, and thought we were fools in doing so, but from the time we got on the open trolley at Newpalz...
Show moreOctober 9, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have gobs and gobs to tell you, but only twenty minutes to do it in, so here goes. I worked all Friday afternoon and evening on my history topic and got it well under way. We left bright and early yesterday morning for Mohonk. I set my clock for six but it stopped during the night, so I had a great rush to get ready. Jane and I took our winter coats, and thought we were fools in doing so, but from the time we got on the open trolley at Newpalz, or rather, Nighland, until we got back last night, we didn't take them off. Of course the sun was not out yet when we left, but it was too early. However, when we were about half way up it started to rain, and the whole time we were up there it poured and poured, and coming down it was not raining but it was ice cold and sopping wet under foot so that we could not ride. We went in a party of eight, all very congenial and foolish beyond words. We got a buggy or wagon, or whatever it is called, for eight. We had robes, (horse-blankets) and I was wearing woolen stockings and a winter coat, so that I really was not chilled, although it was as cold and penetrating as winter. Jane and I walked from the ferry back to college so as to warm up and we got back just as the dinner bell rang. Of course it was a shame that the weather was against us, but we had a really wonderful time notwithstanding. Everybody was in good spirits. I am glad I saw the lake and the rest of the scenery Freshman year, because it would be a pity to miss it. It was so foddy up there that we could barely make out the lake. Of course we couldn't get any pictures. We passed the time by exploring the hotel, a good hour's job. It is a wonderful establishment. An amusing thing happened up there after lunch. You know what a staid and proper place it is. A freshman was playing rag-time in the parlor and Grace Parker in my class, whose chief and having almost flunked out Freshman year,--but above all, being very, very well satisfied with herself--, came up to her and told her that they don't allow popular music in the hotel. Grace Parker was sporting a knicker-bocker suit, just for effect. Immediately one of the guests went up for the freshman, and asked her not to pay any attention to G. P.--he wondered whether people thought Mohonk was a morgue, and said that that girl had better learn how to dress before telling other people what to do, that he thought it a disgrace that wardens of Vassar should allow a girl dressed that way to come over there! I left college at eight-thirty this morning with Carolyn Burnham, played our golf match and a few more holes, prac-ticed a little while, and got back here at twelve o'clock. That is pretty good time. it was very cold, and very peppy for playing. My first three holes were very bad, but my game after that was quite respectable. We halved the first two, and from then on I won every hole, so that I had her nine up and seven to go. I do hope I stick on for a while in the tournament. The winner gets a cup. I am going to work all afternoon in the libe. When I got back last night there was a telegram from Jeannette saying that they haven't classes on Columbus day, so she will come up here Tuesday night and spend Wednesday instead of Sunday here. That suits me first rate. Last night we went to the stunt party in Students' which marked the formal opening of the endowment campaign. There has been an alumnae meeting here this week-end in connection with the coming campaign. It was very enjoyable, a repetition of the best things from all last year's performances. I saw Mrs. Keyes in chapel with her husband and daughter--in fact, they were sitting right next to me, that is in the guest seats and I was in my regular seat across the aisle from them. Katharine told me that they would look me up when her mother came up to this meeting, so I decided that I would not go up to them. They are too cold a bunch to suit me. But in Students' they had to get up to let me pass to my seat, and I was afraid she might recognize me, so I spoke to her. Middle name ought to be Refrigerator. She was coldly gracious, and asked to be remembered to you. She introduced me to her husband. He is very good-looking, and very commanding in appearance. I can't hand them too much. Give me Miss Hamilton any day. I was sorry afterwards that I spoke to her--I'm not so hard up that I have to worship at the feet of the mighty, and she surely does act as though she owns the world, and then some. Dr. Wise said that when the face gets rough, to discontinue for a while, but to use cream only on the neck. However, he wants the face somewhat rough--that is his idea. That is why he advised hand-sapolio, and vigorous rubbing. If you haven't asked anyone to the Princeton game and if there is no one that you are particularly anxious to ask, Pete, I'll go with you, but I really don't want you to sacrifice any particular pleasure for me. I know what a good time you had last year, and I don't want to keep you from it by any selfishness on my part. I won't go to both with you, so you ask someone else for Yale. It isn't that I don't want to be with you, but I want you to take someone else. It is somewhat of a rush for me, anyhow, but it is a manageable one. I want you to take someone to the Yale game, not me.I very rarely read the social page of the Times, so I did not notice about his charming friends. I imagine he will be charmed by a great many people before he is through. Your addressing Rauhs as Aarons amused me, because I was just about to hand my telegram to the Messenger Room official when I noticed that I had written Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Aaron! Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 5/27/20
Text: Love, and don't forget to get the [maximum] pleasure out of your exam. Couldn't you perhaps arrange for a few more?

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-11-15
Text: November 15, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Debate tryouts come tomorrow night, so if I don't write tomorrow you will know why. We had some Spanish lesson for today. I worked three hours on it and just did it very superficially. Most of the class did not even do that, though. I worked in the libe all afternoon, reading essays on the Romantic revival in poetry, and working on my beautifully indefinite history topic. We are having horribly cold and penetrating weather--I do wish the...
Show moreNovember 15, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Debate tryouts come tomorrow night, so if I don't write tomorrow you will know why. We had some Spanish lesson for today. I worked three hours on it and just did it very superficially. Most of the class did not even do that, though. I worked in the libe all afternoon, reading essays on the Romantic revival in poetry, and working on my beautifully indefinite history topic. We are having horribly cold and penetrating weather--I do wish the fur coat would come, if it is to be of any use to me. Please send me the address of the place, so that if it doesn't come this week, I can write about it. Lucy came up to me in the libe today to tell me that she and Harold went to Bill Wasserman's room immediately after the game and waited there until it was time for her train. She said that she knew I would like her to see you, etc. From the way she talked I don't think she knew that you had Grace there and I didn't tell her because you seemed to prefer mystery. She told me she met Some of Harold's friends--I could hardly keep a straight face, how I envy her(?)! I hope your letter about this game will be as interesting as the one about the last game. Thank you for the Red Cross button, Mother. It came just in time. I thought that after Miss Landon's report about what Professor Moulton thought about me, Mother, that any further questions would be useless. I have Miss Peebles in English mother. She has been here quite some time, but she is not old enough to have been faculty when you and Miss Hamilton were here. I don't think she is a Vassar graduate, either. We got approximately eight hundred dollars in the French collection. We were out for five hundred. It was quite a success. I have written to you at various times, I think, about the girl from Prague across the hall. She is a very fine girl and a very bright one, too, but I don't think her college education in America is going to be a particularly happy memory--she got a letter today informing her of her father's sudden death. That is sad enough in any case, but it must be terrible so ar away from home. I feel so sorry for her but there is nothing on earth to do for her I guess, except to leave her alone. The corridor is as silent as a tombstone.[enc w 15 nov 1920] Dear Papa: I have a lot to do tonight, but having your speech around and not reading it was too much for me. So I took a few minutes off and read it hastily. Of course I did not digest all the information and deep thought therein contained--how could that be done with so wonderful a speech unless much time and intelligent thought were spent upon it. Pap, you speech demonstrates conclusively the truth of the law that practice brings success. Compare your feebble attempt at Peabody high school over four years ago with the masterpiece produced at Harrisburg! Is it not ludicrous? Yes, indeed, I know that if you would but persevere in your noble efforts, I would some day be the daughter of a famous man, although I must admit, that at the outset judging by your early rate of progress, I feared it would be many years before that distinction might be achieved. But surprise sweetens success! Ah, father, that was a noble speech, even unto the odor of tobacco on the paper. What a sweet, dreamy odor that was, as though the speech had been preserved in the humidor! But, Father, did you say that you wrote that speech? Here Sherlock Holmes enters on the scene. Some of the wording had the familiar ring of the pet combinations of words of one frequent visitor at Winebiddle Avenue, of one who not infrequently makes speeches himself. And most shocking of all, some of the notes and even the last page of the speech was written in handwriting that I have seen before and that I connected with the above-mentioned person! Father, could it be?--ah no--I cannot concieve of your brain not being great enough to work out its own weighty thoughts. For my eyes were opened last year when Miss Cowley told me that I had a bright, wide-awake Father. I could not believe my ears when she said it, but then I concluded that she was older and more experienced that I and therefore more able to judge people. However, the evidence seems conclusive--it was not all the product of your genius. Tonight my poor tired brain has to work up a speech for tomorrow. More than ever I realize how mediocre is my own ability--how could I feel otherwise after reading your manuscript? Such is the sadness of contemplating from our humble vantage-ground the sphere of the great and mighty! Come to earth! 8:30 and Chem, Ec, and Spanish still to be done! Thou must not burn the midnight oil! Your overawed daughter,
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 10/16/19
Text: October 16, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Lester, you have a sense of humor like a fish. The letter which I called informational was of the "Got up, washed, went to bed" type. There is not much new to report. Mlle. Champy made a bunch of corrections on a paper which I did not get the point, so I go over to her room at five-thirty to find out about it. Might as well let the old lady know that I want to learn something, outside of getting marks. If I ever lost sight of the...
