Search results

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 11/7/19
Text: November 7, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I just came in from a long walk, and I feel great. It was a wonderful, cold day. Some doctor whose name I did not get lectured in hygiene today. He said more in one lecture than Dr. T. has said in five. I forgot to tell you that our stunt with great success in the maids' club Thursday night, I mean Wednesday night. I got rigged up in my grand whiskers and moustache before I left here, and we surely had some fun going through Maine and...
Show moreNovember 7, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I just came in from a long walk, and I feel great. It was a wonderful, cold day. Some doctor whose name I did not get lectured in hygiene today. He said more in one lecture than Dr. T. has said in five. I forgot to tell you that our stunt with great success in the maids' club Thursday night, I mean Wednesday night. I got rigged up in my grand whiskers and moustache before I left here, and we surely had some fun going through Maine and across campus. The janitor, electrician, etc. in the hall in Main came close to splitting. I did not know I looked as funny as all that. I had the conference with Miss Thallon last night. She was awefully nice. Judging by the expression on her face and her apparent satisfaction as she went over the thing I juste she was pleased with the thoroughness with which I did the stuff. She had only one of two correction to make. She said my bibliography was very good. She also asked what reference books I have been using for class work. I told her. She was well satisfied. Then I asked her if she would mind telling me what kind of work I was doing. I explained that I had no idea. She looked at her grade book, smiled, and said I had absolutely no cause for worry. I knew I was not flunking, but I could not ask her any more. I simply wanted to know whether it was B or C work. They say that they have given up the closed mark system, but they have only to a certain extent. The only papers that I ever get back that are graded are French and Math, and th less said about French marks the better. Lucy's Jeannette came up to see me today! I am going to celebrate tomorrow by getting a shampoo. Please don't send any food in the next laundry either. I mention it in time. I went up to see Phyll after lunhc[sic]. Hermother will be up next week-end before going South. Her roommate walked part way back with me, and she informed me that Phyllis has been in the dumps the last few days. I never though she would get that way. She swears she won't go to see Miss Breene Christmas vacation. I am not the only one who had troubles in work. Love, [Fannie] Today is Helen Meid's birthday, so that means no work tonight. I played basket-ball outdoors yesterday. It was great. I was pushed around on a bike for a few minutes after that--I think I'll learn.
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-03-17
Text: March 17, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I went to the debate last night. It was over at ten-fifteen. I am afraid our affirmative is not very good. The Ec faculty who were there cast an unofficial vote. They voted for the negative. I should have, too. The delegation leaves tonight. The Smith crowd arrive tomorrow afternoon. Some of them are coming by auto. Some sports! Just what do you want to know about Second Hall, Pete? I spoke of the girl who took Nan's part as everybody else...
Show moreMarch 17, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I went to the debate last night. It was over at ten-fifteen. I am afraid our affirmative is not very good. The Ec faculty who were there cast an unofficial vote. They voted for the negative. I should have, too. The delegation leaves tonight. The Smith crowd arrive tomorrow afternoon. Some of them are coming by auto. Some sports! Just what do you want to know about Second Hall, Pete? I spoke of the girl who took Nan's part as everybody else speaks of her. It is not a mark of friendship, it is simply what she is known as. My acquaintance with her condidts of working with her roommate on debate. She is an affirmative speaker! Perhaps you will be interested in the enclosed criticisms. I consider them very good, particularly Kellogg's. All I can say of your friend from Wellesley is that she has fine college spirit--going into to Boston to Kreisler concert when Vassar is at Wellesley winning a debate! Pete, why on eather don't you go to a doctor about your perpetual sleepiness? You know there usually are one of two good ones in a large city. It wouldn't hurt any, except that it might hurt your Christian Science pride. I went to debate song practice again today. There are some very good songs. I understand that Professor Roselli's feelings are very much hurt because one song speaks of the "Dago". I notice he was standing there today listening to song practice. But they put one over on him and didn't sing the song. Senorita Agostini and Senorita Garcia and Jo Marple are going to give a Spanish play this afternoon. We read it last semester. It is very funny. I think I'll have to go, although I ought to either sleep or study instead. French play tryouts start next Monday. i don't see how I can get the time to read the play before then, with two mid-semesters coming the beginning of next week. I should like to try out for it. You can skil this part of the letter if you want, Pete. I tried on my summer clothes yesterday--those that I have here. For once in history nothing will have to be done to the waist-bands, but something funny has happened to the lengths. Theylook as though they are trailing on the ground, and as a matter of fact they are from eight to seven inches from the ground. So I will need Miss Alice to shorten them and do some small odd jobs. I can manage with her all right without your doing anything Mother, as long as you engage her time to come. Also, would it meet with your approval if I tried to get a suit Friday afternoon with Aunt Bessie's assistance. I don't want her advice on taste--just moral support! I want to get something that I can use here at college as well as in the city, and I imagine it is rather early to do that at home. R. S. V. P. please. Love, Fannie
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-06-01
Text: June 1. 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I got through down town in two hours, much to my surprise. I also got a clean head by means of a shampoo, so outside of studying, I am all ready for the exams. Some questions of housekeeping, Mother, which Father and Pete may skip. My pillows are rather dusty. I will beat them out as well as I can;--will the moths get in them if I pack them with camphor. Also, I took my bathrobe over to Sloshes to be washed and stored over the summer. I have not...
Show moreJune 1. 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I got through down town in two hours, much to my surprise. I also got a clean head by means of a shampoo, so outside of studying, I am all ready for the exams. Some questions of housekeeping, Mother, which Father and Pete may skip. My pillows are rather dusty. I will beat them out as well as I can;--will the moths get in them if I pack them with camphor. Also, I took my bathrobe over to Sloshes to be washed and stored over the summer. I have not used my own blankets all winter, so they are not dirty. They were put away all winter. Sloshes won't store them without washing them. I didn't think it would do them any good to wash them when they are perfectly clean, so I brought them back and thought I would put them in my packing trunk with plenty of camphor. Is that all right, or should I take them over there and let them wash them anyhow. I'm not up on the activities of moths. R. S. V. P. Minerva Turnbull came over for dinner last night and then we had a nice leisurely stroll around the lake before chapel. It certainly is beautiful down there now. Miss Salmon announced yesterday that we would meet in the library for our exam, and that we should come with a newspaper and a text-book, "your text-book_--she put it, in American History. She was amazed when we almost all said that we didn't own one, that when we need a text-book we use those in the library. She was funny as a crutch. Well, the long and short of the argument was that when I went in to Lindmark's yesterday afternoon he said with a smile, "All out of text-books in American History till Thursday". He ordered a whole batch. That will be rather an expensive exam! The request to bring newspapers to the exam makes me wish I had read the papers as diligently second semester as first. The exams is Saturday afternoon, Ec is Monday morning, English Tuesday morning, Spanish Tuesday afternoon, and Chem Thursday afternoon. Kilpatrick told me yesterday that the average of all my work this semester is C plus. That dooms me to a C, I guess. I had sort of hoped for a B. I certainly have done better work this semester than first. I don't know what is the matter with him. Our class elected Alice Lowenhaupt chairman of Junior Party. That is the biggest job first semester Junior Year outside of class president. It is the first time to my knowledge that a Jewish girl has ever had as big a job as that--at least one which is elective. I certainly am glad. I think the girl who was up against her is cleverer and better suited to every part of the work except the executive end of it, but she is not particularly well liked, so i guess that helped turn the votes from her. I certainly am glad.I just heard yesterday that sophomores can't get into chapel for commencement even if they want to stay, that seniors cannot even get all the tickets most of them need, so I shall take the morning boat down Tuesday, got up to see Aunt Pauline in the afternoon, and take the eight-thirty home Tuesday night. I may change my mind, but the railroad men are here today, and I think I'll order my berth according to those plans. How long are you planning to stay in Atlantic? I think I'll start studying for exams. I would like to avoid a last-minute rush, if possible. Love, Fannie Pete, your letters of the last few days have been choice. Nobody can ever kid me for being scared of exams and a "woe is me" line after that. You big foot, cut it out.[enc w/ 1 June 1921] Dear Mother: I believe Miss Alice is coming for a few days when I get home. I won't have any alteration or reparing for her to do--to my knowledge anyhow. Do you think I could buy the material at home and let her make a dotted suisse-dark blue--for me? I saw a rather pretty one at one of the stores near here, but it was pretty tight in different places and would have needed a good deal of alteration. Besides which, i didn't like it thirty-two dollars worth. That is a good deal for such a dress, isn't it--even though it is imported suisse. I think Miss Alice could do it all right, don't you? R. S. V. P.
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-02-25
Text: February 25, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I'll warn you now that this is going to be a very lengthy letter. I wasted this morning. I went to history class and then spent the next hour studying from chem quiz. When I got to class, Professor Moulton discovered that only two others beside me had gotten far enough in lab to have the quiz, so he allowed the two of us to go home, and the others had to go to lab. I had expected either to sleep this afternoon or to get some debate...
Show moreFebruary 25, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I'll warn you now that this is going to be a very lengthy letter. I wasted this morning. I went to history class and then spent the next hour studying from chem quiz. When I got to class, Professor Moulton discovered that only two others beside me had gotten far enough in lab to have the quiz, so he allowed the two of us to go home, and the others had to go to lab. I had expected either to sleep this afternoon or to get some debate reading done, but I just saw that I am posted for debate for sixth and seventh hours again. I was out last night, too. I went to the lecture eigth hour and discovered too late that the schedule had been rearranged and that the required lecture was at seven-thirty. So I had to go to both. Lots of other people were in the same boat, but they did not happen to have as much to do as I did. I got through yesterday remarkably well, considering my schedule. I cut my lab short, inasmuch as I was ahead of most of the others anyhow, and spent two of the three lab hours doing history for today. Debate started at a quarter to nine after the lecture and lasted till ten fifteen and then the critics hashed us until eleven. I wish debate did not have ten o'clock permission. The lectures of which I spoke are those of Professor Caroline Spurgeon of the University of London on modern poets. She is very interesting. I heard her introductory one on "Early [20th] Century Poets", and those yesterday on "Lascelles Abercombie, Rupert Brooke, and Harold Monro", and one on "Stevens, De la Mare, and Hodgson". Miss Salmon has been talking about Harding's selection of his cabinet. She has been very funny. Usually she doesn't air her views to the extent that she has been recently. Speaking of her reminds me that she has invited the whole class down town to her house for this evening. I am told that she always has wonderful food at her evenings at home to her classes. That is a strong inducement. I shall go if I am not too tired. I may have to go to bed instead, though. I have gotten along on so little studying in the last two weeks that I got cold feet to think of it. There really must be something wrong somewhere, and yet I feel as though I have done it fairly thoroughly. You forgot to enclose the letters yesterday, Mother. Speaking of forgetting reminds me that I found the letters which I mailed this morning safely lodged in the pocket of my note-book. Sorry-----Answers to questions:--I wore my blue evening dress from last year to the informal dancing. It was the only one I had here, and was quite all right. The gentleman danced very well. I don't know how Uriah Heep took--I couldn't imagine her landing many people, though. Mother, I shall send my brown Oxfords home in the next laundry. Will you please have Hanan's resole them as soon as possible and send them to me. Please return enclosed clippings. I tried to tell everything except debate, and keep that for the last. I am sorry that I did not get time to write Tuesday or Wednesday when my enthusiasm was freshest, but I simply didn't have the time to breathe [sic]. I got a note from Tony Black, chariman of materials, in the first unstamped mail Monday morning. She said, "If you find time, come to my room about nine-thirty tonight to talk over some 'debate materials junk'. If you haven't time, we'll try to arrange some other time". That sounded unimportant enogh[sic] to me. I thought that her idea was to get us started on the right material, inasmuch as we had lasted that far in tryouts. I spent the evening studying in Dorothea's room, and about nine-fifteen I got so sleepy that I said I was going over and see if perchance Tony was home so that I could get through with it sooner. I got over to her room, a double-alleyway, and saw a huge poster, "Ellis Islands. No Immigrants Admitted till Nine-Thirty". But even then it did not dawn on me. I thought someone was playing a joke on her, because she had been working so hard for debate. I knocked and opened the door a little, and she appeared half drassed up in a crazy costume to tell me that I should read the sign and appear later. Then I was wise, and chased back to Dorothea in great excitement. At nine-thirty the whole gang appeared and we had to wait outside until one member of the committee, dressed up in flannel shirt and trousers and big brown derby came out and kicked us into line to pass the medical inspection. She enlightened us to the effect that if we didn't "git in line and shut up there we would be shipped back to where we done come from". We passed in the doorsingle file, and as each one entered, Dorothy Barck representing the Y. W. C. A., handed us out adds from magazines--"Just a little literature as a welcome from America". She wore a dark blue tailored suit, skirt to her heels, and a little black sailor hat. She was perfect. Then we were kicked and shoved into a row of seats to pass the enclosed literarcy test. You will be able to read it if you hold the wrong side up to the light. The whole time they were yelling at us to shut up and act like dacent"immigrants. Commissioner Wallis, chairman of debate, superintended the whole job. Then we were given individual medical examination, by Helen Gratz, who wore a big white butcher's apron, a rubber rain hat, and had suspended from a belt around her waist a pair of scissors for extracting tonsils, a big spoon for throat examinations, and a big brown bottle of tonice which was supposed to be the anaesthetic. She examined all out headsvery closely, and those who wore "padding" were detained in the hospital as deportable cases. The hospital was one of the bedrooms, in which they had lined up all three beds, ward style. Frances Kellogg's tonsile were taken out, with the assistance of the rebellious nurse. Then came the intelligence test, which Commissioner Walls ordered given as a supplementary test to the literacy test. It is enclosed also. Then came good chocolate ice cream and much nonesense. We all decided that we favored restriction that so the immigrants could be treated better on landing at Ellis Island, and could get chocolate ice cream. Now the excitement is all over, and it is just plain hard work. I hope I'll last. Whenever I consider the advisability of quitting, I think of the fun the night of the nineteenth of March is going to be. Gee, But I have enjoyed all the congratulations this past week! Dr. B. mushed all over me. She almost kissed me. Rather her than Dr. T. I hope you weren't laboring under the delusion that I was chosen a speaker, Pete. The squad was picked, all twelve, with no distinctions made. The speakers are not announced till later. It is taken for granted however, that the four seniors who were speakers and alternates last year, and the two juniors who were alternates, will speak this year. I have no chance against them. I do hope I'll be sent to Wellesley. Otherwise there is nothing new, and my three quarters of an hour are up. Love, Fannie [enc w/ 25 Feb 1921] Mother, There is no prospect of improvemtn as far as my bowels are concerned, and I had to start taking the vegetable pills about ten days ago. Dr. B. gave me some phenothalein to try. I suppose it is not supposed to be as much a cathartic as the other. It is all right? I didn't want to start anything new till the week-end. She says it will not hurt the bladder. R. S. V. P.Mother
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: [1922-11-23]
Text: [23 Nov 1922] Dear Pete, Mother and Father--anything for variety: I remember to wire you before Pete's letter reminding me of the great event arrived! I would call you up tonight except for the fact that I saw you so recently--also I went to go to Junior Sophomore debate. Dr. Conklin had a big crowd, Pete, but I think most of them got cuts in various courses to go. I belive[sic] I promised you one of these snapshots at home, Father. I had to have a cophy made for the Vassarion, so I got...
Show more[23 Nov 1922] Dear Pete, Mother and Father--anything for variety: I remember to wire you before Pete's letter reminding me of the great event arrived! I would call you up tonight except for the fact that I saw you so recently--also I went to go to Junior Sophomore debate. Dr. Conklin had a big crowd, Pete, but I think most of them got cuts in various courses to go. I belive[sic] I promised you one of these snapshots at home, Father. I had to have a cophy made for the Vassarion, so I got several. Helen and I walked to town yesterday. I got Louise's birthday present. What's new with the doctor? Love, Fannie Thursday[enc w/ 23 Nov 1922] Dear Mother: I left the corals at Zimmer's, the big jewelry store here, to find out what it would cost to make the string six inches longer with the medium sized corals. They will let me know Wednesday. he says they are very fine corals and he thinks it will be pretty expensive. I won't do anything till I hear from you. Would you see about it at Grogan's or somewhere, or should I wait till you or I get to Atlantic? R. S. V. P. I told him they cost only $20, so he wouldn't charge too much, and he said they are very good and should have cost about $40--were you bluffing me?Mother Mother
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-05-17
Text: May 17. Dear Mother + Father: Unless I telegraph to the contrary, I'll leave N.Y. Thursday on the 3:05 for Atlantic, due about six. The station here tells me I'll have to leave Sunday morning to get the 6 o'clock for college. The earliest aft. train - 3:05 Sun., get to N.Y. at 7:05. I have permission to miss both Fri + Thurs., or Fri + Mon. if I want - special leave. Fannie Mr. + Mrs. Marcus Aaron, Hotel Ambassador, Atlantic City, N.J.

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1919-01-15 [1920]
Text: Januar 15, 1919. [1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Your special came this afternoon, Mother. I would feel like a "selfish person", as Father would say, to have you come this week. I do not need you, although I admit it is nice to have Aunt Bessie. I would not enjoy particularly going alone. I worked my fool head off today. Thank goodness when three weeks are here. Miss Wells is going to send me a written in the unstamped mail. I shall take it on Sunday. I went down to see Miss...
Show moreJanuar 15, 1919. [1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Your special came this afternoon, Mother. I would feel like a "selfish person", as Father would say, to have you come this week. I do not need you, although I admit it is nice to have Aunt Bessie. I would not enjoy particularly going alone. I worked my fool head off today. Thank goodness when three weeks are here. Miss Wells is going to send me a written in the unstamped mail. I shall take it on Sunday. I went down to see Miss Thallon tonight, and she will give me the history written tomorrow afternoon. I must have them out of my system. Exams are in the air--the world seems to revolve about them now. We were told today to buy the essay "Current Literature and the Colleges" by Henty Seidel Canby. We are to read it, do anything ith it that we please--that is to say, study it as we have studied various essays this semester--then bring it to the examinatuon. We will be examined on it. I had counted on not havving to study for the English exam. We review half of trif for Monday. I asked Champy is we would have the last day for review, whereupon she hopped all over us and said she could not understand out spirity , we ought to be reciewing already, the exams did not seem to worry us, and she saw us going sledding and skating, whereas in France when she had exams she used to get up at five and study all day long. She expects us to cram reviewing when she is cramming us full of new stuff miles long now. Poor fool! I had class drill in gym today. It was much better than at high school. I then dressed and went uover to Main for dinner with Helen Hurd the girl who came up the night I was sick. Do you remember her, Mother? Main is a wonderful place, all right, if you are built with a horse's stength. I think I would have lasted about six weeks there. Love, [Fannie]
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-11-09
Text: Noveber 9, 1920 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I hope I shall never be busier than i am this week. Everything seems to pile up at once. I spent all last evening and an hour this morning studying for the Spanish exam, and I hope to find time to spend at least another hour on it. Speakers' Bureau comes tonight, and I have not outlined my speech yet. The French Club drive somes Thursday, and I shall have to spend at least an hour on that, if not more. I gathered up the eight posters...
Show moreNoveber 9, 1920 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I hope I shall never be busier than i am this week. Everything seems to pile up at once. I spent all last evening and an hour this morning studying for the Spanish exam, and I hope to find time to spend at least another hour on it. Speakers' Bureau comes tonight, and I have not outlined my speech yet. The French Club drive somes Thursday, and I shall have to spend at least an hour on that, if not more. I gathered up the eight posters yesterday from the people I had recruited to make them. I then spent some more time going around the various halls hanging them up. When I got back at none today there was a note on my door from Helen Gratz telling me to go to North tonight for dinner and make a speech there. The French government has presented us with a veteran thank, all banged up and camouflaged, in honor of the work done by the Vassar Unit at Verdun. The tank arrived Saturday and is reposing on the Josselyn field. A man whose name I could not make out, representing the French government, is going to dedicate it Thursday, amid much singing of the Marseilleise and the Star Spangled Banner, etc. I am to make a speech on that tonight. If it were any other night of the week, it would not be so bad. That is what I get for signing up for Speakers' Bureau and making a success of it. I suppose when I have gotten speaking in a dingin-hall[sic] over with for the first time, I wont have such stage-fright, but I surely have it today. I am supposed to work on scenery committee of First Hall, but I am afraid I'll have to back out. It means giving up an awful lot of sleep and I doubt if I am capable of doing that yet. Mr. Kaufmann's report of me is true with a grain of allowance. I haven't been fine for a long time, to my knowledge, at least. But I am as good as I have been for a long time. Mother, why do you say you'll have a blue fit until I get home? Do you expect my train to be wrecked, too? Incidentally, Mr. Kaufmann didn't say that Lucy was fine, did he? She looks like a wreck and acts worse. I don't know what is the matter with her. She has terrible rings under her eyes and just looks in a bad way generally. Jeannette and Edith have talked themselves hoarse to her and all they get for it is the information that it is none of their business. She stayes up till midnight quite regularly, and is about a thousand times more nervous than usual, if possible. If she had not just seen her father, I would get you to tell her mother to write to her and tell her to be careful. In case you say anything, be careful not to get me in wrong for telling tales. I don't know Rober Frank's fiancee, but whoever she is, I am sorry for her. Love, Fannie
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-04-27
Text: April 27, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Where is that interesting letter, Pete? I put the finshing touches on my topic for Romance last night. It took two hours to type it. It is some monster--and not particularly interesting. It was not an enjoyable one to do. Now I have to beat it over to the libe and finish my history topic, which is due tomorrow. Then i will have all my work up to date, except for some Spenser reading, about which there is no particular hurry. I had a telegram from...
Show moreApril 27, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Where is that interesting letter, Pete? I put the finshing touches on my topic for Romance last night. It took two hours to type it. It is some monster--and not particularly interesting. It was not an enjoyable one to do. Now I have to beat it over to the libe and finish my history topic, which is due tomorrow. Then i will have all my work up to date, except for some Spenser reading, about which there is no particular hurry. I had a telegram from Henrietta last evening, saying that she will meet Louise in New York (she is coming to visit Helen) and come up on the ten-ten. Daylight saving is convenient. I can go down to meet her after my last class. I shall have to get a room for her off campus, there is no choice about it. No guests except alumnae can be entertained on campus Thursday and Friday nights of this week. That is a Founder's Day regulation of long standing. I hope she has no objections, but it cannor be helped. I finished both my long unknowns in lab this morning. One of them was distilled water! I could not imagine why I never found anything as I went along, and I certainly wasted enough time going over things to make sure that I hadn't made any mistakes. The doctor's prescription came this morning. Thank you for it. I shall have it filled in the morning. I got a letter from Aunt Pauline asking me to come down for the week-end sometime. Love, Fannie
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-10-19
Text: October 19, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Pete, your letter explains your telegram. I could not understand what there was indefinite or inexplicit in my Sunday letter. I cannot explain yet what I meant by speaking of the eighth and the fifteenth--it must have been a "slip of the typewriter". I thought all along that I was speaking of the fifth and the twelfth. Nevertheless it seems to me that however stupid you may consider me, you ought to at least credit me with the sense...
Show moreOctober 19, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Pete, your letter explains your telegram. I could not understand what there was indefinite or inexplicit in my Sunday letter. I cannot explain yet what I meant by speaking of the eighth and the fifteenth--it must have been a "slip of the typewriter". I thought all along that I was speaking of the fifth and the twelfth. Nevertheless it seems to me that however stupid you may consider me, you ought to at least credit me with the sense of knowing that football games take place on Saturdays and not on Tuesdays. The date of the Yale game, Novermber twelfth, Saturday, is the same day as interclass debate, Novembertwelfth, Saturday, at eight o'lcock[sic] in the evening. If I make the team I can't go to the game. Therefore the only thing to say now is that I can't go. That is clear, isn't it? As to Grace, it never entered my head that you had invited her to the Yale game and intended to tote me along. She would enjoy that--I am sure. A sort of "Come and bring your family" effect. You take her to the Yale game and have a good time with her. I shall go to Princeton with you Saturday, November fifth, to the Princeton-Marvard game. For heavens' sake----------------I hope that is clear and final. I am glad there have been several hundred miles between us, or I would have been chocked all right. I have a Zo written on Friday, unfortunately. Did I ever send Dr. Keene's letter back, Mother? R. S. V. P. I had a shampoo this afternoon and took a walk with Helen Reid. I have to work tonight. So far I can't hand Miss Wylie as much as you and Lucy do I guess I am not high-brow enough. But I am cracked enough about Miss Ellory to make up for it. The big idea of not writing for your birthday is because I think a telegram is much more exciting--besides which, it always peaves you if I spend fifty-three cents when two would have answered the purpose, plus one tenth of a cent for stationery. Moreover, you always deliver long, philosophical speeches on the folly of a fuss about a birthday, so I did not write what you and I always write on occasions--" I congratulate you on your birthday and wish you many happy more. I am certainly sorry that we cannot be together". However, if your feelings are hurt, change the date at the top of the page, and you have a birthday letter I thought the only kind of special letters you like are Yom Kippur letters. Love, Fan
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 10/22/19
Text: October 22, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Still I don;t know if you are coming Saturday, Father. Lester, I will go to whichever game it suits the family best. I rather think that two week-ends straight will be rather hard to manage, but of course I could do it. Mother and Father, I sent you a card from Mohonk too. You have told me about the stupid stunt you did when you were at boarding-school, addressing letters home to Cleveland. I mailed the card without an address! I got it in an...
Show moreOctober 22, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Still I don;t know if you are coming Saturday, Father. Lester, I will go to whichever game it suits the family best. I rather think that two week-ends straight will be rather hard to manage, but of course I could do it. Mother and Father, I sent you a card from Mohonk too. You have told me about the stupid stunt you did when you were at boarding-school, addressing letters home to Cleveland. I mailed the card without an address! I got it in an envelope from Schalls today. I got an A-[minus] on the math quizz I had fully expected to flunk on. The only mistake was a mistake in the third decimal of a number that I had right on the scratch paper and forgot to change on the regular paper. When Miss Wells handed me my paper I made an exclamation to that effect. She said, "Well that is sad, but it was a very good paper anyway." I certainly like Math and her, also Miss Thallon. The latter is the most unteacher-like person I ever want to see. Miss Hourne has called on me every day since the interview, and I am very grateful to her for it. Today she told me my translation was very good. Altogether I am beginning to see a ray of hope for yours truly. For tomorrow we have to read one hundred and thirty two pages of French and copy all the idiomatic expressions. That is all. Talking about French, one of our Freshmen in Davison had to go home about two weeks ago. Her room was taken by a French girl twenty three years old who is to teach part time and study the rest. She is classed as a Junior. I am anxious to get to know her. It will be a good way of talking French if she is worth talking to. I forgot to put a special on Last Friday's letter--I had intended to. I had the door of my room fixed so that it would shut a long time ago. I also got them to give me a key both for the door and for the closet door. Lester, don't make your copies, carbon, I mean, so neat. You make me ashamed of mine. But then I write my letters in from ten to fifteen minutes, so apologies are unnecessary. I enjoyed Miss Wiley's lecture very much. It was not suppose to be deep--it was simply to explain to us the importance of the study of English, and why Freshman English was made to embrace what it does. She also explained the shift, which is made on the basis of preparation and I should judge also, intellectual ability. They tried to test from the standpoint of what you get from reading, what ideas reading brings you to, your powers of expression etc. From all I can gather I was put into a medium section. It is gratifying to know it is not the dunce section. Love, [Fannie][enc w/ 22 oct. 1919] Mother, The advice not to ride horseback came in the afternoon mail. I had arranged with Lucy to go today. I had also gone to get a ticket, but unfortunately the girl was not home. I cancelled the order for horses, and we are going to walk to the cider mill instead. It did not hurt me in Glacier Park, but I guess it is just as well not to. Carolyn Bailey had gone to New York for the week-end. We have no arranged a time yet. Oh, I'll feign to be very generous.