Show moreOctober 16, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Lester, you have a sense of humor like a fish. The letter which I called informational was of the "Got up, washed, went to bed" type. There is not much new to report. Mlle. Champy made a bunch of corrections on a paper which I did not get the point, so I go over to her room at five-thirty to find out about it. Might as well let the old lady know that I want to learn something, outside of getting marks. If I ever lost sight of the fact that you don't come to college for marks, I am being reminded of it every day. We are to have a lecture on Freshman English by Miss Wylie on Monday. The purpose is to make us realize the value of the course and what we are to get out of it. The following day Freshman English is to be redivided. Here is where I go into the booby question. I know that is what Miss Buck thinks of me. She is so indefinite that I have no been able to reveal any breat brilliancy in class. This letter was interrupted by the arrical of a long letter from Mlle. Douteau. She said she decided to intend to reveal to me her grand secret. Did she tell you when she spoke with you that she was engaged, and that the only reason she came back to America for a year was on account of the high cost of living in France. I must write to her--if I ever get the time. We are to have a Math quizz on Monday. Lester, about the seal. I certainly don't object to a second-hand one if it is not as old as Nassau Hall. I am looking forward eagerly to going to Mohonk. I imagine we will have one peach of a time. I just discovered now (you understand that this letter is being written in sections), that I am going over to Raymond to dinner tonight. One of our Freshman wanted a guest. You know we are allowed to have a guest from a different hall provided we send someone to that hall. So I volunteered to go. I guess Lucy and I will sit at the Freshman table and that will give me a good chance to get to know some other Freshies. Otherwise there is nothing new. Love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-05-14
Text: May 14, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: There isn't much to tell you after my volume of yesterday except that I sent the check to the Peabody fund. Third Hall was very beautiful, I say beautiful because I was sitting too far back to appreciate the acting to the full, but the coloring, costuming, and general effect, were splendid. There were eleven hundred guest tickets issued. I never realized before how many that theater could hold. I slept very late this morning, and went to the...
Show moreMay 14, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: There isn't much to tell you after my volume of yesterday except that I sent the check to the Peabody fund. Third Hall was very beautiful, I say beautiful because I was sitting too far back to appreciate the acting to the full, but the coloring, costuming, and general effect, were splendid. There were eleven hundred guest tickets issued. I never realized before how many that theater could hold. I slept very late this morning, and went to the libe to do some work, but I am no good at accomplishing anything on an empty stomach. I have been sitting outside for two hours this afternoon making my way through the Spanish novel. I shall continue after mailing this letter. Jake Shapira is up for the week-end with Helen. I saw him for a few minutes last night and for a few more this morning. Hlene doesn't know what to do with him to keep him from being bored. She seems to be having a hard time! Mother, if it isn't too late and if it isn't too much trouble could you send the grey crepe de chine dress that Miss Alice fixed? Love, Fannie How about Atlantic City?
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-01-25
Text: January 25, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I apologize most humbly for not writing yesterday. The only explanation I have it that I went walking fifth hour and did not get back as soon as I had expected and therefore had to hurry off to lab immediately. I did not realize until today that I had not written. I was in lab from two forty-five until five fifteen and I was some tired when I left. I cut chapel and slept during that time, then proceeded to work or quite a whil--longer than I...
Show moreJanuary 25, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I apologize most humbly for not writing yesterday. The only explanation I have it that I went walking fifth hour and did not get back as soon as I had expected and therefore had to hurry off to lab immediately. I did not realize until today that I had not written. I was in lab from two forty-five until five fifteen and I was some tired when I left. I cut chapel and slept during that time, then proceeded to work or quite a whil--longer than I wanted to. The debate clipping interested me very much, Lester. According to that, I shall come either officially or unofficially. Tryouts are very soon after exams. I am starting to appreciate Miss Salmon now. I guess I am glad that I am not dropping the course. She certainly has interested me a lot more since Christmas than she did before. Our work for today was to make out an exam, with a preface indicating what we thought the aim of a good exam paper should be. My paper took me an hour and a half to compose. It was a cork-er--I only hope that she doesn't give us back our own papers to answer as an exam! We all had decided that it would be just like her to do that, and that we would therefore make out as easy papers as possible. We felt sure, at any rate, that she would get ideas from our papers. So when she asked me this morning what her purpose in having us make out these papers had been I could hardly keep a straight face--it would have been very impolitic to say what I thought! My exam studying is one now. I am not cramming, but I have plenty to do. The contents of the laundry-case were very good, Mother. A little of that is all that is good for me face, but my neighbors think they are very good. Helen says, "Wasn't that nice of your Mother to get those there--now Dick can stay at college a day longer!" The only other news I have is that I need a new typewriter ribbon and that the Albert Shop are out of sweaters, but will have them again the middle of this week. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1922-10-14
Text: Octover 14, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I slept late this morning, to make up for my dissipation of the night before, worked in the libe a while, and then went to have a conference with Miss Ellery on my Renaissance topic. We talked most of the time about debating. She said she had enjoyed watching my improvement, and now I am good, because I "am not so cock-sure of myself to be obnoxious." You may be interested to know that when she asked me what I was going to do next...
Show moreOctover 14, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I slept late this morning, to make up for my dissipation of the night before, worked in the libe a while, and then went to have a conference with Miss Ellery on my Renaissance topic. We talked most of the time about debating. She said she had enjoyed watching my improvement, and now I am good, because I "am not so cock-sure of myself to be obnoxious." You may be interested to know that when she asked me what I was going to do next year I told her I didn't know yet, but it would be something at home. Suit you, Pop? She said the thing I need to do in the course is to cultivate my imagination--there is nothing wrong with my reasoning power but there is with my imagation. She is right. Now let's see if I can spell correctly in the next paragraph. I heard a good concert last night by the New York Trio--Clarence Adler, Piano; Scipione Guidi, Violin; and Corelius Van Vliet, Cello. The names are given for your benefit, Father. I have to work all afternoon on my topic. In my next laundry--changed my mind, don't bother. I wish--changed my mind about that, too. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-02-15
Text: February 15, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Nothing much new today except that I have survived the three debate tryouts to which everybody is entitled and am up for fourth Thursday night. I am up for my third tonight. I have to spend three hours this afternoon reading for it. Eighth hour I have to go to Prexy's baby History lecture on the medieval bower. I got a Romance cut this morning for it. I got a big box of muts and dates and figs from cousin Palunine yesterday. I have...
Show moreFebruary 15, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Nothing much new today except that I have survived the three debate tryouts to which everybody is entitled and am up for fourth Thursday night. I am up for my third tonight. I have to spend three hours this afternoon reading for it. Eighth hour I have to go to Prexy's baby History lecture on the medieval bower. I got a Romance cut this morning for it. I got a big box of muts and dates and figs from cousin Palunine yesterday. I have already thanked her for it. I was so tired last night that I had to go to bed without getting any work daone. That is the trouble with debate, but I guess if other people can get away wit it, I can, too. The only thing that should keep me from making it would be not having time enough to gather sufficient dope on the subject. The telephone number of Davison is "Poughkeepsie 685. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-10-18
Text: October 18, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have five minutes to pound until the ten o'clock bell. I was very glad to get the telegram from you today, Mother, and also to hear about Father in your two letters. Is he a well-behaved patient? Pete, I don't know what is not clear to you about the games. I wrote to you as explicitly as possible, saying that I would go Princeton with you on the fifth, but that debate is on the twelfth and that I therefore could not go to New Haven....
Show moreOctober 18, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have five minutes to pound until the ten o'clock bell. I was very glad to get the telegram from you today, Mother, and also to hear about Father in your two letters. Is he a well-behaved patient? Pete, I don't know what is not clear to you about the games. I wrote to you as explicitly as possible, saying that I would go Princeton with you on the fifth, but that debate is on the twelfth and that I therefore could not go to New Haven. I am going to try out for debate and I ought to have a good chance of making it, therefore it would be ridiculous for me to say that I would go with you and then probably not be able to leave college. That is what I wrote to you on Sunday. i did not care to mention debate in a telegram going from the messenger room in college because it would sound too conceited. I thought that the understanding was all along that I would go the Princeton Harvard game on the fifth, but not to the Yale game on the twelfth. I am very, very sorry to have caused you any trouble. Why not take Grace to the Yale game? I had a busy day today, lots of work, two hours of lab, and a class meeting. I also had my conference with Miss Ellory. It was most interesting--if I were given to hyperbole, I might also say inspiring, but it was not quite that. She went over my topic breifly, told me that it was excellent, and that unless she was very much mistaken I had gotten a great deal of pleasure out of doing it. She was not mistaken. I thought myself it was a good topic. She said, moreover, that unless she was very much mistaken again, i got a great deal of pleasure out of things of the mind, and out of using my mind. She said that she realized she knew me only slightly, but that she had listened to me debate on several occasions and realized that I had a very logical mind, etc. The funny part of it is that she is so extremely scholarly that she is not given to flattery. I almost popped. She asked me about my outside interests, my plans for after college, which unfortunately I could not tell her anything about, and just what I wanted to get out of the course. Among others things we decided that I was to follow as my line of side-work and year's topic the literary movement of the period, thus keeping up my French. Don't you think that is a good idea? She then proceeded to show the various ways I could connect that course with my English one. It was a great half hour. The cold medicine came special from Welsh's. Thank you for it. I had a box here--I guess I did not make that clear, but I wanted either another box or the prescription for future use. Love, Fannie [Over]I am sending my laundry - Wed. AA.M. there is a not in it - darn, not mend, woolen stocks. they are bad but will do for hiking, golf, etc. Also <darn> mend leg of flannel pajamas
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: [1923-01-08]
Text: [8 Jan 1923] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: This time you are right, Father, and I am wrong-- I never have been quite as tired as I am today. We got in at nine instead of ten of seven, and I arrived at Main as the bell rang for my first class. I slept in train style from twelve to six, when we arrived at Albany and were duly banged around. I got breakfast on the train. The snow is very deep--that is why we were late. I am glad I went to Buffalo but I don't think I would do it again in a...