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1922-04-10
Text: April 10, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Lucy came at 11 yesterday morning. I finished the history topic, but cannor get the English in until tomorrow. It is great to have her--but the work! She delivered the various messages. I do not know what madicine you mean, unless Dr. F's and I stopped that when I got the headache. Also, I have neither the time nor the pep to go to Amherst, much as I would like to. Also, she consideres me very lucky to get on south corridor first floor at...
Show moreApril 10, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Lucy came at 11 yesterday morning. I finished the history topic, but cannor get the English in until tomorrow. It is great to have her--but the work! She delivered the various messages. I do not know what madicine you mean, unless Dr. F's and I stopped that when I got the headache. Also, I have neither the time nor the pep to go to Amherst, much as I would like to. Also, she consideres me very lucky to get on south corridor first floor at the chapel end, so I do hope you are satisfied. She agreed that it was much the wisest thing to do, under the circumstances. She brought a cake for us. She is highly amused that I have drawn my room for senior year, and equally amused that I have a freshman "under my wing" just as she had me. Ha ha! Eleanor Wolf is taking us to lunch today. There isn't much time for work when one has a guest, so my letters will be brief. She leaves Wednesday morning. Love, Fannie
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1913-01-18
Text: January 18, 1913 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I missed the afternoon mail yesterday, so I sent my letter special this A. M.--hope you will get it. I have decided to do Leibnitz for my exam, and shall start on it tomorrow. Nothing new to report, except that I have engaged the following at Miss Mullaly's for Commencement: a room on second floor with double bed and cot (comfortable--like college cots), a room downstairs with double bed (rear of house), and another room downstairs with...
Show moreJanuary 18, 1913 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I missed the afternoon mail yesterday, so I sent my letter special this A. M.--hope you will get it. I have decided to do Leibnitz for my exam, and shall start on it tomorrow. Nothing new to report, except that I have engaged the following at Miss Mullaly's for Commencement: a room on second floor with double bed and cot (comfortable--like college cots), a room downstairs with double bed (rear of house), and another room downstairs with large bed. It is the best I could get, and she assures me that they are quiet and comfortable. I had to argue quite a while to convince her that my family weren't keen about double beds. Does that suit you? R. S. V. P. There is another house, two blocks farther from college, where I inquired, but they too have cots. Personally, I think they are more comfortable than the average rickety bed. I engaged Miss Mullaly's definitely--tell me if they do not suit, please. Love, Fannie Am going for a walk now--I have adopted the fresh air cure. This is the period of the year that I always dislike college. Without fearing exams, I certainly hate the pre-exam atmosphere, as it has been the last ten days. I went off to lunch with Hlen and Kro today, and it felt good to eat some food that was recognizable as such.
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: [1923-05-30]
Text: [30 May 1923] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I just came from my last class, and I've only felt quite as unhappy on one other historic occasion in my college course. Maybe I wouldn't love to start all over again! We give Rocky steps to '24 tonight. I'm glad I have to study for tomorrow's exam instead of spending any more time moping. Honestly, I didn't know I could feel so miserably unhappy about leaving. Love, Fannie I hate sentimentality normally--excuse me,...
Show more[30 May 1923] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I just came from my last class, and I've only felt quite as unhappy on one other historic occasion in my college course. Maybe I wouldn't love to start all over again! We give Rocky steps to '24 tonight. I'm glad I have to study for tomorrow's exam instead of spending any more time moping. Honestly, I didn't know I could feel so miserably unhappy about leaving. Love, Fannie I hate sentimentality normally--excuse me, please.
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-12-06
Text: December 6, 1920 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Before I forget about it--we have to wear white shirt-waists and skirts for the debate. I sent home my best white skirt. I have another fresh one here, but I would rather have that one if you can have it here by next Monday without too much trouble. Besides which, it has nice big pockets and they may come in handy for rebuttall notes. It is the one made at Horne's this year. It has a fancy check pattern (the material, I mean). I might have...
Show moreDecember 6, 1920 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Before I forget about it--we have to wear white shirt-waists and skirts for the debate. I sent home my best white skirt. I have another fresh one here, but I would rather have that one if you can have it here by next Monday without too much trouble. Besides which, it has nice big pockets and they may come in handy for rebuttall notes. It is the one made at Horne's this year. It has a fancy check pattern (the material, I mean). I might have put this in a separate note, and spared you the ordeal of reading it, Father and Pete! I found the enclosed note on my door when I came back from the libe yesterday afternoon. Isn't it great? Please return it, as I must preserve it with the other important records of my college history! For your information, Pete, it is a note informing me confidentially that "unless something very unforeseen shoudl happen" I will undoubtedly be one of the three speakers, not just an alternate. I am delighted, etc. and yet I am sure that the tension and excitement and intensive practice in not the best thing for one's health. However, I started and am going to see it through. I shall have to practice some strong will-power (exercise, I mean), in the next few days and see if that will keep me from dreaming debate every single night. I had planned to spend yesterday afternoon working on my history topic, but the debate schedule was posted just after I went and Phyllis and her roommate, who were on the same side with me, proceeded to start a systematic search of the library and they kept it up until they found me. They had to have their meeting yesterday, inasmuch as honorable B. Bishop is a "very important person" in college a activities and that was her only free time for the next two days. So that is where my work went. It took us two hours. And I must do some debate reading in the very near future, too. Goodnight, it is a good thing vacation is coming soon. Father, once upon a time you used to get newspaper clippings from the Pittsburgh papers. If you ever get anything along an economic line, please save them for me until I come home. Also, please save your Babson bulletins, or whatever they are called. I do wish my laundry would come. It has never been so late before--just because I need it, I guess. love, FannieDear Fannie - You'll notice that I put you up for negative [to-morow] - Now don't be discouraged, for unless something very [unforseen] happens you'llsurely be [ ] the final team. I thought I ought to give Betty [Cannon] another chance on the affirmative as I've only heard her there once. I thought youwouldn't [ ] changing over for once. Also I want + must [have], No negative very strong to-morrow night - no one seems to know enough strong [neg] arguments + there are loads - Even [Do'] you do [huon] [ ] you'll not do the neg. finally please work very hard for tomorrow - You're with Bish + Phil - Don't tell anyone please that I told you - I just didn't want you to be discouraged. Khaki
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1923-03-08]
Text: [postmarked 8 March 1923] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Phi Bet was announced tonight. I did not get it. Elizabeth did. So did Phyllls Harman. She and I had practically the same marks . She had one more A and two more C's than I. Twenty seniors (including last year's Juniors) got it. Seven Juniors were elected, including Maxine. I bet Phyll was the twentieth and I the twenty-first. Incidentally, I have balled my eyes out over it. I am so disgusted with, myself I know perfectly...
Show more[postmarked 8 March 1923] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Phi Bet was announced tonight. I did not get it. Elizabeth did. So did Phyllls Harman. She and I had practically the same marks . She had one more A and two more C's than I. Twenty seniors (including last year's Juniors) got it. Seven Juniors were elected, including Maxine. I bet Phyll was the twentieth and I the twenty-first. Incidentally, I have balled my eyes out over it. I am so disgusted with, myself I know perfectly well that it doesn't amount to much, and that on the whole a very unreprsesntative[sic] grindy group from our class got it, but I am as disappointed as though the whole world hinged on it. Isn't it ridiculous? And if one more person tells me that she is surprised that I didn't get it, I'll go crazy, I think! Anyhow, I have Mlle. Marie Champy to think from freshman year for cheating me out of it. Honestly, you can't imagine how unhappy I am about it, and I don't want to show it around here. Debating, and everything else, seem so insignificant. I have thought all this year that maybe that is one thing that would give me a little confidence in myself. Phyllis came in to "sympathize" and blubbered all over me, and I thought I would choke on the spot, but I bluffed it through all right.Well, this is the first real disappointment in my young life, and I guess the sooner one gets initiated the better it is! Don't bother writing to me that Phi Beta Kappa isn't worth a darn, because you know perfectly well it is. Love, Fannie
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 3/9/20
Text: March 9, 1029. Dear Mother, Father, and pete: I shall be terribly busy today. I have a long history written tomorrow, and sort of a half topic due Friday. I went down to the station yesterday afternoon, ordered a lower the eight-thirty and if they cannot get it, a lower for the eleven-thirty. I don't want to take a chance on an upper. This is for Friday night. It would be much more of a rush leaving sooner, and I would like to finish out the week. I also paid for having my trunk called...
Show moreMarch 9, 1029. Dear Mother, Father, and pete: I shall be terribly busy today. I have a long history written tomorrow, and sort of a half topic due Friday. I went down to the station yesterday afternoon, ordered a lower the eight-thirty and if they cannot get it, a lower for the eleven-thirty. I don't want to take a chance on an upper. This is for Friday night. It would be much more of a rush leaving sooner, and I would like to finish out the week. I also paid for having my trunk called for, and got the check. They say that they cannot get out here for it Friday morning unless the snow melts some, but it is melting now, so it is all right. In case they cannot get it, I will have Lucy see to it that the janitor's office here hauls it to Main--they can get there all right. At any rate, I don't want to repeat December's experience. I left at three and did not get back till after five. I was quite busy with work, too. Your special was here when i got back. I took your letter to the doctor's office this morning. Dr. B. was there. She was very nice. She gave me a note to Miss Smith. That is all that is necessary. I shall write Aunt Bessie my plans. I'll leave here on the three fifty-eight, and if they can meet me for dinner, all right, otherwise I can shift myself all right. To leave at eleven-thirty-eight and go out to Woodmere would be too much of a rush. My conference with Miss Kitchel yesterday was supposed to be a fifteen minute session, but it lasted forty-five. She was most encouraging. She said my writing had improved lots since the beginning of the year. She took out her grade book, and told me that all my themes last semester were C themes, except a few that were B. My exam was C. She said my grade for the semester was Cplus. She had given back all this semester's themes to be corrected before the conference. I got B plus on the resume of Prexie's lecture in Freshman English, C plus on one, and B on the other three. Two of them, those I fought with most--she said were very fine and I should rewrite for prospective contributions to the Sampler. Of course they Sampler board may not accept them, but I never thought I would even get as far as that. I spoke to her also about the difficulty of never being able to talk in class, and she agreed with me perfectly, and said I should make a little more noise when I had anything to say, that she wished it were in her power to shut some of the chatterboxes up. She even mentioned them by name! She asked me the first think whether I was feel better than i had been, and that gave me a chance to ask about the work. She said you were quite right in wanting me to go home, and she told me just what I would miss. I will have to read a novel--terrible job--and a good deal of Meredith's and Whitman's poems. If you have time, would you mind ordering the book for me, "Changing Winds" of St. John Ervine?Mlle. Champy promised this morning to send me a note in the unstamped telling me what we would read the next two weeks. I know that we will be reading "Quatre- Vingt- Treize" for one thing, and we have that at home. I have read it, too. I have not stoken[sic] to the others yet. I wish I did not have to go to him----hospital, but then I could not be much luckier in nearness to you. I hope I don't get some crank of a nurse. I have now to hunt the janitor up and get him to get my trunk down, to be packed in odd moments. I don't think I'll run the risk of not bringing enough stuff home, or for some unexpecte reason I won't have to stay in bed. Love, Evidently I am fated not to be musically educated. I shall miss the next Philharmonic, also Kreisler.
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-03-15
Text: March 15, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, Pete: I had lab yesterday afternoon and in accordance with my usual custom spent the rest of the afternoon resting from the exertion. I was first first affirmative with the regulars last night. It was a pretty good debate. Lucy was there as committee. It is the first time that she has heard me. I tried my best to make her stay away, but she would not. I am quite tired today as a result of walking up about a thousand times during the night. I was planning...
Show moreMarch 15, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, Pete: I had lab yesterday afternoon and in accordance with my usual custom spent the rest of the afternoon resting from the exertion. I was first first affirmative with the regulars last night. It was a pretty good debate. Lucy was there as committee. It is the first time that she has heard me. I tried my best to make her stay away, but she would not. I am quite tired today as a result of walking up about a thousand times during the night. I was planning to get up a six thirty to finish writing my chem paper and I kept waking up, thinking I had overslept. With an Ec midsemester Monday and a chem midsemester Tuesday, i guess it is just as well for me that I am not going to Wellesley. I shall have to study a lot for the chem one, and plenty for the Ec one. I have not done exactly what one would call keeping up with one's work this semester, but what I have done instead has been worth it. I am out for debate again tonight, which means a very full day today. Mrs. Kaufmann is going to spend the last three days before vacation here. The most interesting news I have is the definite denial of the rumor which apperently had some foundation that Smith has a colored girl on its team and is sending her here. Everybody was very much excited about it. I heard some of the craziest things said. One thing was absolutely sure, because I heard it said myself. Minerva Turnbull, who is the third affirmative speaker and the backbone of the debate, said that she absolutely refused to debate if it was so. So Peggy Bliss had to write and find out, but the information was that the girl was on the materials committee and not a speaker. It was news to me that Smith took colored students. I think refusing to debate a girl because she happens to be colored is just about the narrowest thing I ever heard of. It is a good thing for Minerva Turnbull that she is not on the negative, advocating equality and democracy and more fine-sounding stuff when she can't apply it any more than that! With them few words, I'll draw my speech to a close in order to be able to keep a shampoo appointment. I hope you are getting better as quickly as possible, Mother. Father, your letters still continue indefinite and answering nothing. I would still like to know how long Mother is going to be in the hospital. Love, Fannie
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1923-01-19 [?]
Text: [19 Jan 1923?] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Lois Barclay, the official tutor of the Ec department, and Millsy's right-hand man, told me last night that of the twenty-five who applied for Seminar, only six were admitted, and they were the only ones whom the whole department agreed on. Considering that I have never had an A in the department, I don't quite see why I got in, unless it was because of my topic Peg Ray, '22, assistant in the department, told me the other night...