Show more[8 Jan 1923] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: This time you are right, Father, and I am wrong-- I never have been quite as tired as I am today. We got in at nine instead of ten of seven, and I arrived at Main as the bell rang for my first class. I slept in train style from twelve to six, when we arrived at Albany and were duly banged around. I got breakfast on the train. The snow is very deep--that is why we were late. I am glad I went to Buffalo but I don't think I would do it again in a hurry. I never appreciated before how nice it is to get back a day before work starts. We were met at the station by a young Semitic neighbor of Elizabeth's--she had company and couldn't leave. He took us and one suitcase in his two-seater Ford coupe down to Brocks' house, in the Buffalo Squirrel Hill. She had a mob of company, which I met and talked to for a while. If they are Buffalo's elites, as they are, I think, Buffalo hasn't much to offer. They are an awfully cheap looking bunch, and they don't act much better. Four of her friends took us out to dinner--Kro arrived ahead of us from Detroit. I prefer even the drunks of Pittsburgh to them--they were impossible, although I think Helen liked them. One's name was Herbet Weil and two of them were Sapperstons, or some such thing. They all said their parents were going down to New York to a Jewish convention next week--did you meet them in Buffalo two years ago, Father? Then they came home and played bridge for a little while and then we left. I hardly saw her mother at all--she kept herself in the other room--if she thought I preferred the gentlemen, she was mistaken. I am glad I went if for no other reason that I am very much more satisfied with Pittsburgh than I ever was before, and I guess that is worth something. Incidentally, their conversation centered around who was stewed when and where and how--national Jewish theme--Rypins might try it instead of prejudice in the colleges! I shall now try to go to sleep--it would be ridiculous to try to work. How was Mr. Hurwitz at dinner? Also, how were the dinner parties, were being future tense? Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1921-10-24]
Text: [Postmarked 24 Oct 1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am not in my own room, and I am using a borrowed "Fox", so excuse the mess. I just heard an exceedingly interesting lecture by Mrs. Snedeker, great-granddaughter of Robert Owen, on New Harmony. Otherwise I have wasted the day. I seemed to be too sleepy to get anything accomplished. I have a raft to do tonight, and also a debate council meeting. I hope it will not last too long. I understand the Barnard debate chairman was up...
Show more[Postmarked 24 Oct 1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am not in my own room, and I am using a borrowed "Fox", so excuse the mess. I just heard an exceedingly interesting lecture by Mrs. Snedeker, great-granddaughter of Robert Owen, on New Harmony. Otherwise I have wasted the day. I seemed to be too sleepy to get anything accomplished. I have a raft to do tonight, and also a debate council meeting. I hope it will not last too long. I understand the Barnard debate chairman was up here as one of their two disarmament delegates, and she is strong for the League of Nations as the subject for debate this year. The Speakers' Bureau meeting the other night was a bore. Miss C. Mildred Thompson spoke for a half hour at least on the faculty of interesting one's audience, and with each sentence she bored me more. Harriette's letter radiates intelligence and scholarship! Otherwise I know nothing. I play my gold match tomorrow afternoon. Love, FannieDear Mother, As to Lester's letter relative to going to Princeton or going to Philadelphia for the night. I must say I don't know what to do. Her letter will probably come in the morning. At least it has not come yet. Leaving everything out of the question but myself, I should certainly want to go over there for the night. I have heard about the famous M. for so long that I really would like to make her acquaintance. I am not keen about going over to Princeton alone Friday night, and having to stay in some noisy joint alone with Maggie. I must confess I have a great curiosity to meet the family and see where they live, etc. But leaving myself ouot of the question, it seems to me that the invitation indicates a great desire to get to know Lester's sister, and I don't want to appear to be crazy about doing something which they might think I was doing purely for Lester's sake, that he wanted me to go over there. Perhaps there is no ground for this thought, I don't know. Lester says very plainly that he wants me to do one or the other. I think myself that either will be very interesting and a lot of fun. Personally, I should a lot prefer going to Phila. It will be more comfortable, and a lot more interesting.I can go back to Woodmere with Aunt Bessie and Uncle Ike Saturday afternoon. I could get to Phila. by nine-fifteen Friday, night. I should like a lot to do it, for Lester's sake and my own if you think it is within the limits of propriety and wisdom to accept the invitation. Moreover, Lester seemed annoyed about the misunderstanding and delay about going to the games, so I certainly want to do this time what he wants. Answer immediately either by special or by telegram, as I do not want to keep him waiting for an answer.Mother Mother
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: Feb. 1
Text: [Addessed to Mother @ Hotel Royal Poinciana] January 31, I mean February 1, and I have not got an eraser. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I went coasting yesterday afternoon for about three quarters of an hour. It was wonderful, all right. It was at least eleven below zero, if not more. When we came back we warmed up on some condensed milk cocoa. Somehow or other, it is the first time I have ever bothered making it, but it certainly went to the right place. I went to Main for dinner, and...
Show more[Addessed to Mother @ Hotel Royal Poinciana] January 31, I mean February 1, and I have not got an eraser. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I went coasting yesterday afternoon for about three quarters of an hour. It was wonderful, all right. It was at least eleven below zero, if not more. When we came back we warmed up on some condensed milk cocoa. Somehow or other, it is the first time I have ever bothered making it, but it certainly went to the right place. I went to Main for dinner, and after that we went to the great entertainment, the Douglas Fairbanks movie, in Students. We then came back, fooled around here a while, went to bed, and that is the end of the story. I am forwarding a letter from the Board of Education to the Nassau Inn for you, Father. Father, what should I do about the medicine from New York? The number of the prescription is 489277, Nauheim Pharmacy, 750 Lexington Ave. at 59th St., in case you can attend to it on your way back. Have it filled to twice the amound[sic] in the perscription. If you cannot do it, perhaps Aunt Bessie can some day. I will probably have enough to last until next Saturday. It surely was cold last night. I had all my covers and a flannel nightgown, and still I had to get up before sunrise and close two of my windows. This is some weather. My schedule came yesterday. It makes me mad. All my classes are left for the same hour except Latin, and I suppose that change was caused by the fact that some are taking prose and some are not. At any rate it was shifted from second hour on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to sixth hour, over at twenty-five minutes to four, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. That makes going to the doctor's on Fridays impossible under any circumstances. The 3N58 is catchable by means of a taxi. I don't care one bit whether I take prose or not, but I did figure that those taking prose would have Latin the same hour. So did the others, but it looks as though we figured wrong. The loaf is almost over--it certainly has been a restful one. I hope Grandpa is still improving. I got your first letter from Palm Beach yesterday. Pete, I hope you'll soon be better also. Love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 3/6/20
Text: March 6, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I loafed around all yesterday afternoon, and it was good. You don't appreciate a week-end to loaf in until it is taken away from you. L'Aiglon was wonderful last night. It was not over until twelve-fifteen. Clifford Sellers was Merrernich and Edith Meiser was the Duke. She made Clifford look decidedly like an amateur, she was so wonderful. It was great. When I went over to Students it was raining as hard as it ever does in summer, and...
Show moreMarch 6, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I loafed around all yesterday afternoon, and it was good. You don't appreciate a week-end to loaf in until it is taken away from you. L'Aiglon was wonderful last night. It was not over until twelve-fifteen. Clifford Sellers was Merrernich and Edith Meiser was the Duke. She made Clifford look decidedly like an amateur, she was so wonderful. It was great. When I went over to Students it was raining as hard as it ever does in summer, and when we came out the snow was at least six inches deep. It stormed all night, and today again the college is under Dr. T's orders to stay in the buildings. I thought the snow was over for the year, but I thought wrong. Your telegrams recieved this morning. Thank you. I hope you will get home all right in this weather. Love, [F.]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-11-20
Text: November 30, 1920 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have the pleasure(?) of announcing a 68 on my chem written, the next highest mark in the class. The highest was 70% The general average was 43% There was one 14% I didn't miss anything last Wednesday. Professor Moulton returned the papers and spent the whole hour giving the class the dickens. He decided to call the highest marks the equivalents of A's. Therefore I get A on the written! And I thought for several weeks that I was the...