Show more[19 Jan 1923?] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Lois Barclay, the official tutor of the Ec department, and Millsy's right-hand man, told me last night that of the twenty-five who applied for Seminar, only six were admitted, and they were the only ones whom the whole department agreed on. Considering that I have never had an A in the department, I don't quite see why I got in, unless it was because of my topic Peg Ray, '22, assistant in the department, told me the other night that he had been raving to her about how splendid it was, and he praised it so much that she read some of it. Day by day-------! Miss Cowley called on my yesterday afternoon. My room was in great disorder and I was eating an organge[sic] hanging over the waste-basket when she appeared. I was a little embarrassed. We discussed typewriters most of the time. She came back by day Sunday, and counted on making the eight o'clock up, getting in at the Pa. at seven-fifty. Needless to say, she missed connections. I had a letter from Helen Stern this morning telling me she expects me to stay with her Tuesday night, before going to Atlantic Wednesday. Will you be in N. Y. then? Of course if you are I want to stay with you. R. S. V. P. so that I can let her know as soon as possible. Miss Brown gave us our exam questions for Tolerance exam this morning--it is hard enough to wake up the dead. Here's where we pay the price of loafing all semester! The questions necessitate doing the whole semester's course between now and the day of the exam, and I have four others that I have to study hard for! I start this afternoon. Have a good time in New York, and don't let them elect you president, Pop. Orders to Marcus from his boss. Love, Fannie Friday--middle of January
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 11/24/19
Text: November 24, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I hope you enjoyed the telephone conversation yesterday, because it was not what I would call satisfactory. I did not hear you plainly at all. I had planned to get a lot of work done yesterday, but somehow or other, a thousand different things kept me from it. One thing I did accomplish, though. We called on Miss Thallon, and left our cards--she was out. We then proceeded to Miss Palmer's house, where there were about twenty others. Her...
Show moreNovember 24, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I hope you enjoyed the telephone conversation yesterday, because it was not what I would call satisfactory. I did not hear you plainly at all. I had planned to get a lot of work done yesterday, but somehow or other, a thousand different things kept me from it. One thing I did accomplish, though. We called on Miss Thallon, and left our cards--she was out. We then proceeded to Miss Palmer's house, where there were about twenty others. Her two nephews were visiting her, and they certainly tried desperately to appear at ease. I imagine there is only one thing stiffer than calling on the head warden, and that is calling on the dean. I expect to have that sensation tonight. I then landed at Miss Cowley's. She talked her head off, as usual, and fed us up on tea and cake. I spent last night working on a doll's dress. The college dresses about a thousand dolls for Christmas for poor kids in Poughkeepsie. The minister was pretty good yesterday morning, that is he cracked enough jokes to keep me awake. I sat forward, so I was actually able to hear. Helen Reid's parents are coming on Tuesday to stay in Poug-h-keepsie as long as they can stand it. She surely is excited. Dorothea passed her Solid Geometry exam on a B. I heard today that Clifford Sellers' died. Her two brothers were killed in the war, and her mother is dead. He is supposed to have died while she was acting Saturday night in the Workshop Plays. I saw the dress rehearsal of those plays Saturday afternoon. They are very good, and there is some very fine acting in them--particularly Clifford Sellers'. The price of admission is the promise to write and send in criticism. I wish Wednesday were here. Love, [Fannie]
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 11/1/19
Text: November 1, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Group meetings, Pete, take place for the purpose of acting the business of the student association. The particular business that night was to vote on the amount of money to be spent for lectures, concerts, etc., and whom to have. I just came back from an hour and a half meeting of Davison Freshmen. We were working on our stunt party. It ought to be very good. I played basket-ball in the gym yesterday afternoon. Before that I wrote to you, then...
Show moreNovember 1, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Group meetings, Pete, take place for the purpose of acting the business of the student association. The particular business that night was to vote on the amount of money to be spent for lectures, concerts, etc., and whom to have. I just came back from an hour and a half meeting of Davison Freshmen. We were working on our stunt party. It ought to be very good. I played basket-ball in the gym yesterday afternoon. Before that I wrote to you, then pressed my costume. We shall have to dress up for the Junior Party next Saturday--I believe we are to fo as our ambitins. I think our ambitions can be most anything. Tell Aunt Hattie to write me a description of the other costumes. It rained last night, so we had no chapel. I wrote letters for two hours. i wrote Mrs. Weil a thank you note, Mrs. Schall an explanation note, and Miss Anderson an answer to some of her letter. I also wrote to Marian and some post-cards to some of the kids. I still have five letters to write. There was a Hallowe'en party last night in the gym. At nine o'clock the Freshmen class marched to Olive Watkins' room and serenaded our president. She was quite fussed, although she is supposed to be extremely well poised, I believe that is the expression. The Hollowe'en stunts were pretty good. I missed some of it. I saw Professor Drake in masquerade--as far as I could make out he looked like an orthodox rabbi. I shall look about the history book, Pete, but I am sure it was Dana Carlton Munro, because I noticed particularly. You know we do not write our topics out. It is an outline in book form on small note paper. I had eighty-four pages. There is a title-page, index, material, and bibliography. I'll bring it to New York if you want. I fooled around this morning and got to the dinin-room about a second after the bell rang, so I had to go around to the tables and collect what was left. Mother, please don't send any more food till I ask for it. I have more than i can use in a year. Please tell Mary. Also, if Mrs. Menges is not going to come anymore, I won't send my laundry home--I don't want you to stay at home doing my mending. I played tennis this morning with the French girl, Andree Pommier. I also talked French to her. She won one set and I won one. The courts were very slippery. I think I shall like her. I am sorry I forgot to special yesterday. Love, [Fannie]
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-12-15
Text: Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Perhaps you will welcome a letter for a change. I sent my trunk off this morning, so it certainly ought to be home in time. I mailed the check to you this morning, also. We had a fiendish chem written this morning. I had a conference with Miss Peelbed yesterday--it was supposed to be a fifteen minute one, but it lasted three quarters of an hour. She went over all my papers, and said that the written work was excellent, but that I did not "be stire myself...
Show moreDear Mother, Father, and Pete: Perhaps you will welcome a letter for a change. I sent my trunk off this morning, so it certainly ought to be home in time. I mailed the check to you this morning, also. We had a fiendish chem written this morning. I had a conference with Miss Peelbed yesterday--it was supposed to be a fifteen minute one, but it lasted three quarters of an hour. She went over all my papers, and said that the written work was excellent, but that I did not "be stire myself to speak in class", which she did not think was a very wise plan. Here after I shall pop up more, even if I don't say anything very deep. I have an hour of lab today, and then I'll be through for the week. I haven't started my history topic yet, and it is due Friday. Miss Peebles said I could hand in after the vacation the paper that she announced was due Friday. It was very nice of her. I have pages pages to tell you about debate, but it will have to keep until I get home. You may be interested in knowing that the vote that was cast for us was Miss Yost's, and inasmuch as she teaches argumentation, I feel that hers is more valuable than the other two. She was very firmly convinced that we were by far the best. The other two judges were not so sure of their reasons. Enough for today. Love, Fannie December 15, 1920
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1923-05-28]
Text: Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Received the following note from Aunt Carrie today:--"We wish to thank you for your letter of congratulation to Phillip's confirmation. We are well and hope you are likewise. Accept our congratulations to your graduation, which event will soon take place. Love to you from Hanauers"!!!! To think that I once accused Uncle Hugo of being too literal! Trunks are down already. It's terrible. You certainly don't need Tuxedos. You won't...
Show moreDear Mother, Father, and Pete: Received the following note from Aunt Carrie today:--"We wish to thank you for your letter of congratulation to Phillip's confirmation. We are well and hope you are likewise. Accept our congratulations to your graduation, which event will soon take place. Love to you from Hanauers"!!!! To think that I once accused Uncle Hugo of being too literal! Trunks are down already. It's terrible. You certainly don't need Tuxedos. You won't need a lot of clothes. I should suggest a thin voile for all occasions, as I can't believe that the present delightful weather will continue. You really don't have to dress much. I guess you ought to wear something that looks nice for Prexie's reception--otherwise you needn't bother at all. That's all I know. If that doesn't suffice, ask Lucy. Love, Fannie
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 10/1/19
Text: October 1, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It is funny that I have always a lot to write, in spite of the fact that I write every day. Before I forget, Pete, I simply forgot to mention the tennis score, that is all. I beat Rurth Franklin 6-1 and 5-3. I played miserably at that. Yesterday afternoon I played again. Since you seem to want to know all the details, I played with a Freshman named Anne Halliday, who hails from Memphis, Tennessee. She looks exceedingly athletic, and I thought I...
Show moreOctober 1, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It is funny that I have always a lot to write, in spite of the fact that I write every day. Before I forget, Pete, I simply forgot to mention the tennis score, that is all. I beat Rurth Franklin 6-1 and 5-3. I played miserably at that. Yesterday afternoon I played again. Since you seem to want to know all the details, I played with a Freshman named Anne Halliday, who hails from Memphis, Tennessee. She looks exceedingly athletic, and I thought I would have a stiff pull, but we ended up 6-3 and 3-5, my score first. I was up for hockey the hour before that, but only one girl turned out beside me, so we had the benefit of an hour's private instruction. It certainly was useful. I am going to play both today again. The other girl who was out had played golf the day before. The course is quite a ways the other other side of Poughkeepsie. You have to take at least two cars to get there. It is an easy nine hole course. I think there is plenty to do around college that takes much less time. I got through with my work in good time yesterday, so I landed in bed at nine-fifteen. Lucy coma[sic] just after I got to bed. She staid and talked quite a qhile. You would not know her here, she is an altogether different girl from what she is at home. I told her about the English interview. She told me the sooner I get used to being told my faults and not my merits the better off I will be. She said after her first English interview she went to Helen Jackson's room and let out in her presence the same as I did here. I realized in about one-half hour what a nut I had been. Unfortunately I had already mailed the letter. She game me Hail Columbia for writing about it to you. She said you would think it was lots worse that it was, and you would start to worry when I had already forgotten about it. I don't think that is so, but if it is, forgive me. She also told me that marking here is not only much sricter than at High School, but stricter than at any of the women's colleges, that girls who flunk out here often go to Smith, and get along very well, also that many who cannot get in here go to Wellesly. I don't know how much of that is true. At any rate she said that two years ago they lowered their system of marking, so that what had previously been A was equivalen[sic] to B, and that they wanted to lower it one more, but some of the faculty would not stand for it, because two-thirds of her class is already below graduation grade. Don't get excited that she told me all this--she simply did it to show me that the fact that I had a C on the theme she picked to pieces simply indicated that it might have been lots worse. This is not to the point here, but I have forgotten it every day so far. When was the telescope from Lucky's to come?Classes went much better today again. Miss Thallon was back, hobbling around on crutches. I saw Miss Smith again today. She is very nice. My first impressions are almost always wrong. She wanted all the particulars on how I was getting along. I told her it was very hard last week, that I was not used to work yet. She said "Oh, well, work is not the thing we are going to worry about in you." Where did she get the dope? Do you suppose she looked up my record? I hardly think you would have told her, Mother. I got your letter, Mother, and yours, Pete, about the French. Owing to the fact that work has not been a snap, I had practically made up my mind to continue with Freshman French. But I do agree with you that it would be perfectly ridiculous to suppose that I did not know more about French than most girls taking Freshman French. One thing I am sure of myself, and that is that I can talk much better. I considered the matter carefully myself, and then I spoke to Lucy. Before I spoke with her I decided that if by taking a second advanced course I could avoid the exam and still have sufficient foreign language credit, and if I could get Miss White of someone equally good, I would try the exam. If I am very low on the exam, I will stay where I am. I don't want to get myself in deep, that is what I mean. I will probably have to give up my fine schedule. The preparation for the three recitations we have had so far have each taken me two hours. She give over fifty pages to read, and not only to read, but to do various things with them. That would take me that long in English, too. I think I will take the exam, and not talk to anyone else. I don't know any upper=classmen who have not taken this French. Lucy knows about as much as anyone on the subject. She said Freshman is a rotten course, and everyone knows it. Soph. French is more interesting, she said. She agrees with me, that I should try the exam, and if I am not too low, take Soph French, and then take another advanced course againb. I have the craziest feeling on the subject, that no matter which I do, I'll be doing the wrong thing. I play off the tennis match tomorrow afternoon. Love, Are you coming, Pete? [Fannie]
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-03-08
Text: March 8, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: There is nothing much to report in the way of news, so I fear this lietter will be just about as interesting as a great many of your "slept for two hours suspended from the ceiling, lying over my desk "ones, Pete. We have our chem mid-semester two weeks from today. Ugh--! We have to write up the last four lectures for next week. I have a paper on something of Spenser's due next Monday. Debate hasn't helped me particularly in an...
Show moreMarch 8, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: There is nothing much to report in the way of news, so I fear this lietter will be just about as interesting as a great many of your "slept for two hours suspended from the ceiling, lying over my desk "ones, Pete. We have our chem mid-semester two weeks from today. Ugh--! We have to write up the last four lectures for next week. I have a paper on something of Spenser's due next Monday. Debate hasn't helped me particularly in an academic way, I fear. I had debate practice last night, with four alternates, one speaker, and the chairman of debate. I felt as though I did miserabely. Somehow my tongue just wouldn't go right. I think I have gotten stale on the subject. Lots of others feel likewise about themselves. I wish the debate were this week instead of the week after. I think everybody would do better. I ate over in Lathrop with the chairman and one of the junior alternates Saturday night. I asked the latter if she was glad that she was going to Wellesley, and she said, "Thrilled to a peanute". Naturally that is the way everybody feels, and so I would not even mention to Peggy Bliss that I was so anxious to go. It is only fair to the Juniors and Seniors to let them go, and I might as well be a good sport. I guess there wil be some fun in entertaining the Smith delegates here, for that matter. I will be glad when vacation comes. I feel as though I need a real rest at home and some decent food, in addition to those few days at the informary. I feel all right again, but I also feel that a prolonged loaf will not be out of order. Love, Fannie
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-10-24
Text: October 24, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: My hands are so cold that I can hardly write. I had an easy psych written this morning. I also handed in the J paper and got that out of my system. After fifth hour this afternoon Jane and i went for a long walk. It was a wonderful day and the trees are gorgeous now. We then came back and watched with great excitement the Vassar--English stat team hockey game. I staid until I got too cold. We were losing to them, but not badly, and incidentally...