Show moreNovember 30, 1920 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have the pleasure(?) of announcing a 68 on my chem written, the next highest mark in the class. The highest was 70% The general average was 43% There was one 14% I didn't miss anything last Wednesday. Professor Moulton returned the papers and spent the whole hour giving the class the dickens. He decided to call the highest marks the equivalents of A's. Therefore I get A on the written! And I thought for several weeks that I was the worst in the class! Evidently there is something the matter somewhere. We had a short debate meeting yesterday afternoon and we have practice debate after chapel tonight. The chairman told me this morning that there was a general geeling abroad that the negatives and no show and that therefore our class would not have to work at all, so she was putting me and two others on the negative tonight in order to make them sit up and work a little. I don't know if that means anything in the way of speaking the night of the debate or not. Let's hope so. No letter from you yet, Mother. I have heaps and heaps to do. I went to bed after chapel last night and read in bed till ten o'clock. I have almost finished the reading for the week. The packages from Horne's and McKennan's arrived yesterday. Please send your scarf in the next laundry, Mother. If you don't need it-that is. It is great using other people's typewriters. Every two keyboards are different, it seems. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-03-10
Text: March 10, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am due over in Students' with my debate nurse now, so this will have to be very brief. I had an Ec conference from twelve thirty until lunch time and four classes this morning, so I did not have time to write this morning. I have at least two hours of lab this afternoon. It is a wonderful day--I hate to spend it in lab! I do hope you are getting along all right, Mother. I was surprised that you celebrated to soon. Father is too good a...
Show moreMarch 10, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am due over in Students' with my debate nurse now, so this will have to be very brief. I had an Ec conference from twelve thirty until lunch time and four classes this morning, so I did not have time to write this morning. I have at least two hours of lab this afternoon. It is a wonderful day--I hate to spend it in lab! I do hope you are getting along all right, Mother. I was surprised that you celebrated to soon. Father is too good a bluff. Will probably write more tonight. I had a great letter from Miss Hamilton in reply to mine telling her the date of the debate. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: [1923-05-29]
Text: [29 May 1923] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: As you know, exam time is the time when my letters are always most boring. Worked on my Tolerance topic yesterday all day except for an hour that I took off for a walk, and a half hour while Jane appeared on the scene. She is going a semester Shakespeare topic in two days on Shapespeare's[sic] conception of tragedy, based on Aristotle--out of her head, without using any books! I think that's quite one of the funniest things I've...
Show more[29 May 1923] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: As you know, exam time is the time when my letters are always most boring. Worked on my Tolerance topic yesterday all day except for an hour that I took off for a walk, and a half hour while Jane appeared on the scene. She is going a semester Shakespeare topic in two days on Shapespeare's[sic] conception of tragedy, based on Aristotle--out of her head, without using any books! I think that's quite one of the funniest things I've heard in a long time. Spent the entire morning reading Smith's "Age of the Reformation" in preparation for my Thursday exam. It was most enjoyable. Love, Fannie Tuesday
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-02-21
Text: February 21, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Off to that darn old lab in about two minutes! Millsy announced this morning that in the normal course of things we should have to write this morning, but that he realized how hard it would be on the juniors and therefore how futile the result would be, so he postponed the written for one week. That was very considerate of him, to day the least. I understand he had such a good time Saturday night that probably she he realized that the juniors...
Show moreFebruary 21, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Off to that darn old lab in about two minutes! Millsy announced this morning that in the normal course of things we should have to write this morning, but that he realized how hard it would be on the juniors and therefore how futile the result would be, so he postponed the written for one week. That was very considerate of him, to day the least. I understand he had such a good time Saturday night that probably she he realized that the juniors were not spending their time grinding on Ec. I am up for debate tomorrow night again. I imagine that means I have made the team. The elimination seems to to be completem but that is merely speculation. Nobody has said so definitely. Caroline Whitney told me today that I should not have run off Saturday afternoon after I finished ancing with her friend, that she had a long list of people she was expecting to introduce me to! Think what I missed! Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-10-01
Text: October 1, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It may interest you to know that the monitor system in chapel has been abolished and that the honor system has been restored. Week-ends are no longer to count as two cuts, so that gives us fifteen cuts straight. Why do you say that the other two girls are an improvement on M? I know they are, but was she snippy when you called her up, or what? I'll have to study some Spanish pronunciation over the week-end. We go at a lightning speed, and...
Show moreOctober 1, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It may interest you to know that the monitor system in chapel has been abolished and that the honor system has been restored. Week-ends are no longer to count as two cuts, so that gives us fifteen cuts straight. Why do you say that the other two girls are an improvement on M? I know they are, but was she snippy when you called her up, or what? I'll have to study some Spanish pronunciation over the week-end. We go at a lightning speed, and I was not there the first day to get all the fancy rules. I got your telegram when I came back at noon, Mother. Thank you. I thought I saw some of those books up in the third floor. I'll order them through the book-story. It is pouring today and has been all night. It is ugly and damp. i read all yesterday afternoon and managed to finish three hundred of the four hundred pages of "The Rescue". We did not discuss it at all today, so evidently we are to finish for the next time. Part of our history work for today was to make inquiries about the various nationalities at Vassar and in Poughkeepsie. I opened your letter and found the clipping about the subject as I was walking into class! I have to do chem, history, and ec this afternoon. My letters, I fear, are tending to become as thrillingly interesting as Pete's. Love, Pete, a gooseneck is a lamp with a flexible tree trunk. Get me? They are used for studying, for burning the midnight electricity, if you are capable of doing that. Wishing you the same. Pete, Miss Smith asked for you most solicitously. You made quite a hit.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-05-26
Text: [Addressed to Hotel Ambassador] May 26, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Let me warn you now--this is going to be one thrilling letter! I am not as hard pressed for time as I thought I would be because I don't have to repeat that lengthy lab experiment. I have to go extra time, though, in order to finish up the semester's work. So far the schedule that I mapped out for myself for this week is working all right. I handed in my Spanish topic this morning. I think it was pretty...
Show more[Addressed to Hotel Ambassador] May 26, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Let me warn you now--this is going to be one thrilling letter! I am not as hard pressed for time as I thought I would be because I don't have to repeat that lengthy lab experiment. I have to go extra time, though, in order to finish up the semester's work. So far the schedule that I mapped out for myself for this week is working all right. I handed in my Spanish topic this morning. I think it was pretty good. I plan to do most of the history one today. Prexie gave the romance sections a very interesting lecture yesterday afternoon on the Chaucerian Renaissance. He certainly has Miss Peebles skinned, if that is a sample of what he is like in class in that course. It is too bad that he is not giving it this year. The following hour I went to a mock trial held by the class in journalism, Prexie was judge. Two members of the class were convicted of plagermism[sic]. It was very amusing. Prexie came down off his horse remarkably well. He certainly has a good sense of humor. The dress, shoes, and laundry all arrived Mother. The sweater did also. Dr. Baldwin sends you her best regards, Mother. So do I. The elections for hall presidents took place over the weekend. Harriet Haynes is president of Davison for next year. She is my choice. It seems funny to think that we have already elected our class officers for junior year and that we are about to elect our chairman of junior party--and funniest of all, that now that tree ceremonies have taken place, wer are considered an upper-class! You were right, Father, when you said, that when I graduate I will be the biggest baby that ever graduated from Vassar College! Please return the clipping, Mother. I am sending it, not to follow Pete's example, but to show you how different our tree ceremonies are from what yours were. I must beat it to lab now. Give my love to Marse, and tell him I hope he likes the food at the Traymore! I hope your speech goes off all right Father, so that you will be a credit to your son. It would be awful to disgrace him, you know. Please take care of yourself, and the ehirred[sic] eggs. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1922-04-17
Text: April 17, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Thanks very much for you letter, Mother. It came in the morning mail with the card mailed in New York. I do hope the new find will lead to something. I am certainly sick of my usual state of discomfort. You needn't worry about my over-exwercsising [sic]. I won't have time for any such thing. Let me know what Dr. Z. has to say. What does knowing where the spot is whence the trouble comes, prove--I bet it is next to impossible to do...
Show moreApril 17, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Thanks very much for you letter, Mother. It came in the morning mail with the card mailed in New York. I do hope the new find will lead to something. I am certainly sick of my usual state of discomfort. You needn't worry about my over-exwercsising [sic]. I won't have time for any such thing. Let me know what Dr. Z. has to say. What does knowing where the spot is whence the trouble comes, prove--I bet it is next to impossible to do anything for it. How about it? Helen does not want to spend more than $15 for H. Butler, and I think that is enough myself. $30 ought to get a pretty nice present if you think that is too little, then get something for me alone and put my card in. Her address is, 54 Kinsbury Place, St. Louis. I have no idea what is a nice present--I should think you could pick up something at Reizenstein's. Let me know what you do. Peggy Higgins and I came up together Sunday night, and needless to say, there was no studying done by either. She told me about Amherst from A. to Z. They had a marveloustime. They had an audience of 300. The debaters told them they aren't sed to speaking to more than ten or fifteen people. But most of the audience were town people and Smith girls. The debaters were very involved economists, says Peggy, and had they had Vassar's delivery, they would have won. They picked the judges and planned everything they had to say for their prejudices! They admitted it. But Wohlmann couldn't come and they got a Smith prof instead, so they lost! The manager said to her afterwards, "Well, if W. had come, we would have won the debate!" Nice stuff. I haven't time to write any more about it. We had a one hour meeting last night to decide about the time of the Brown debate. An exhibition of aesthetic dancing--someone from N. Y.--has been planned for the same night for the Endowment Fund. We held out last night, but I'm afraid we'll have to give in and have it at 4 P. M. Saturday. I shall have to do some work on it pretty soon. Helen is home again. Slept two hours yesterday afternoon. I'm still waking up at sunrsie. That's where Tennyson goes! Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 2/15/20
Text: February 15, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I had a lot of work to do yesterday, and after I finished running around for Lucy, I worked. After lunch I helped swell the crowd coasting on Sunset for the benefit of the movie man. I came into the soap palace, covered with snow and looking like a first class tough, when Lucy and Howard came along, and literally dragged me into the Main parlors with them to their ice-cream party. Edith Lowman and her Gutwillig friend from N. Y whom I cannot...
Show moreFebruary 15, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I had a lot of work to do yesterday, and after I finished running around for Lucy, I worked. After lunch I helped swell the crowd coasting on Sunset for the benefit of the movie man. I came into the soap palace, covered with snow and looking like a first class tough, when Lucy and Howard came along, and literally dragged me into the Main parlors with them to their ice-cream party. Edith Lowman and her Gutwillig friend from N. Y whom I cannot hand too much, Jeannette F, Charles R., Helen J, Ruth Franklin, and I were the party. I was not particularly thrilled. I then did a little work in the libe, and dressed to go over to the informal dancing at four. I had the job of entertaining Howard in the Raymond parlors until Lucy was ready. The dancing was fun, although I lack the necessary nerve to enjoy it to the utmost. It was cut-in dancing, and the girls did the cutting-in, Of course I would not cut in on any but those two, although most girls cut in on anyone, as long as she knew the girl of the couple. It is time for the mail to go, and I am due at Helen Reid's costume Valentine paty[sic]. I have loads to tell you about the prom, but it will keep. I shall be extremely busy next week, so my letters will be short.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1923-04-13
Text: [Addressed to Hotel Traymore] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I spent the entire day yesterday, except for one class, working on debate I feel as if I have done practically all the reading necessary on the subject! Bish and I are going down together on the 5:08. The rest are going earlier. We shall all meet at the Pa station. I'm off for a shampoo now. Love, Fannie April 13. Give my love to Henrietta. Will Lucy want a room for Saturday night, too. I prefer not having her sleep here. I...
Show more[Addressed to Hotel Traymore] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I spent the entire day yesterday, except for one class, working on debate I feel as if I have done practically all the reading necessary on the subject! Bish and I are going down together on the 5:08. The rest are going earlier. We shall all meet at the Pa station. I'm off for a shampoo now. Love, Fannie April 13. Give my love to Henrietta. Will Lucy want a room for Saturday night, too. I prefer not having her sleep here. I shall be at Florence Clothier's, Wynnewood, Pa.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1922-03-01
Text: March 1, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Just to show you that I still know how to write letters even though I have not the time to do so! I have a social psych written first hour tomorrow, debate practice tomorrow night, and an otherwise full day. I will be third negative speaker as well as negative manager. And I still have as the sume total of my knowledge the Wood-ForbesCommission report! We had a "hash" meeting this afternoon. We will have to eat Barnard alive. Two things...
Show moreMarch 1, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Just to show you that I still know how to write letters even though I have not the time to do so! I have a social psych written first hour tomorrow, debate practice tomorrow night, and an otherwise full day. I will be third negative speaker as well as negative manager. And I still have as the sume total of my knowledge the Wood-ForbesCommission report! We had a "hash" meeting this afternoon. We will have to eat Barnard alive. Two things worry me--one is that I can't see the negative of the question by any manner of thinking--from my limisted evidence of conditions--I can't see the harm of giving the Philippines their independence right away if the want it, as they certainly do. Anybody who has any brilliant suggestions to offer may do so--they will be gratefully recieved. The other point that bothers me is that I certainly have the two worst of the six speakers on my side, and I think we have the harder case to argue. I have had a full day today, every hour busy. I just spent an hour catching up on the newspapers, and shall spend the evening reading a book on the Filippines by a Filippino for background.Munro's exam may be all right, Pete, but I'm glad I didn't have to take it. I think it is good in that educational tendencies certainly are drifting away from fact-knowledge more than is good for one's mental state--according to my way or thinking. Therefore stuff like that is good, every now and then. Nevertheless, I prefer V. C. exams. I object to having Ashinsky called "cheif rabbit of Pittsburgh", in the N. Y. Times or anywhere else. I guess you will miss him, Mother. I noticed that you forgot the books, Mother, and I in turn hurry, forgot to put them in the laundry which I sent today. i shall do so next week. Miss Smith took me into her room to show me your tulips. She seemed most pleased, etc. i wish I had time to write more, but I didn't even have this much time. in case you should be writing to Aunt Bessie, please don't mention that I am debating at Barnard, because Unle Ike once said that if I should go there, he would most certainly come in to hear me, and I don't want him there. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [Sept. 27]
Text: [Sept. 27] Dear Mother, Frather[sic], and Pete: I shall use the half hour before lunch to write to you, and perhaps then I can get a real letter off. Before I forget, Helen heard from the woman they know in Poughkeepsie that there is to be English and English sermon Friday night. In that case, we are going. I just came in from a pretty good game of tennis with Ruth Franklin. The game was arranged otherwise, but it turned out at the appointed time that she and I were the only ones up, so we...
Show more[Sept. 27] Dear Mother, Frather[sic], and Pete: I shall use the half hour before lunch to write to you, and perhaps then I can get a real letter off. Before I forget, Helen heard from the woman they know in Poughkeepsie that there is to be English and English sermon Friday night. In that case, we are going. I just came in from a pretty good game of tennis with Ruth Franklin. The game was arranged otherwise, but it turned out at the appointed time that she and I were the only ones up, so we played. When I came back, my name was up for hockey, but I could not do everything, so I crossed it out. I was not tired, but Miss Thompson's office closes at twelve, and I have gone there so often and not found her that I decided that was more important. She sent me to the Dean's office, the old correspondence is kept there. They hunted and found the various letters. Miss White had already been there lookin to see if my schedule could be changed. So it would seem from that that she wants to change me. I shall take the list over to her room sometime today. Father, if Mother is home, she will tell you what this is about,-- otherwise it is a secret. I agree with you, Mother, that if I am not changed, it won't do me any harm. On the other hand, if I am changed, I don't think I'll flunk it either. I was asked so urgently to go to Henrietta Seitner's room last night that I could not refuse. Gee whizz, she is Mrs. Spear's niece, and Jimmie's cousin, all right. Yesterday afternoon I had my first whack at field hockey. It is good fun, but of course no one is brilliant at first. I hope that I don't get a notice to quit too soon, because it is fine exercise. We had chocolate pudding for dessert last night. That seems to be the college treat. It was good, though. Unless I don't remember rightly, I turn my nose up at the stuff at home. I asked at the general warden's office. Miss Smith, and the housekeeper about my chain. None had had it turned in. This morning I asked out maid. She found it in the bathroom and took it to her room to have clained[sic]. She said she told one of the girls to find out who lost it. The housekeeper told me she was sure this girl would turn it in if she found it. So I donated the dollar to her. I dropped in on Lucy for a few minutes yesterday. Professor Mills officiated in chapel last night. I think, although I am four rows from the end, I am in a part of the building where the accoustics are good. I shall take a note to Miss Abbott to the Messenger Room today.Lester, if you add your rug to your room-furnishing bill, I think you will be more than I am. Mother can tell you what things cost. The plates, the fruit dish, and the lemon squeezer came today. Everything is very nice. The book-case came yesterday. It is alos[sic] fine. The pictures came today--so are they. I don't like that stomach-achy expression on your picture, though, Father. Please have another taken. The pencil-sharpener will do. Later on I will fasten it to something. I have not been able to take the medicine yet, because I am not here an hour after meals. Mother, did you have any money left when you finished buying candy? I am enjoying what you sent to me. Lucy told me in great excitement that you had sent her some. So did Helen, Miss Smith, Dorothea and Louise Hewson. Louise left an awfully nice note about you on more door, but I must have thrown it away. You made quite a hit. Gertrude Allen across the hall was very sorry she missed you to say good-bye. I got the mileage book today, also the package from Mme. Schwartz. I had a fine job last night--I did not have a chance to be homesick myself. I met Duffie Schulman, Helen's roommate going to chapel, and she said that she happened to be in the telephone room when my call came, and they were trying to locate me in Main. She told them I was in Davison. Meanwhile I had gone to chapel, so when I came back I got the New York operator. Finally, when I was waiting for you, the girl across the hall was half crazy waiting for a call that they had not gotten her for.The person that took the call said her home was calling, and she was perfectly sure someone was dying. Finally, when she did get the call it was her uncle in Cornwall. It is not much fun telling a girl all the possible reasons why the person may still be living. Then that fool Katheryn Gardner across the hall came to inform me she had the blues, so I tried to get her around. Imagine me playing the role of comforter for that illness! It seems that I will not be allowed to catch it. Marion Gratz left a note for me asking me to go to the Freshman reception with her in the open-air theatre this afternoon. Here's where I feel my own stupidity again. I don't believe all Junior XYZ's are like that. Love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1922-06-04]
Text: [postmarked 4 June 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am awfully sorry that in my great rush yesterday I forgot to drop you the card which I wrote the day before for the ocasion. I shall wire you tonight. Please bring the exams home with you, Pete. I want them back, absolutely. I thought both the exams in Zo were very fair, only very long. At least in the Zo 12 exam I did both the volution questions, and they took a long time. I stuided[sic] three hours in the aft for history, three in...