Show moreOctober 24, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: My hands are so cold that I can hardly write. I had an easy psych written this morning. I also handed in the J paper and got that out of my system. After fifth hour this afternoon Jane and i went for a long walk. It was a wonderful day and the trees are gorgeous now. We then came back and watched with great excitement the Vassar--English stat team hockey game. I staid until I got too cold. We were losing to them, but not badly, and incidentally putting up a great fight. At least we have company in being defeated by them. I have debate tryouts tonight. Love, Fannie
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-01-20
Text: January 20, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: The picture of Marse certainly is a scream. But I don't see why you say he will get sore--if he has any sense of humor at all, he will have to see how funny it is. I don't know how I could have been figuring that I should have gotten laundry this week--you could hardly have had any to send! I am sorry the last was late in coming. I sent it on Wednesday as usual. I am afraid this week's will be late. I took it to the post-office...
Show moreJanuary 20, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: The picture of Marse certainly is a scream. But I don't see why you say he will get sore--if he has any sense of humor at all, he will have to see how funny it is. I don't know how I could have been figuring that I should have gotten laundry this week--you could hardly have had any to send! I am sorry the last was late in coming. I sent it on Wednesday as usual. I am afraid this week's will be late. I took it to the post-office yesterday and put the stamps on. Today at noon I got a notice please to come to the post-office as soon as possible. My laundry was still there, inasmuch as I had hurried off after pasting on the stamps and forgotten to pay for them. Pete, you take me too seriously. You didn't suppose I meant the room-mate stuff seriously, did you? I made my speech in the big meeting of Speakers' Bureau yesterday afternoon. I was one of the four called on, which speaks pretty well for the Rhineeli if chances, I think. I expounded for seven minutes on Japanese immigration, as seen by Professor Albert Bushnell Hart. Oh, yes, I will be a high-brow one of these days. She cut the others up pretty much. Of me she said, "I have no criticism to offer. It was an excellent speech very well done, and it interested me very much". After the meeting she came up to me to tell me how well I did. Ahem! After the meeting I went skating for a half-hour. The ice is still fine. I managed a little better than the last time. Is the young lady aus Wellesley a good skater, Pete? I have to go to that d--- lab now. I wish it didn't tire me so. Mercedes de la Barra of Chile conducted our Spanish class today. It was extremely interesting. She had a lot of pictures and told us a lot about the country. I think I'll have to cultivate her acquaintance, inasmuch as she lives just below me. My oral English Speech exam comes next Tuesday and the written one, one hour long, comes next Thursday. Betty Humphreys and I are going to call on Miss Salmon tomorrow night. If we don't find anything else to talk about, we can at least talk about when she taught our mothers! Love, Fannie
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-05-08
Text: May 8, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Work is certainly piling up fast these days. i spent most of yesterday afternoon working on a history topic, and this morning on Romance. I hae to finish the topic this afternoon and spend this evening reading my Spanish novel. And some time in the near future I shall have to work out my course for the next two years. I watched Senior Prom last night for quite a while. It was not as pretty as Junior Prom, but very nice nevertheless. Senorita...
Show moreMay 8, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Work is certainly piling up fast these days. i spent most of yesterday afternoon working on a history topic, and this morning on Romance. I hae to finish the topic this afternoon and spend this evening reading my Spanish novel. And some time in the near future I shall have to work out my course for the next two years. I watched Senior Prom last night for quite a while. It was not as pretty as Junior Prom, but very nice nevertheless. Senorita Agostini looked wonderful, I don't think I have ever seen anyone so pretty. I had intended to find out about the Yale lock, Mother. I shall measure for curtains also. When I planned to visit Aunt Bessie I did not know about the whooping-cough. I certainly shall not go. I feel normal again, and have for several days. That was a setback, i guess, although I don't know what caused it. I am so engulfed in work that I can't think of anything interesting to write. What are the family plans for the summer, or arent't[sic] you making any until you see what is doing with the doctor? Am I to send the two dollar dues for the Sisterhood of do you do that for me? R. S. V. P. How about the Peabody subscription? Love, Fannie
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1920-05-20]
Text: [postmarked 20 May 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am sorry my postal did not interest you, Pete. I have been so busy that it is a wonder I had time to write even that. At least I don't spend time copying editorials. P. S. It was interesting and I enjoy reading it. I have to take a second math quiz over the week-end, also write a four hour theme, do Monday's work, and most of my Latin review. Miss Wells said she would give me an average of the other two as a mark, but the...
Show more[postmarked 20 May 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am sorry my postal did not interest you, Pete. I have been so busy that it is a wonder I had time to write even that. At least I don't spend time copying editorials. P. S. It was interesting and I enjoy reading it. I have to take a second math quiz over the week-end, also write a four hour theme, do Monday's work, and most of my Latin review. Miss Wells said she would give me an average of the other two as a mark, but the average is B, so I thought I would try my luck on another one. I am so dopy that I can hardly do anything intelligently, and sleeping and sitting outdoors do not seem to help me any. Our Frnech[sic] is quite interesting now--it is a shame that we had to spend so much time on seventeenth and eighteenth century stuff. There is to be a one-hour course next year in contemporary French literature. That is an innovation, but a very much needed one. I don't know what you mean by asking when I have to give Miss Mullaly an answer. I told her you would be here on the third of June. Is that not definite enough?[enc w/ pm 20 May 1920] Dear Mother, Does the handkerchief lined look all right for fairly good use? My blue figured voile from Franklin Simon last year, is too tight in the bust. it looks very badly, I think. So it might be well to have that in case of very hot weather. However, gingham with a petticoat instead of a slip is practically as cool. I got a note from Aunt Bessie this morning, announcing her intention to go home the next day. I am glad that I have put it across so well that I feel better. The pain itself could be improved upon, and I certainly would enjoy feeling awake a few hours a day anyhow.
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1923-04-16]
Text: [postmakred 16 Apr 1923, addressed to Hotel Traymore] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I wish I had time to write you all about the week-end, but it will have to keep till I see you. I have never enjoyed anything more. I am very glad I went. It was a splendid tonic. We got to Haverford by auto at eleven thirty Friday night. Slept late, and then went to inspect Bryn Mawr. The debate was intensely interesting, humorous, etc. There were about five hundred there. Penn was wonderful. They deserved...
Show more[postmakred 16 Apr 1923, addressed to Hotel Traymore] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I wish I had time to write you all about the week-end, but it will have to keep till I see you. I have never enjoyed anything more. I am very glad I went. It was a splendid tonic. We got to Haverford by auto at eleven thirty Friday night. Slept late, and then went to inspect Bryn Mawr. The debate was intensely interesting, humorous, etc. There were about five hundred there. Penn was wonderful. They deserved the victory absolutely, The first person i bumped into as I entered the hall was Robert Gerstenlauer, the star of the Brown debate last year. He is teaching Public Speaking at Penn and coached this debate. He sat next to me during the debate, so it was very interesting. After the debate they danced till twelve. That was lots of fun, too. Then when we got home we talked about it till one thirty. Got to Germantown just in time for dinner. Mrs. W. is in St. Louis. The old man certainly is a surely gentleman. I think he takes himself much too seriously. He said about ten words during dinner, and those were to ball Bill out in no gentle manner. The latter is an overgrown darn fool, I should say. I should also say that you were lucky to end your friendship with Margaret. She is a well-meaning stick-in-the-mud, homely as Hades, who tries to appear high-brow. I think Catherine has the brains of the bunch, but she certainly is a fresh kid. After dinner Bill took us and the vererinary out to the country while he inspected a horse which he didn't buy. It wa a scream. I cam back with Fliss Clothier. We wrote the deabte up for the Misc and worked the rest of the way. Wouldn't you rather spend Saturday here than Sunday? I will be through with my preparation by Friday and you won't be interfering in the least. In fact, I'd like to have you, because I won't be able to concentrate on academic work, and so that would be a fine way to spend the time. The Williams men won't be here yet. and they probably will be here Sunday, and I will be expected to fool with them, as we did with Brown last year. So it would be much more convenient to have you here Saturday than Sunday. I will be able to spend much more time with you. R. S. V. P. immediately, In great Haste. F. H. A.
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1922-01-23
Text: January 23, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I had dinner in Main yesterday noon with Helen Stern--the girl you didn't like because she had powdered her nose at the Lafayette debate, Pete--and after that we had a wonderful two hour walk out over the snow. It was wonderful going out, but dreadfully cold coming home against the wind. I then came home and tried more or less unscuccessfully[sic], to digest Childe Harold for the rest of the afternoon and evening. Do you think you'll...
Show moreJanuary 23, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I had dinner in Main yesterday noon with Helen Stern--the girl you didn't like because she had powdered her nose at the Lafayette debate, Pete--and after that we had a wonderful two hour walk out over the snow. It was wonderful going out, but dreadfully cold coming home against the wind. I then came home and tried more or less unscuccessfully[sic], to digest Childe Harold for the rest of the afternoon and evening. Do you think you'll be able to come to New York after exams, Mother? What are the prospects? My exam schedule--exactly, this time--is: Friday, Jan. 27--8:20 to 10:20--Socialism Saturday, Jan 28--10:50 to 12:50-Nineteenth Century Poetry Saturday, Jan. 28--2:30 to 4:30 Psychology Thursday Feb. 2--8:20 to 10:20 French Rev. Thursday Feb. 2--2:30 to 4:30 Zoology I went to "Dark Music" last night in an effort to educate myself musically. It is very enjoyable, even if I can't remember what was played. It is the only time you can lie down in chapel. Love, Fannie
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1922-11-25]
Text: [postmarked 25 Nov 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Please send Ibsen's "Ghosts" and "Dolls' House" in the next laundry. I need them fro Drama. The box came from Stevenson's. Thank you very much for it. The pictures from Atlantic also came the other day. The one of you is excellent, Father but I don't think yours is good, Mother? For one thing, I am more interested in your face than your hat, and the former is obstructed by the latter. Marse...
Show more[postmarked 25 Nov 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Please send Ibsen's "Ghosts" and "Dolls' House" in the next laundry. I need them fro Drama. The box came from Stevenson's. Thank you very much for it. The pictures from Atlantic also came the other day. The one of you is excellent, Father but I don't think yours is good, Mother? For one thing, I am more interested in your face than your hat, and the former is obstructed by the latter. Marse invites me to spend Thanksgiving day in New York with him and go to theater, but I think it foolish inasmuch as I have all Christmas vacation to go to theater there. Heard an exceedingly interesting two hour discussion of the Near Eastern situation last night by Mr. Paxton Hibben. He's strong for Russia but exceedingly interesting. Love, Fannie I'm off to my topics for the afternoon.
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 11/4/19
Text: November 4, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Fool Champy assigned some reading yesterday to be done for today. Two copies of the book are to be found in the library, and one copy she has out. The lesson was assigned to two classes. I practically lost two hours and a half trying to get hold of the book. I told her so. She told me it was too bad, I could read the stuff next time! She returned some compositions today. As usual she told the class that there was room for much improvement, but...
Show moreNovember 4, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Fool Champy assigned some reading yesterday to be done for today. Two copies of the book are to be found in the library, and one copy she has out. The lesson was assigned to two classes. I practically lost two hours and a half trying to get hold of the book. I told her so. She told me it was too bad, I could read the stuff next time! She returned some compositions today. As usual she told the class that there was room for much improvement, but mine was very good. I got a B on it. I was assigned to an English conference with Miss Kitchel tomorrow morning. The history one comes Thursday evening. I was very busy in the library most of the afternoon yesterday, as I said before. After that I had to go to a stunt party rehearsal. The performance came off with great success, particularly the stunt I was in. It was very sill, i admit. I was gotten up so that some of the kids did not know me. I had a man's hat, spectacles, whickers, moustache, white shirt and read[sic] necktie, huge blue overalls, and big tan shoes. We are to repeat three of the stunts at the Maids' Club tonight. I could use the time to much better advantage, but I could not refuse. As far as i can make out, the more reading we do for English the merrier, and the better for our grades. That is all very well, except that I am very much limited for time, and I don't see how I can get very much done. Edith Lowman told me she saw Bertha in New York. I wonder if she is coming up here. I hope to get time to play basket-ball today. Lester, a long time ago you gave me some sort of advice about keeping a certain kind of notebook and writing up notes in it. What was the advice? It would take forever to look through your letters and find it, and I should like to know. Love, [Fannie]
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-05-13
Text: May 13, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I had a very unexpected visit Wednesday afternoon, and, I must say, it turned out to be a very interesting one. I was peacefully stetched out on my big Morris chair trying to wade through the Spanish novel the report on which is almost due when a girl who had just been up to my room to see me about fixing her costume for her for Sophomore Tree Ceremonies came back announcing that there was a man down staits to see me. Richard Fishel was up here for...