Show more[postmarked 4 June 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am awfully sorry that in my great rush yesterday I forgot to drop you the card which I wrote the day before for the ocasion. I shall wire you tonight. Please bring the exams home with you, Pete. I want them back, absolutely. I thought both the exams in Zo were very fair, only very long. At least in the Zo 12 exam I did both the volution questions, and they took a long time. I stuided[sic] three hours in the aft for history, three in the evening, and two this morning before the exam. It was most interesting--little did I ever think that I would say that, Pete! Only I mismanaged my time and had a terrible rush getting through. I had to top for a while today--and went off for lunch, then played tennis, took a back, and straightened up many essential things. I shall do J tonight, and J and Psych tomorrow. The worst of the rush is over. As I stuided[sic] for my exams this semester and realized what wonderful courses I have had, I cannot help feeling that my course cannot be as good next year! I do hope it will be. This semester has been great, in every way. The underwear fits better than what you sent last week. I hope you kept the other five sets at home. I'm terribly sorry I neglected to try it till today.Laundry came today. I sent mine home this week. I had intended to do with the trunks what you wrote. I had a long letter from Henrietta Butler from Paris today. She certainly is having a wonderful trip. I engaged a room for you at Miss Mullaly's for Wednesday night, Mother. You asked what my plans are, Pete. I finish exams at one o'clock Tuesday. I then pack till I finish. Mother arrives Wednesday. We leave e ther Thursday morning or afternoon for New York. Beyond that I have no definite plans, except that I would like to come back for the four days of Miss Hamilton's convention after Commencement, if at all convenient. I got an invite from Al Goorin for the Pi Tau Pi dance, June sixteenth. That poor dumb-bell must think a slap in the face is a pat! i shall write that I may not be home yet then. Love Fannie Thanks for the telegram, Mother.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1922-01-19
Text: 203 Davison House, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., January 19, 1922. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I wanted to see what it feels like to write a methodical letter, and I didn't suppose I could get away with it beyond the first paragraph, so I put on a grand and glorious heading. It makes me feel like you, Pete, and hence very brainy and superior. It is a good think I feel that way now, because I go to J next hour, and there isn't much chance of my keeping on feeling that way....
Show more203 Davison House, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., January 19, 1922. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I wanted to see what it feels like to write a methodical letter, and I didn't suppose I could get away with it beyond the first paragraph, so I put on a grand and glorious heading. It makes me feel like you, Pete, and hence very brainy and superior. It is a good think I feel that way now, because I go to J next hour, and there isn't much chance of my keeping on feeling that way. I have been very busy lately. I just now finished reading the chapter in James in "Will" and have found out how to make up my mind not to be so busy in the future. The most important thing that has transpired lately was a delicious one dollar dinner at the Inn Tuesday night with Helen. We have had absolutely impossible food since vacation. The chef is sick, and we have a new one. I think he ought to be bounced. I haven't done anything worth talking about since my last letter--that is why I am taking up space saying nothing. Have you heard anything about Pauline's wedding, outside of the amount of champagne consumed? Have you heard from Dr. Clark? That is the chief interest in my life at present. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-10-20
Text: October 20, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I worked on my history topic all yesterday afternoon, with the exception of the time that I spent looking up material for my Speakers' Bureau speech of last night. I got away with the speech pretty well, I think. I am sure that this practice is going to do me a lot of good. Lucy had a wonderful dinner for Helen last night at a little house near here. We had the private dining-room the house. We had soup, stewed chicken and rise, peas,...
Show moreOctober 20, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I worked on my history topic all yesterday afternoon, with the exception of the time that I spent looking up material for my Speakers' Bureau speech of last night. I got away with the speech pretty well, I think. I am sure that this practice is going to do me a lot of good. Lucy had a wonderful dinner for Helen last night at a little house near here. We had the private dining-room the house. We had soup, stewed chicken and rise, peas, pear salad, and ice-cream. She had Eith Lowman, Helen Stern, Helen Jackson, Helen Hertz, Helen Jackson, Henrietta Butler, and me. It was a Ledhadnichneer party, Father. I shall be awfully busy today and tomorrow. I hope you understood the night letter which I sent last night. It would suit me every bit as well to go to New York the week after Sophomore Party and we would then have three days together, inasmuch as I can leave on the eleven-thirty-eight. Third hour is my last class on Fridays. I sent my laundry last Wednesday. Did you get it yet? R. S. V. P. I am sending it today again. It is bell-time. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-11-17
Text: Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: This is a borrowed Corona, whose margin does not work, but perhaps the letter will be legible, at least. One thing is evident, the dash is located differently than on mine. I am sorry, too, Pete, that I could not be in Princeton, although it did you good to be with somebody else and probably you enjoyed it a lot more than you would have had I been along. We got our midsemesters back in Spanish today. You remember I thought that I had done miserably on it!!...
Show moreDear Mother, Father, and Pete: This is a borrowed Corona, whose margin does not work, but perhaps the letter will be legible, at least. One thing is evident, the dash is located differently than on mine. I am sorry, too, Pete, that I could not be in Princeton, although it did you good to be with somebody else and probably you enjoyed it a lot more than you would have had I been along. We got our midsemesters back in Spanish today. You remember I thought that I had done miserably on it!! evidently I did not for after class Jo and I went up to her and sked her whether "it is ever done to ask what one makes" and she told her that she got C- and I got A! Imagine that. We had our midsemester in chem this morning. I was beautifully scared of it. I went to bed early last night and got up at six this morning to study. It was bad enough, but not nearly as hard as I expected. We got our ionization papers back yesterday, the thing that I worked at so hard. I got C on it, with the comment that my material was not well organized. I think the trouble with it was that I spent too much time and effort on it, with the result that I didn't know what I was saying and waht[sic] was logical and what was not. However lots of people flunked it, so I might have done worse. Some got excellent on theirs, though, and others got "good". I think it was more a matter of argumentation than of knowledge, because I know I "had the dope down pat". You know Miss Fiske, Mother and Pete. Well, last night as one of the girls and I were walking out of the dining-room she stopped us and exploded. Our table, (most of those at it, that is) had been somewhat hilarious and noisy, trying to skip spoons into a glass of water by means of another spoon. Of course that is not the quietest performance on earth. She said, "I wish you would please inform your friends that they are a public nuisance. Why, they don't even behave like civilized human beings. I never heard anything so preposterous. I wish they would behave like respectable members of the community". That wasn't enough; later when I was standing there waiting for the elevator, she bellowed, "Did the table get my message?" Poor Miss Fiske! My debate tryouts were punk yesterday. I had negative yesterday today I have affirmative. Then it will be over, I imagine. Jake Shapira is coming up tomorrow. Helen wants to know if I want to see him. I told her that depended upon the smount of time at their disposal, if he cared to see me I should be pleased to see him. She acts as though he is some sort of treasure shut up in a glass case, and if you pay enough admission, you can get a one minute peak. I assured her I could exist perfectly happy if I didn't see him, to which she cannot of course agree. He is taking her to the game at New Haven Saturday and to the frat prom. I am in a great hurry, as I have to get to lab fifth hour instead of sixth today. November 17 Love, Fannie.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1923-02-24
Text: 142 main halu vassar college poughkeepsie, n. y. ^ Pebrua..ry 24, 1923 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Received your wire this morning and an-^ swered it right after lunch, I really don't know what there is to wire a'bout anymore, and thought perhaps if you spoke to me tonight your rr.ind would be at rest. Father Never speak to me about worrying anymore! Sorry to disappoint you, but I*m afraid I won't die of pnejimonia--this year, anyhow! I asked Dr. T. if she thought it would...