Show moreMay 13, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I had a very unexpected visit Wednesday afternoon, and, I must say, it turned out to be a very interesting one. I was peacefully stetched out on my big Morris chair trying to wade through the Spanish novel the report on which is almost due when a girl who had just been up to my room to see me about fixing her costume for her for Sophomore Tree Ceremonies came back announcing that there was a man down staits to see me. Richard Fishel was up here for the day with Helen and I immediately supposed it was he, being polite, or else that Helen had suddenly gotten cold feet about cutting so many classes and had gone to math class and sent Richard to me for an hour's entertainment. I thought I would be jiggered if I was going to get dressed to go down and talk to Richard Fishel for a half hour. She went down to find out who it was and came back with the information that it was David Glick. Well, i never have been more surprised. The last I knew he was working in Minneapolis. So I got dressed and went down. I must have acted my surprise, because I asked him what on earth brought him to Poughkeepsie, and he volunteered the information that it was to see me, of course. Well, that was a pretty nice line but it did sound fishy, so a minute latter I gathered the information that he was on his way from Albany to New York and that he got the idea on the train that he could stop off here and still make his seven o'clock appointment by taking the three-fifty eight. So we proceeded on an expedition of sightseeing over the campus, and accidentally interrupted a very clubby session of Richard's and Helen's "under the apple trees" on Sunset. I told Lucy afterwards, and she screamed, although I must say I didn't think it quite as funny as she did. We talked to them for a little while, and then went on to the top of the hill. The view of the mountains was perfect, and he surely did appreciate it, unless he was being excessively polite. I also showed him the prettiest parts of the chapel lake, and he maintained at least five times that it was a prettier campus than Princeton's. Then, when he started to rave about the outdoor theater and saw people rehearshing there, I got the bright idea that he was after an invitation to Thirda Hall, since he had said that he was going to be in New York until Sunday night unless he should have to go to Washington. So I asked him if he could come up for it, but was careful not to give him the impression that my life depended upon it. The long and short of it was that he would let me know Thursday if he could make it or not, but he thought he could. Yesterday if he could make it or not, but he thought he could. Yesterday I got about a forty word telegram to the effect that he had to leave for Washington, and that he and Frank had quite an argument as to the relative merits of the Princeton and Vassar campuses.He happened to look at his watch at twnety-five minutes to four and realize that he was about to miss his train, so we beat it back to Davison and I telephoned for a taxi. The train was late, so he just made it. He said he would call you up when he got home an assure you that I was to all appearances quite alive and well. He seems to be just the same as he was when I last saw him about two years ago, except that then I was so impressed with the fact that he was quite a little older than I that I stood quite in awe of him, but he seems suddenly to have gotten about three years younger. He has the same serious line, excessive enthusiasm, but perfect manners. That must have been acquired within the last two years! On the whole, I enjoyed the few hours very much. I guess I like serious people. He sends his best regards to you, Pete. I still don't make out why he stopped off, unless he was anxious to see Vassar. I got back from the station just in time to keep Henrietta Butler's and my date with Miss Smith to take her off-campus for dinner. It is something that I should have done a long time ago, and I am very glad we did not put it off any longer, the dinner went over very well, and altogther was quite successful It should have been for the price! I got a note from the janitor's office yesterday telling me that my laundry was there, please to call for it. They told me that it was found Founder's day and that somebody brought it in there. I have a vague recollection of calling for it that day at the Post Office because it did not come special delivery but I cannot remember where I left it. That accounts for my fear that it was lost on the way. I sent it home this morning special delivery--I hope it gets there in time for Monday. It poured all night and part of this morning, so Third Hall will have to be put off till tomorrow night. I certainly hope it doesn't rain tomorrow. Tonight we are going to have the only production at home of the four one act plays that our four stat actresses have been touring the country with all winter in the interest of the endowment fund. That will be as big a treat as Third Hall, if not moreso. They used to leave every week on Friday and get back in time for classes Monday, with one or two exceptions. Tickets sold everywhere for three dollars and we get the performance for nothing. I went to the movies last night--excitement! I had dinner with Lucy, Jeannette, and Helen Stern and I had told them I would probably go along. The picture is supposed to be an unusually fine one and every one around here is talking about it. Moreover, they kid me quite regularly because I dislike movies and so rarely go that I decided I would go if the picture was really worth while. It is supposed to be historical, but if I remember anything about French history, it is quite balledup. Whoever put the picture on didn't mind lapses of years. Anyhow, I never saw the storming of the Bastille before or scenes from the Reign of Terror. On the way home we got silly; that is, Lucy and I stated remembering things that happened the summers we were together for a while and one things was crazier than the other. Jeannette almost had Helen Stern believing that we had travelled around the world together once. I am going to read Spanish all afternoon or bust. There is too much else in college to go with languages. At least that is my present opinion, and since I hand in my elections today I won't have much chance to change my mind. I can get all the French I need in reading for French Rev. I asked Miss Ellory yesterday whether she would not advise taking that rather than Renaissance and Reformation in connection with Nineteenth Century Poetry, anf she said by all means. Miss Salmon signed me sequential study card yesterday in five minutes. That is record time--the college is full of tales about how she has been refusing to sign unless people take what she recommends. She argues and argues and then tells them to go home and think it over and come back tomorrow. But she thoroughly approved of my choice. Miss Smith talked about her at length the other evening. She feels as you do about her but she realizes her eccentricities just as much as we who have her now do. She said that Miss Salmon has been telling people to reconsider their choice if their plan includes a course with Jimmie Baldwin, and she says the only readon is that they had a scrap and don't get along together. That is some narrow-minded policy for one who professes to be as broad as she does. Miss Wylie signed for me in about two minutes. I am sure I shall enjoy working under her very much. I was going to introduce myself to her, but there was a huge line of people waiting outside the door with their cards and I felt that it would be quite out of place then. But I certainly shall next year when I have her. The present plan for next semester is:-- Psychology--Miss Washburn Socialism(so-called, really, Problems of Social Reorganization) Mills Nineteenth Century Poetry--Miss Wylie French Revolution--Miss Ellory Zoology--there is no such course as Biology--Prof. Treadwell If I decide over the summer that lab is going to wear me out the way it has this year, i shall change the science election to another history course. How does the course sound to you? I met Helen Reid's Father yesterday. He does not seem particulary exciting.Did I ever write that I got B on the last chem written--the second of the semester? That is quite an achievement for me. There were several B pluses, I don't think any A's. My last unknown turned out to be Bichloride of Mercury. I was thinking of your acquaintance of S. A. T. C. days, Pete. The clipping with the mine picture was very interesting, as was also the bill with I. P.'s name as big as life. I'll send the [check] to the Peabody fund. I am glad you are able to be outdoors again, Mother. I am also glad you will be able to go to Atlantic. It will be very good for you, I am sure. now I have a suggestion. What do you think of it? By next week I will be completely up to date in my work. You know I have had no week-ends at all this semester, so I could easily do this without missing anything in academic standing--take my prom leave and leave after my last class Thursday on the one nine and come to Atlantic and stay till Sunday noon. What would you think about it, or would you rather not? I have only two classes on Friday, and one is American history. I would not want to do it if you did not want me to--what do you think about it? R. S. V. P. I would like to see you. Volume two will be published tomorrow. Love, Fannie[enc w/ 13 May 1921] Dear Mother: Please explain. Yesterday I received a two pound box of Reymer's candy from the honorable Alfred Goorin. Today I receive a not from him to the effect that the Pi Tau Pi fraternity (a social organization to which most of the boys at home belong) is having a party the night of the eighteenth, a boatride down the allegheny, and that he would like me to go. What about it? Helen mentioned yesterday that she is going with Richard Fishel. Could I tell him that I don't know yet, because I am staying for Commencemtn[sic] and may stay ovr in New York a few days, but that I will probably be able to go. I don't know anything about the propriety of such parties--I suppose they have chaperones, etc., but there is no telling. R. S. V. P.403 DAVISON HOUSE VASSAR COLLEGE POUGHKEEPSIE, N. Y. May 13, 1921 Peabody Memorial Oommittee, PMother
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: Oct. 21
Text: October 21. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I'll have my typewriter back tomorrow, thank goodness. Jane and I went to town this afternoon. I had a lot of things to attend to. One of my errands was a new fountain-pen. This morning when I took out my debate-notes box which I hadn't opened since last April. So I took it along to have a clip put on, and lost it in the car. Isn't that enough to arouse anyone's wrath? We had the easiest biology written I ever hope to see. It was...
Show moreOctober 21. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I'll have my typewriter back tomorrow, thank goodness. Jane and I went to town this afternoon. I had a lot of things to attend to. One of my errands was a new fountain-pen. This morning when I took out my debate-notes box which I hadn't opened since last April. So I took it along to have a clip put on, and lost it in the car. Isn't that enough to arouse anyone's wrath? We had the easiest biology written I ever hope to see. It was almost a joke. I am glad I only studied one hour for it. I have to write a paper for J, due Tuesday, but I play golf tournament on Monday, so I shall have to do it tomorrow. I am up for debate tryouts for tomorrow morning. I read this evening for it. It is not what I should call a thrilling subject. Miss Smith came up to call on me last night. I felt highly honored. I got some of my Colorado Springs arch supports in a drug-store down-town, Mother. They are great, and I certainly was glad to be able to find them. Would you like me to send you some, Mother? You said something about wanting to try them, once. I also bought up all the fruit in town, sent Helen's Shappie some books for her at her request, (he is recovering from appendicitis), bought some dandy woolen stockings, got some stuff at the drug-store, and went with Jane while she got some furniture--all in one hour. As I have remarked before, I have a busy week-end ahead of me. Love, Fannie It was fine to see a note from you in your own hand-writing, Father. Take care of yourself and don't get frisky.
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-11-16
Text: November 16, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I shall plan to meet you in Atlantic. I hope the trip does both of you as much good as I hope the few days will do me. I called up the station today. The last through train is at 3:05, I guess I won't make a through train. The 3:50 is a special. They said the last train to North Philadelphis where I could make connections was the 5:10, so I guess the best thing to do is to stay in New York with Jeannette over night and take the first...
Show moreNovember 16, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I shall plan to meet you in Atlantic. I hope the trip does both of you as much good as I hope the few days will do me. I called up the station today. The last through train is at 3:05, I guess I won't make a through train. The 3:50 is a special. They said the last train to North Philadelphis where I could make connections was the 5:10, so I guess the best thing to do is to stay in New York with Jeannette over night and take the first train in the morning. How-ever, I shall write to Uncle Ike. Probably he can get more dope than I can here. Practically finished catching up in Lab today, so now all the back work I have to do is a J paper. I sahll do that over the week-end and be all caught up before Thanksgiving. I worked pretty hard today and took a walk with Helen. That's about all I know. Love, Fannie
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-11-18
Text: November 18, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: There is not much news today. I had a written in Zo which I don't think I came very far from flunking. I have a good week-end of work ahead of me. Apollo of the chem department announced his engagement to Miss Johnson, of the Chem department--Radcliffe '20. Romances of the chem lab! I saw Carolyn Brayton's mother yesterday. She surely is wonderful looking. Junior Party dress reharsal is tonight. It is going to be a very good...
Show moreNovember 18, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: There is not much news today. I had a written in Zo which I don't think I came very far from flunking. I have a good week-end of work ahead of me. Apollo of the chem department announced his engagement to Miss Johnson, of the Chem department--Radcliffe '20. Romances of the chem lab! I saw Carolyn Brayton's mother yesterday. She surely is wonderful looking. Junior Party dress reharsal is tonight. It is going to be a very good party, i think. The party is tomorrow night. Eleanor Wolfe asked me to go off for dinner with her tonight. She is very formal about "paying me back". I wish I had some news for you, but I feel unusually dull. It is hot enough to be a June day. I am going to take a walk now and then work till dinner-time. Love, Fannie I may land at Wellesley yet for vacation. This train mixup makes me ad. i could take the mid-night from New York and go to theater with some of the Boston delegation, and take a noon train, or thereabouts, on Sunday. I wish the Boston trains went to Atlantic City.
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1922-01-22
Text: January 22, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I did not go for my mail yesterday until almost dinner time, and as specials are no longer delivered as specials, but in the regular mail, I did not get your letter in time to get an answer off that would leave here before tonight. That is why I wired, to avoid further delay. My laundry also came in the regular mail. So in the future, if you have anyhing to say that is urgent, you will have to telegraph, but please be careful how you word...
Show moreJanuary 22, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I did not go for my mail yesterday until almost dinner time, and as specials are no longer delivered as specials, but in the regular mail, I did not get your letter in time to get an answer off that would leave here before tonight. That is why I wired, to avoid further delay. My laundry also came in the regular mail. So in the future, if you have anyhing to say that is urgent, you will have to telegraph, but please be careful how you word anything that you might not want to be known in the messenger room. That is general advice--I don't mean it for anything in particular. Your answer was here when I get back from chapel this morning. I went to see Phyllis last night--after many urgent requests. We had a rather interesting evening. Her roommate is one of the finest girls I have ever met. She is thoroughly good, through and through. How she can room with Phyllis is more than I can see. Phyllis asked me if S. Makrauer had been up here to see me and told me that when she was down at Peabody during vacation Miss Breene told her that he had been out the day before, and told her that he had just been up to Vassar for the weekend. That was a little too much for me, and I let out to her for several minutes. I think she realized now a little more than she may have before that not all Jews are in the same class, and that I am just as scrupulous about honesty, etc., as she. She said, incidentally, that Miss Breene told her that he had developed into "a fine fellow, very different from the one who left Peabody"! I enjoyed chapel very much this morning. The Rev. Rufus Jones of Haverford spoke, and her sermon was excellent. I really must go oftener next semester. They aren't all so bad. The thing that gets me is their endless prayers, and he didn't indulge so much in that. I sat in the first row, and I think that always makes paying attention a lot easier. I read my psych topic through last night and corrected the typing, etc. It is a twenty-nine single space page masterpiece. They'll either flunk me on it or give me an A, either without reading it--I am sure. I have read all the required Byron except two cantos, and I plan to do that this afternoon. (Childe Harold). We went coasting for an hour before dinner last night, down Sunset. It was great. We could go all the way down the winding path from the top of the hill to the bridge wihtou[sic] stopping. I spent two hours yesterday morning in Zo lab. I think I'll be able to finish on Tuesday. Had dinner in Josselyn last night with T. Workum. It was not particularly exciting. Love, Fannie
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-10-10
Text: October 10, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: After my voluminous letter of yesterday there is nothing much to tell you. I got a lot done on my history topic yesterday afternoon and last night I spent most of the time hunting for some respect-able notes on the Psych lecture I missed last Monday. It is a nuisance to miss a lecture, particularly in view of the fact that we have a quiz today. I just realized last night, Pete, that I wouldn't want to go away from college the week-end of...
Show moreOctober 10, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: After my voluminous letter of yesterday there is nothing much to tell you. I got a lot done on my history topic yesterday afternoon and last night I spent most of the time hunting for some respect-able notes on the Psych lecture I missed last Monday. It is a nuisance to miss a lecture, particularly in view of the fact that we have a quiz today. I just realized last night, Pete, that I wouldn't want to go away from college the week-end of the fifteenth, as Junior Party comes then. Don't send the jade dress, Mother. I don't need it here. I went to bed early last night because I went rather short of sleep over the week-end, but the hall was noisy until after eleven. I shall send my laundry tomorrow. Love, Fannie
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1922-04-23
Text: April 23, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Nothing much to report in the way of news except that I spent three hours after lunch and two after dinner on a psych topic, and plan to spend the rest of today on it, except for two hours this afternoon when I got with Maxine Goldmark, as promised about five months ago, to call on miss Salmon. We certainly are having marvelous weather. The dearth of subject matter is evident from the fact that I mention the weather. But it really does annoy me...
Show moreApril 23, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Nothing much to report in the way of news except that I spent three hours after lunch and two after dinner on a psych topic, and plan to spend the rest of today on it, except for two hours this afternoon when I got with Maxine Goldmark, as promised about five months ago, to call on miss Salmon. We certainly are having marvelous weather. The dearth of subject matter is evident from the fact that I mention the weather. But it really does annoy me to have to work in this weather. I slept late this morning, much to my satisfaction. Had a thank-you letter from Henrietta yesterday. K. Stein informed me yesterday that she will probably ask Bill Wasserman up to Third Hall. She was working next to me in the libe, and when she went for her mail, she brought mine back along I had just finished reading your letter, Pete, when she asked me if I knew him. If that isn't funny, I'd like to know what is. Wishing you the same, I remain, Yours truly, F. H. Aaron
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-10-03
Text: Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Mother has^- no doubt told you about Philadelphia and will tell you about Woodmere, so, inaenuch as I .have a class In five minutes, I will make this short, sweet, and to the point. By- the way|^ Mother, you mi :ht send me the letter of Pete's which I missedThere is no such one here. I should be Yery.^lacl to go to the ::,ame with Harold under a^^reeable conditions. I don't know what you mean by "due arrangements", but I do know that I would...
Show moreDear Mother, Father, and Pete: Mother has^- no doubt told you about Philadelphia and will tell you about Woodmere, so, inaenuch as I .have a class In five minutes, I will make this short, sweet, and to the point. By- the way|^ Mother, you mi :ht send me the letter of Pete's which I missedThere is no such one here. I should be Yery.^lacl to go to the ::,ame with Harold under a^^reeable conditions. I don't know what you mean by "due arrangements", but I do know that I would not be particularly keen about going over from New York alone, unless such is commonepractice. You knov/ about that better than I do. I ce!.n go out to Aunt Bessie's Saturday night, so Harold would not need to v^orry about cIrnsing me into New York. I am per« fectly capable of going back alone. Another thing, did you induce the invitation? I should not like to so unless the invitation was really meant. Last night after I came baOöc I was up In Helen's room for a few minutes. She asked me what T did while I v/as avmy. I told her I went to Temple Sunday night and Mohcay morning, etcand after I left Dorothy Krolik, about whom I told you yesterday, said to her, "'I didn't know she v/as Jewish!'! I induced the Italian fruit-vender to carry my suitcase to_the car last night. I preferred that to a taxi, inasmuch as I looked the taxis over before deciding./ Love, Pannie October third, I think, but I have not set my calendar yet
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 10/21/19
Text: October 21, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I had no letter from you today, Pete. What is up? I got your postcard written from the station, Father. I also got your Sunday's letter, Mother. I had to waste an hour this afternoon again resting. It is very encouraging, when I was in bed a little after nine. The shift in the English sections took place today. Miss Buck kept the best. The list was posted yesterday afternoon of the new sections, and I could tell from those of my class...
Show moreOctober 21, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I had no letter from you today, Pete. What is up? I got your postcard written from the station, Father. I also got your Sunday's letter, Mother. I had to waste an hour this afternoon again resting. It is very encouraging, when I was in bed a little after nine. The shift in the English sections took place today. Miss Buck kept the best. The list was posted yesterday afternoon of the new sections, and I could tell from those of my class whom she still had that she had the best group. She told them so today. Judging by the appearance of those of my division, I got into the thirteenth of the thirteen sections. I have Miss Kitchel. Do you know anything of her? She seems quite human. I am sure I shall like her better than Miss Buck, but it hurts my foolish standards of work not to have been kept in her section. If mine were the second of third division it would not be so bad. We got our papers back from the written test in history that we had the other day. There was no mark on my paper, but a few corrections. Miss Thallon simply told us that there were none startlingly brilliant, neither were there any ver[sic] poor. I discovered yesterday that a girl in my history class is a granddaughter of President Taylor. She haild from Idaho, and looks like a butcher's daughter. Also, ever since college started I have been staring at a girl that I was sure I saw in Del Monte. She was in swimming almost every day when I Was. She was at Mohonk the other day, and I aksed her what her name was. It is the girl who was in Del Monte, so I take back what I said, Pete, that Vassar does not go travelling around the country. I went rowing yesterday afternoon with the girl that lives across the hall. The lake is so shallow that you can touch the bottom in the middle with the oars. The boats are very wide and flat-bottomed. It is like the pool--you get dizzy turning the corners. We rowed fro[sic] an hour, and it seemed just like a merry-go-round. I'll try it again next spring. Doctor Baldwin thinks my ankle is better. She said I don't have to go back again. It was pretty wabbly for a while, so I am glad I had it strapped. I am going to ride horseback with Lucy for an hour tomorrow afternoon. I want to go before the leaves are gone. She signed up for me as wanting a lesson. That means a man goes along and I get aperfectly safe horse. It costs two tickets to get someone to go along, but I shall fell much safer on an Eastern saddle that way. We had to turn our schedules in at the gym yesterday so that they can arrange the gym work for after Thanksgiving. They require one hour of class work, one hour of some elective gym work, and one hour of outdoor or gym work. i signed up for apparatus or games, (indoor baseball, etc.) Are you coming Saturday, Father? I really would like to know. You know you said something once about coming the twenty-sixth and seventh. Mother, you asked about what we are reading in English. It is all theme work, and I am sick of it already. It must be a family failing not to like things of that sort. Otherwise there is nothing new. I go to Miss Wiley's lecture soon. That is the way the afternoons fly without getting much work done. If Brym Mawr is worse than this, good-night. Talking about Brym Mawr, Pete, did you know that Grace Lubin came out first in her class Freshman year. [Fannie]
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1922-05-04]
Text: [postmarked 4 May 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I said "Amen" over my first psych topic last night. It is twenty-one pages long--I guess they will mark it without reading it, all right. Just when I need it most, my Corona has gone off, and I am using a borrowed one, with a different key-board. If I have time, I'll take it to town tomorrow. Heard Dr. T's first Junior Hygiene lecture last night. Hope the others prove more profitable. I shall have to stew over...
Show more[postmarked 4 May 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I said "Amen" over my first psych topic last night. It is twenty-one pages long--I guess they will mark it without reading it, all right. Just when I need it most, my Corona has gone off, and I am using a borrowed one, with a different key-board. If I have time, I'll take it to town tomorrow. Heard Dr. T's first Junior Hygiene lecture last night. Hope the others prove more profitable. I shall have to stew over elections over the week-end. They are due on the eleventh. I may not take any more English and double in history instead. I am sick of taking English because I think "I should" I hated Romance last year and I certainly haven't enjoyed J. much this year. And I have come to--the conclusion that it is not training my mind any, because I do very little thinking in class and spend most of the time being bored. We shall see. I should like to take Miss Thompson's "Civil War and Reconstruction" and Miss Brown's "History of Tolerance". But I'll have to work it out and see what is what. If I take English, I'll take the development course in drama..and probably be bored. Excuse the punctuation-- as you notice the period is in the wrong place. Had a letter from Dr. F. today confirming yourtelegram. It certainly seems much more sensible to me to put going to N.Y. off till June. I will be able to finish my work without killing myself this way. Bill W. is not coming, Pete. He wrote to her that he had another engagement. I sis not take up your suggestion, because I have no week-end to play away. The Miscellany had this heading:.."Judges give decision to Vassar". I thought that was very good and very telling. That certainly was exactly the way the matter stood. A friend of mine had a letter from the secretary to the president of Brown. He told her they dent their best-looking representatives and not their best debaters! I am glad we were spared from their best, if there were not the best! Miss Thompson initiated us into Delta Sigma Rho the other night on the steps of Rocky, to the infinite amusement of us and all curious passers-by. I'll tell you all about it sometime, even though it may be a secret!! We elected Betty Cannon president of the chapter for the year, and expect to put it in the Misc as a joke!! Otherwise I know nothing, except that I have to study for a big written in Zo tomorrow. Love, Fannie
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-10-16
Text: October 16, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It is Sunday night, and this is my Monday's letter. There is nothing much to tell you, except that I didn't get anything done this morning, as I was too dopy from my cold, but I felt better this afternoon and worked the whole time. I am reading "Le Contrat Social" in French for French Rev and it is pretty deep to say the least. I had to waste a lot of time getting books in the libe, too. I took Eleanor Wolfe to the Lodge for...
Show moreOctober 16, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It is Sunday night, and this is my Monday's letter. There is nothing much to tell you, except that I didn't get anything done this morning, as I was too dopy from my cold, but I felt better this afternoon and worked the whole time. I am reading "Le Contrat Social" in French for French Rev and it is pretty deep to say the least. I had to waste a lot of time getting books in the libe, too. I took Eleanor Wolfe to the Lodge for supper. She is more or less of a minus quantity, I think--although she may improve on acquaintance. She asked to be remembered to you, Mother. She strikes me as having nothing in particular to like about her and nothing in particular to dislike, either. I found the encolsed post-card in my coat pocket, Pete. All of which reminds me that your birthday present to me came and was very much appreciated. They are very beautiful pictures particularly the one which is not the Tiger. I am not sure enough of what it is to mention it any other way. They are really very beautiful. Love, Fannie
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: [1923-05-31]
Text: [31 May 1923] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I certainly was extremely sorry to hear about Cousin Morris. If you sent me her address, I'll write her a note. I just came from a moderately boring Reformation exam, for which I studied too much, as usual. There were three questions:-- 1. Compare the English, French, and German Renaissance and explain their differences. 2. "The Reformation was a continuation of the Renaissance". "The Ref. was a check to and practically stopped...
Show more[31 May 1923] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I certainly was extremely sorry to hear about Cousin Morris. If you sent me her address, I'll write her a note. I just came from a moderately boring Reformation exam, for which I studied too much, as usual. There were three questions:-- 1. Compare the English, French, and German Renaissance and explain their differences. 2. "The Reformation was a continuation of the Renaissance". "The Ref. was a check to and practically stopped the Ren." How far do these conclusions seem true? Support your opinion. 3. A statue is to be erected to the Prot. Ref. Where would you locate it, and why: what would you put in it, and what inscritpion would you have? I told her I thought 3 was very hard on the unartistic. I don't imagine she'll take it very seriously. I'm going to write my Tolerance topic the rest of today. We gave up Rocky steps last night. It was not as impressive as it might have been, for at the supposedly saddest moment three Seniors strolled up from the foreground with little Hyatt Mayor of the Art dep't--obviously to makea fool of him, so the result was that we sang of our sadness with grinning faces and tittering instead of singing! I got a not from Louise, too. Her English is certainly peculiar, although her intentions are good. Love, Fannie Good luck to you, Pete.
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: [1922-04-30]
Text: [30 Apr 1922] Sunday Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: First of all, Mother, the glasses came in the afternoon mail yesterday and fit very well. I shall have to have them adjusted a little. I think the frame is a little short across the face, but it will do till I get home. My others still haven't turned up. As usual, I was quite excited yesterday, and sleepy--for a change- and got no work done all day. I counted on working all day today, but the debaters enjoyed Vassar and staid till the...