Show more142 main halu vassar college poughkeepsie, n. y. ^ Pebrua..ry 24, 1923 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Received your wire this morning and an-^ swered it right after lunch, I really don't know what there is to wire a'bout anymore, and thought perhaps if you spoke to me tonight your rr.ind would be at rest. Father Never speak to me about worrying anymore! Sorry to disappoint you, but I*m afraid I won't die of pnejimonia--this year, anyhow! I asked Dr. T. if she thought it would be v/ise for me to go home for a while, and she said sixe thought it would be the most foolish thing in the world--that it was much too long a trip and I would be running the risk of catct ing a half a dozen new things on the way home. She assures me that everybody else feels just as pepped out. I went to the doctor's office this morning and got a bottle of ton{c, and also had my blood count taken. She just compares colors with a chart of asE'^orted reds. She decided that it was 75, and gave me so .e Blau(?)'s iron pills, to take one after each meal. I shall do so. I don't want to start getting hyperdermics again~-it means waiting for an hour for each one in the stuffy office With all the people who have colds.142 main halu vassar college poughkeepsie, n. y. ^ I left Metcalfe the middle of the mongfe-in^. The room was needed, and I am really all ri^ht now, I have practically no cold at all, and I feel loads stronger than yester- da., . I spent the rest of the mornlrig dusting and cleaning my room. It get to "be a holy sight in :ny absence. It would win a prize now. It never has been quite so neat. After lunch we v/alked to the Flag with some snapshots, and then I went over to Students' as I had promised to hear the Freahmen debaters. Their spokers were to be picked this evening. They are unbelievably good. I think they are better than any varsity team that has existed since I am in college! I jUBt feiayed for an hour, and came back to write this. I am Qolnß to start my Drama makeup now, and stay in for the rest of the day. I'm afraid I've forgot+en how to study. Mother, I wish you would please sand me oneof the white chiffonier covers that I have on the chiff in the iifitle My dresser cover with its blue underneath thing hold the dust so t}.at "I feäl the need--of a change'^ to ouote Captain Applejack. But please don't ^^^^ because I can get along ^ith this. If you havenH an extra one.142 main halu vassar college poughkeepsie, n. y. ^ Khaki Dodge, in my class, whom you may remember from the Lafayette debate as an usher to whom I introduced you and who you thought was vsry good-lookin.;:, just told me the interesi ing "bit of news that she ecpects^ to go to Johns Hopkins year after next, as does Anna Osterhout, also '23, s.nd that they were down in Baltimore after midyears to seeabout getting in and that the man in charge, whoever he is, told them that he hardly takes into considera.tion officia: college record at all in admitting students, but counts almost entirely the standing of the college and its recommendations of them, as well as personal qualifications. He says medica:i school shouldnt be run democratically, that that doesn^t make good doctors, and he believes very strongly in heredity, that if you come from a " go od"** family the chances are you will be good -laterial for them. On the strength of the latter he was very glad to take Anna Osterhout, who, incidentally, just missed flunking out Freshman year, but whose father is a very eminent--! thought, botanist, but Knaki says zoologist. And he is very glad to take Kkaki, because she came down with Anna and because he liked her appearance. It struck me as & fine thing for the sons and daughters of the famous, but a little haEd on all others I I guess that's all the news I have. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-12-03
Text: December 3, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Our debate is "Resolved that Intercollegiate Athletics is desirable in Women's Colleges". The Sophomores have the affirmative. We spent two hours yesterday afternoon in informal discussion, just giving the taking arguments. The committee works every bit as hard as the team. It is really remarkable the pep and spirit that we put into debate. We had practice in Assembly Hall this morning from nine to eleven. I was affirmative, for...
Show moreDecember 3, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Our debate is "Resolved that Intercollegiate Athletics is desirable in Women's Colleges". The Sophomores have the affirmative. We spent two hours yesterday afternoon in informal discussion, just giving the taking arguments. The committee works every bit as hard as the team. It is really remarkable the pep and spirit that we put into debate. We had practice in Assembly Hall this morning from nine to eleven. I was affirmative, for the second time in the six that I have spoken. I was almost afraid that I would give negative arguments from force of habit, but I seem to have gotten away with it all right. I was the last speaker on our side, also the last in rebuttal, and when I finished the whole committee and the member of intercollegiate debate council who was listening burst out in lively applause. They said it was the best rebuttal they had heard since tryouts started. The chairman impressed upon us the fact yesterday that the alternates are just as important as the three who will be finally chosen to speak. Their names appear on the programme, also; and they will be dressed in white and with the class colors just as the speakers and committee are. If we were chosen on the strenth of our speeches this morning, I feel confident that I will be one of them. Of course, I will be scared silly, so it may be just as well if I am only an alternate. We are to have practice every day next week--not to mention the reading that I will have to do for it! Good-bye, work! Pete, I don't think I would make Intercollegiate this year. If class debate goes well, I may try out. Sophomores are allowed to try out, but I don't know of any sophomores who ever made it. The team is composed of Seniors and a few Juniors, although theoretically sophomores are eligible. I wrote my paper for English last night and must copy it today. It is a comparison of the Utopias of Sir Thomas More and William Morris. It is none too potent, but will have to do. I went to hear the honorable Edna St. Vincent Millay last night, no so much because I wanted to hear her as because I wanted to see her. I had heard some wild tales about the alarm and concern she caused the faculty in her college days. Evidently others went because they were likewise curious, or Assembly Hall was packed so she did not get started until after eight, and I could stay to listen to only a few poems. She is freaky looking, to say the least, but I guess that goes with being poetess. There is a Glee Club concert tonight, but I think I'll go to bed right after chapel instead. I have too much to do tomorrow not to be rested. Will you please remember to save all newspapers and whatever magazines you get a home, Mother? Love, Fannie Please answer about ordering a berth or parlor car chair.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1921-04-08]
Text: Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I sent you a timetable, Pete. I guess it left on the last mail. There is nothing interesting to report. I got that history outline in on time this morning. That is what I went to the library for a home. It did not take so very long, but it was not a masterpiece, either. We take up slavery now. I have debate practice seventh and eighth hours this afternoon. I am sick of it. Mary Magennis has gotten tonsilitis, so that means more work for me. The Juniors drew...
Show moreDear Mother, Father, and Pete: I sent you a timetable, Pete. I guess it left on the last mail. There is nothing interesting to report. I got that history outline in on time this morning. That is what I went to the library for a home. It did not take so very long, but it was not a masterpiece, either. We take up slavery now. I have debate practice seventh and eighth hours this afternoon. I am sick of it. Mary Magennis has gotten tonsilitis, so that means more work for me. The Juniors drew their numbers for room-drawing last night. Helen Reid got 8. That is some lucky girl. Some people wanted her to go in on a double-alleyway with them, but she wanted to get a single if she got a good enough number. otherwise there is nothing new. My trunk is in Main, which means I'll use my own typewriter tomorrow. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1922-01-15
Text: January 15, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I shall be very brief tonight. I surely turned into a grind today. I worked for three and a half hours this morning on my psych topic and turned out fourteen pages single space. I felt as though I never wanted to look at a typewriter again. After dinner I read Byron for an hour, and then went skating. The ice was terrible, so we got hold of a sled and went coasting down Sunset for an hour instead. I then came back and read Byron till supper,...
Show moreJanuary 15, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I shall be very brief tonight. I surely turned into a grind today. I worked for three and a half hours this morning on my psych topic and turned out fourteen pages single space. I felt as though I never wanted to look at a typewriter again. After dinner I read Byron for an hour, and then went skating. The ice was terrible, so we got hold of a sled and went coasting down Sunset for an hour instead. I then came back and read Byron till supper, and now I shall work for three more hours on my psych topic. That ought to get within two hours of finishing it! I hate to think of copying it. The ice carnival was very pretty yesterday. I skated some then, but even yesterday the ice was bad. My right ankle is terribly weak. The straps you sent me, Pete, don't seem to help any. The speakers at the luncheon yesterday were not too good. The Jap was a hot-air orator, and Professor Dealey was convincing, but unnecessarily rude. Yesterday morning went to my topic. I'll be a happy mortal when [I] put down its final period. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: Feb. 10.
Text: Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: [Feb. 10] There is absolutely nothing to tell you, except that I tried out for debate at eight-thirty, this morning. I thought I was going to have to take two parts, inasmuch as I was organizer and one of the girls of our team said she would not be able to come. So I prepared for the job, but she appeared the last minute. I think I did fairly well. I spent all yesterday afternoon, four hours, working on it. Me and Minerva Turnbull, one of the brainiest in the...
Show moreDear Mother, Father, and Pete: [Feb. 10] There is absolutely nothing to tell you, except that I tried out for debate at eight-thirty, this morning. I thought I was going to have to take two parts, inasmuch as I was organizer and one of the girls of our team said she would not be able to come. So I prepared for the job, but she appeared the last minute. I think I did fairly well. I spent all yesterday afternoon, four hours, working on it. Me and Minerva Turnbull, one of the brainiest in the senior class! Ha ha! I heard John Drinkwater read some poems last night and talk on "Poetry and Life". I must confess that I was not terribly impressed. Perhaps I lack a poetic soul. I have been too sleepy today to accomplish anything except foor around outdoors for an hour. The snow is very deep and it is perfectly gorgeous out. Considering that I did hardly any class work all week and spent most of the time working on debate, it is time for me to get to work this week-end. This sort of weather makes me wonder whether trying out for debate is worht while after all. Love, Fannie (Thanks for prunes- they are what I wanted)
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: Apr. 26
Text: [Apr 26] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Thank you for the violets Pete. Were they in the letter accidentally or on purpose? Thanks at any rate--that is the only way I can enjoy the wonderful country these days. Its some punishment. Miss Wells is sending me my make-up quiz in the unstamped mail. I don't know whether I told you or not that she offered to allow me to make up the two in one, but I lacked the necessary nerve, as usual. It's better to have two chances than one. More...
Show more[Apr 26] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Thank you for the violets Pete. Were they in the letter accidentally or on purpose? Thanks at any rate--that is the only way I can enjoy the wonderful country these days. Its some punishment. Miss Wells is sending me my make-up quiz in the unstamped mail. I don't know whether I told you or not that she offered to allow me to make up the two in one, but I lacked the necessary nerve, as usual. It's better to have two chances than one. More about room-drawing. Phyllis and her celebrity-room-mate got into Lathrop, where most of the upper-class celebrities and a great many of those of our class, are. I suppose she will be a big mutt in the lcass one of these days, through association. One girl whom I know quite well and like quite well had 221 for her number and Davison closed on 220. She petitioned the warden in charge of room-drawing to get in, but they would not make an exception for her. There are quite a good many nice girls coming in, although most of them happen to be girls that I know least in the class. I don't suppose that will prevent my getting to know them, though. I saw Miss Smith this morning. Did you ever receive her letter? I feel well enough to go back to my room now. I'll see what Dr. Baldwin has to say. I would like, if I do leave now or soon, to come back here just before exams and maybe stay through that time. I'll know more about that later. I got my long theme in English pretty well under way last night. There is one tning about this Metcalf joint, it is conductive to study if you feel well enough for it--it is so calm and peaceful. I'm sorry, Pete, that sound like your old-man expressions. if I had thought Grandpa would receive that letter on time I certainly should not have blown myself for a telegram. I thought it takes two days for a letter to get home. I could not send him a telegram collect--this is, I could have for a joke, but I am not sure that he would take it as a joke. The Harvard Glee Club gave a concert of sacred music last night. I guess after that rotten performance of the Dartmouth one, the only kind authorities are willing to risk is one of sacred music. I did not go. I have been very good the past week and not gone to a thing. Siegfried Sassoon read of bunch of his war poems Friday night. I never heard of him before, but then I know I am not thoroughly educated. They were supposed to have been very good. I saw Lucy for a few minutes last night. She was just about to go off for supper to a Jewish party. She is funny. If you remember, she told us at the beginning of the year that she does with two crowds, a Jewish one and a Christian one. But I have not found out yet who the Christian ones are. [Love, Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-12-02
Text: December 2, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I had breakfast in the restaurant of the New York Central, Mother. I believe that are two--it was the one off to the right as you come out from the trains. Mother, if you come East to go to Atlantic, will you please bring my clack muff? If not, please send it in the next laundry. Don't send it specially, though. I have another two hour debate meeting this afternoon. I took an hour's walk after my last class this morning. I plan to...
Show moreDecember 2, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I had breakfast in the restaurant of the New York Central, Mother. I believe that are two--it was the one off to the right as you come out from the trains. Mother, if you come East to go to Atlantic, will you please bring my clack muff? If not, please send it in the next laundry. Don't send it specially, though. I have another two hour debate meeting this afternoon. I took an hour's walk after my last class this morning. I plan to spend two hours this afternoon writing the English theme which was supposedly due last Thursday. I think I shall compare More's and Morris's Utopias. I don't think the paper is going to be startlingly brilliant, either. Tonight Edna St. Vincent Millay of the class of 1917 (ever hear of her?) is going to read from her poems. I should like to go, but I am very much afraid that I will have to work. I have the extreme displeasure of announcing that our chem class was divided today for quiz. There are two sections and it looks to me very much as though I am in the more stupid section. Certainly most of those in my half are more stupid than those in the other half, although Professor Moulton did not say on what principle had had divided the class. I don't see why I should be in the stupid section, though, when I got the next highest mark in the class on midsemester. Oh, if you knew how disgusted I am! I never hated, and I don't think I ever will hate, anything as much as chemistry. What is the value in compulsory subjects? Now I can see how three fourths of the freshman class felt last year toward math. There is nothing interesting to tell you. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1922-04-12]
Text: [postmarked 12 Apr 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Lucy left at 10;05 train. We had a terrific storm last night till about eleven. As a result she had a bad form of night mare and spent the whole night in screams. Needless to say, it was none too restful. But it was great to have her, in spite of such incidents. Miss Hamilton is here. I shall see her tonight. Helen is sick. We had quite a time getting her off to the infirm last night. It took several hours of persuasion. She is much...
Show more[postmarked 12 Apr 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Lucy left at 10;05 train. We had a terrific storm last night till about eleven. As a result she had a bad form of night mare and spent the whole night in screams. Needless to say, it was none too restful. But it was great to have her, in spite of such incidents. Miss Hamilton is here. I shall see her tonight. Helen is sick. We had quite a time getting her off to the infirm last night. It took several hours of persuasion. She is much better today. I have to call her Mother up tonight. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-10-29
Text: [Addressed to Hotel Traymore] October 29, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I want you to appreciate that I just bought a box of typewriter paper for two seventy-five. That's what happens when you write to your family every day. I want you to appreciate also that I just spent one half hour addressing twenty-five envelopes to the family. I wish some kind soul would give me a stamp with the address on it like the stamps you have for your association, Mrs. Aaron. That aint no hint! The...
Show more[Addressed to Hotel Traymore] October 29, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I want you to appreciate that I just bought a box of typewriter paper for two seventy-five. That's what happens when you write to your family every day. I want you to appreciate also that I just spent one half hour addressing twenty-five envelopes to the family. I wish some kind soul would give me a stamp with the address on it like the stamps you have for your association, Mrs. Aaron. That aint no hint! The heating pipes weren't working in the chem building this morning and it is a pentratingly cold rainy day. After we had been in class twenty-five minutes Professor Moulton said, "Are any of you as cold as I am?" We all said, "Yes". He said, "Very well, then. I won't be guilty of freezing children. The class is dismissed". So I was through for the week at eleven o'clock, through with classes I mean. During the course of the recitation this morning he asked what mercuric chloride is called. He then told us that it is often used as a means of committing suicide. He said that the best proof that people who commit suicide are crazy is the choice of things they use with which to do it. I was thinking of your story of the fellow in the S. A. T. C., Pete. Isn't that what he used? He then told us that he was going to tell us confidentially another wonderful use for it--it is very effective in killing bedbugs! The class just howled. Remember that, Mother. With such negligent hoursekeeping as your, it is well to know such things. I am told that today was our last day with Professor Mills. It is unfortunate that he does not stay with us, but rotation is the only fair way of running the classes, I guess. I don't know if I will like it as well with someone else. I certainly have enjoyed these six weeks. I went to bed early last night, after my visit to Dr. B., but I could not get to sleep until after then as there was great excitement and torchlight processions and much yelling for Harding and Cox. The Republican party was much larger than the Democratic one. We have our straw vote today. Poughkeepsie is lending us two voting machines. The Freshmen had their elections yesterday. Anne Halliday, the girl whom we saw in N. Y. C. in September, who flunked out last year at midyears, was urged and urged to accept the nomination for president, but she persistently declined. I guess she is afraid of repeating the procedure. Your dissertation on the postal service around Boston explains the fact that often i don't get a letter from you and sometimes two in one day. Love, Fannie[enc w/29 Oct 1920] Dear Mother, I haven't sent you any of these private little notes for a good while, I am afraid I'll forget how. Dr. B. says I certainly may leave Tuesday night before Thanksgiving. I have felt quite punk for two days. We have had awefully stormy weather for over a day with a great deal of dampness. I know I have not gotten wet feet and I have dressed warmly enough. I cannot make it out. The only thing I can think of is that I caught cold when I washed my hair, although it did get dry after two hours. I had to get up twice night before last and once last night and both times I could not go to sleep until I got a hot water bag. The process of going to the toilet has been quite painful these two days. While I am up during the day-time I don't feel any more discomfort than usual. Isn't that funny? I cannot understand it. It is some inexplicable set-bake, I guess, which whill[sic] probably be over soon. I am going to take good care of myself over the week-end. Don't worry about this. I am simply telling you because I promised that there would be no bluff.
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