Show more[30 Apr 1922] Sunday Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: First of all, Mother, the glasses came in the afternoon mail yesterday and fit very well. I shall have to have them adjusted a little. I think the frame is a little short across the face, but it will do till I get home. My others still haven't turned up. As usual, I was quite excited yesterday, and sleepy--for a change- and got no work done all day. I counted on working all day today, but the debaters enjoyed Vassar and staid till the 4:13, so that is where my day went. But to begin as the beginning. The audience was quite small. No wonder--a gorgeous day, a busy week-end, Saturday, and an old subject. But it was a most responsive audience. They were laughing all the time, it seems to me. The Brown debates were absoluterly marvelous speakers. I never hope to be up against a stiffer set of opponents. They were finished speakers. Their last one, Gertsonlauer, is to be their class-day orator and Commencement Speaker. He certainly oought to be, on the basis of ability. They combined splendid oratory with facts. They pulled off only one oratorical figure that I really objected to. Their first speaker compared the F. with a child that cries for a postol, and of course the child shouldn't get the pistol. So when I got up, I merely turned the figure, and said that they should judge after the facts I gave them, whether it was the child, etc., or the full-grown man demanding his natural right of freedom. And all the audience ha-hahed, which fussed me considerably. And in rebuttal, thinking I was still at Barnard with a speaker still to follow, I asked them to answer three questions, yes or no, and completely forgot I had the last word. But of course that was not disastrous, merely amusing. The judges were Dr. Adams of Yale English dep't, debate coach and teacher of argumentation, Mrs. Whitney, a N. Y. lawyer nd[sic] member of Industrial Commission, supposed to be quite good, and Dr. Denby, President of Packer Institute. The latter voted for Brown. He marked on the stupid basis of points, and they had 26 to our 25. I left out one point accidentally. I wonder what he would have done had I made it! He said, however, that he considered Vassar had by at least 30% the harder side of the question. All agreed to that. Belive me, I did, too. And he congratulated Miss Waller and Mr. Getsonlauder, particularly, for the brilliant work they both did for their sides. You see I wasn't the shining long light I was at Barnard! But Dr. Adams congratulated me personally on "the brilliant rebuttal" I gave. After all, that is where the real shining is. I felt beforehand that my speech had no possibilities in it. In either side, the economic speech is the one that counts. But if I had taken that from Evan she would have had to work out a completey[sic] new speech, and the only purpose of puttng me in was because Cowles was weak and Peggy wanted me to do the best with that end of the subject that I could, since it was a boring part of a necessary division of the debate. The subject-matter was that there were capable of self-gov't, by ability and by what they are dong[sic], and that they maintain law and order in the islanders. And of course everything that I said was against my better judgment. My concluding sentences were respectively 51 and 55 seconds long, perfect grammar--so judged and timed by the time-keepers! I spent three of my four minutes of rebuttal rebutting their marvelouslystrong Japanese speech. It was in substance what I said at Barnard, and stronger and clearer and longer. They certainly made Japan out to be a real menace. Luckily, the night before I did the only new reading I did in this debate, some chapters in Russell's "Philippine Independence". One chapter is devoted entirely to an affirmative view of the Japanese situation. So I lit in to that, and they immediately after the debate all congratulated me on the way I did it. They suggested that we have rebuttals immediately after speeches without any intermissons. Of course we wanted to be dead-game sports, and did it. I think Betty Cannon suffered a little by it, but Evan and I didn't in the least. I think it is a very good idea. None of us used any notes, except in rebuttal, and I didn't use them in that either. I was not nearly as good as at Barnard. I know that, and several of the kids who were down there told me that, too. They said I shone down there, but I was just "very good" here. But they also said it was because of the limitations of my subject, because I was convinced on the other side, and because, my two colleagues were both very good and the difference did not set me off as it did down there. I was not satisfied with myself, neither with the decision of the judges. I felt strongly that they sould have won--in fact, I congratulated them in advance. Prexie thought they should have won, and so id Miss Thompson. I don't know what Miss Ellery thought. I shall ask her tomorrow. Prexie changed his mind after while though, and said perhaps we really did. he was not at all restrained about expressing his opinions! Dr. Adams said we won, on grasp of all points and use of them, debating form, manner, grace, dignity, and good English. He said they murdered the English language, and lowered themselves in doubting the sincerity of such men asa Wilson, etc. They did go too far in that--just because we knocked Wood. He said it wasn't prejudice on his part, either, because he had always voted against Wilson. Mrs. Whitney said we won on knowledge of the subject and use of it--they say big issued better than we did, but left out too many of the small things. The debate was taken down by a stenographer right up in front of the stage. It will be printed in the Debaters' Handbook as one of the six best intercollegiate debates of the year! Prexie presided. Again I was introduced at Miss Frances Aaron. We had a dinner party at the Lodge, at which he and Miss Thompson were guests, Dr. Adams, the debaters, and several committee. At the dinner Peggy handed over the Gavel to Camp for next year. I am delighted she got Chairmanship. The dinner-party was great. I was placed between Wilson adn[sic] Camp, with Miss Thompson and Prexie, one removed on either side. I have loads to tell you about Prexie when I have time. I was impresed by his marvelous facility to mix. I don't think the college in general appreciates that. After dinner we took them to the exhibtion[sic], which was splendid. This Ruth Page stuided under Pavlowa. They had taken their defeat quite hard, and Gertsonlauer was surely and snup up like a clam all evening. However he slept it off and was most interesting today. After the dance we went up to J and danced till 10. This morning we met them for breakfast at 9, then took a walk and took them to chapel. After that we took them to dinner in Main, and then they left. And here I am.I slept from 2 to 7 today. I shall work now from 5 to 10, and then believe me, I hope to sleep. The pictures will be in the papers next Sunday; I am told. Helen Reid is going to teach at the Dwight School next year, English and English history. She will get #50 a week, expenses paid, whatever she means by that. She has to teach only [?m] only [i?om] nine to one. Pretty soft, I should say. Tell Aunt Hattie. Her old principal is still there. I really must work, now that all the excitement is over. Oh yes, there is a little more. Maxine Goldmark, who was up at Amherst, said Brown was at least three times better than they were. Everybody raved about how marvelous they were. They have their Willaims, Brown, Dartmouth debates this Friday. It is on Cancellation of the European War Debt. I should hate to tackle that. Love, Fannie[Too] fond of esteem of world to do anything rash. 6. Goto - fact that 65 % of Japan's [sick] goes to us - is reason enuf that we hold Japan Ec. by throat - [Havocin] trade we could give them terrible. Chinese boycott of. Jap. goods a bitter enuf [ex perisuss] + with them, all depends [n] friendly trade relations M.B. Quote Marquis [Akinna] - h346343 - Russell Japan - 1920 Premier Hara pledged himself to jb. agreement between U.S. + Jab. to protect + [presirae] Phil. autonomy 2. Korea, China, etc. would rebel 3. [we] would protest 4. Raw materials needed ar in other countries, not in Pl. 5. In 1921 - 5 [luisicent] Jap. statesmen assured that japan had over no designs on Phil. Brown-Vassar Debate Assembly Hall April 29, 1922Resolved: That the United States grant immediate independence to the Philippines. Grant means to convey the title of and sovereignty in. Immediate means as soon after the present as the mechanical procedure of enacting the necessary measures permits. Independence means absolute sovereignty. President Henry Noble MacCracken Moderator Judges Mrs. Travis Whitney, Member of New York State Industrial Commission Professor John Adams, Yale University Dr. John H. Denbergh, Packer Collegiate InstituteDebaters Vassar-Affirmative Brown-Negative Elizabeth Cannon, '23 Marcus Milton Bates, '22 Frances Aaron, '23 John Andrew Wilson, '23 Evangelia Waller, '24 Robert E. Gerstenlauer, '22 Committee Rachel Higgins, '22, Chairman Miriam Hussey, '22 Frances Thorndike, '22 Helen Campbell, '23 Maxine Goldmark, '24 Mary A. Crews, '24 Charlotte Carpenter, '22, Secretary[enc w/ 30 Apr 1922]
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 10/6/19
Text: October 6, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am sorry that we did not get time to write yesterday, but Miss Smith was not around and we had to get a faculty member who happened to be around to show Pete my room, and he could not stay, consequently we could not write. But I had better start at the beginning. I wend down to meet the 11:23 and I went early because the religious multitude crowded the car terribly to go to church. The Old Man was not on the train, so I waited for the 12:16,...
Show moreOctober 6, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am sorry that we did not get time to write yesterday, but Miss Smith was not around and we had to get a faculty member who happened to be around to show Pete my room, and he could not stay, consequently we could not write. But I had better start at the beginning. I wend down to meet the 11:23 and I went early because the religious multitude crowded the car terribly to go to church. The Old Man was not on the train, so I waited for the 12:16, which was one half hour late. Then we took the car to the Inn, where we had dinner for a dollar and a half each, which the Old Man paid for. Then we came down here. He did not have to present his pass. He saw my room, left his coat up here, and we roamed about the campus, taking in everything except the chapel, which was lcoked. We also went up Sunset, my first expedition as well as his. He also saw the marble staircase which he seems to remember from Aunt Hattie's time. Then, since it was very hot and we were very tired, we staid in the parlor here a while. Helen Jackson happened to come in then, so she staid a while. Then we went over to see Lucy for about a half minute. I guess it was really more than that. Then we went to the station, and Pete left, and there ends the story. Miss Smith told me this morning what a fine brother I had. It is too bad I am using carbon paper. I did not send any laundry. I will send it Wednesday. I have not gotten any artificial flowers yet, nor have I gotten the hangers. I got the following note in the POst Office when I went for my mail Saturday noon:-- I am writing the Dean's office that you may be admitted to one of the Sophomore literature courses in French--You would better consult a catalogue, make your choice and report it at the Dean's office at once--I should advise you to go to see the person teaching the course you choose as soon as you can to explain the circumstances of your entering the class--telling her that it is on the basis of reading you have already done and a two hour examination (which does not give you credit for 7-8). I hope you will come to see me sometime. Very sincerely yours, Florence Donnell White. So that is the whole dope on the situation. The Dean's office was already closed when I got the note so I could not go over about it till today. There are three courses, development of Poetry, Drama, and Novel. The poetry course I absolutely did not want. There is a French woman teaching the novel course, who is supposed to be good but not stiff. She is new. Then the one teaching the drama course is also French, and supposed to be stiff. I really did not know what to decide between the two. I knew that I reallywanted the novel one more, but I had a feeling that I ought to develop what Marse would call a highbrow taste. The drama course comes after lunch, when I am tired and stupid. I always am--it is not just these first few weeks. The novel course comes the same hour I had French in the morning before. The drama course would have given me four hours two days a week, including an afternoon class on Friday. That did not bother me though as much as the dfact that it was after lunch. So I concluded the course where I would do the best work and enjo[sic] class most was the one to take. Consequently I signed up for the novel course, and I go tomorrow for the first class. Maybe the drama teacher is best because she is stiff, but you told me, Father, not to wobble, and to stick to my decision, so I guess I had better. I went to Miss White a minute before she started teaching this morning, but I got little information from here, that is, I did not know the authors she was talking about. So there is a good deal to learn in both. I hope you are satisfied. Please let me know. Mother, the cake is good, but what on earth you you expect me to do with a whole cake. Even the neighbors cannot help me get away with so much. They thought it was good, though. I have to go at nine thirty tonight to the fire captain's room to get the information about fire-drills. I had to go to the Inn last night with Lucy for supper. She was having two Cincinnati girls with whom she went to camp, Edith Krohn and Eleanor Wildberg. The latter is a pretty nice kid. Lucy called it a party, so I was not allowed to pay my own way. We have a bargain, though, that whenever we go off campus together, it is to be "Dutch." I don't know anything else, except that I am now going for a walk with Phyllis. It is too wet for hockey or Tennis. Love, [Fannie]
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-03-14
Text: March 14, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I got quite a lot of work done yesterday, but I did not get that fool chem paper written. I must do it today. The Spenser paper took me four hours and a half, but I was quite well satisfied with the product. I wrote on a comparison of "Colin Clout Comes Home Again" with the idyls of Theocritus. I bet nobody else did that. It was quite a good idea, because any other subject would have entailed the use of "The Faierie Queene"...
Show moreMarch 14, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I got quite a lot of work done yesterday, but I did not get that fool chem paper written. I must do it today. The Spenser paper took me four hours and a half, but I was quite well satisfied with the product. I wrote on a comparison of "Colin Clout Comes Home Again" with the idyls of Theocritus. I bet nobody else did that. It was quite a good idea, because any other subject would have entailed the use of "The Faierie Queene" and I had not read enough of that intelligently enough to hurt me. I am expecting a written in Ec this morning. If we don't have it this week, we will have it next week. I have to see Mrs. Tillinghast, the warden in charge of rooms, about my change. Miss Smith told me that when a sophomore draws, she may relinquish her right to come back into the same building if it has more than its quota of her class. It is very complicated--at any rate, Tilly is the one who knows all about it. If I can't come back into Davison, I'll stay in this room. Worse things could happen, only it is nicer to be a little nearer the world than the fourth floor allows and also it is nicer to be on a floor where there are more of your own class. Otherwise there isn't much in the way of news. Did I tell you that I had a letter from Marjorie Klein asking me to stay with her? I wrote to her yesterday. I must do some debate reading this week. I have done shamefully little, but I feel today as though I have regained my pep with I lost so suddenly, so perhaps I will be good for something this week. I hope you are feeling better by this time, Mother. I don't know yet what train I'll take home, but I rather think the eight-thirty. Of course, if the Hellers should feel like coming into New York and taking to see "Deburau" about which everybody around is raving, I should not object. I wrote to Aunt Bessie and asked her if I could take the eight-thirty and still eat with them in Woodmere and I suppose she will answer soon. Otherwise there is nothing new except that spring is here. Are you near the crazy people, Mother? Love, Fannie
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1923-05-22]
Text: [postmarked 22 May 1923] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I enjoyed the way in which Confirmation Day was observed today much more than usual. Miss Ellery called on Maxine Goldmark to read her semester topic on "The Jews in Elizabethan Drama". It was most interesting. For a girl of Jewish birth--otherwise she considers herslef a free-thinker--she certainly has a disinterested viewpoint. A couple of times I could have suggested to her with great pleasure that she take the trouble to...
Show more[postmarked 22 May 1923] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I enjoyed the way in which Confirmation Day was observed today much more than usual. Miss Ellery called on Maxine Goldmark to read her semester topic on "The Jews in Elizabethan Drama". It was most interesting. For a girl of Jewish birth--otherwise she considers herslef a free-thinker--she certainly has a disinterested viewpoint. A couple of times I could have suggested to her with great pleasure that she take the trouble to disprove a few of the allegations that she stated as facts. Miss Ellery devoted the rest of the hour to a discussion of the other topics on the Jews, and she called on me for some comments on what the girl before me had said. I was fussed to dealth. I was also highly amused when she with her "outside viewpoint", talked about the intense dislike of Jews of various nationalities toward each other. She has made a study of the general subject this winter. I guess she feels that as an educated and enlightened professor, the great increase in the number of Jewish students needs a proper historic background! I wired Phillip this morning. Vassarions are out My picture looks likean Ethiopian Jew. But all the others are terrible too. Your class is represented in the Granddaughters' Club by daughters of several of your classmates:--Grace Robbins, Natalie Smith, Belle McCullough, Edna Percy. Any friends of yours? My topic progressed nicely yesterday. Love, Fannie
Show less

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1923-02-25
Text: Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Talking to you last night was unusually satisfactory I heard you very distinctly, and got you within five minutes of the time the messenger told me you were calling. I had intended to sleep late this morning and get as long a night as I have been getting in the Infirm but my plans miscarried, as I woke up wide awake at six o'clock. The tonic the doctor gave me is a brownish red liquid which has a very familiar taste. I think I have had it in my childhood....
Show moreDear Mother, Father, and Pete: Talking to you last night was unusually satisfactory I heard you very distinctly, and got you within five minutes of the time the messenger told me you were calling. I had intended to sleep late this morning and get as long a night as I have been getting in the Infirm but my plans miscarried, as I woke up wide awake at six o'clock. The tonic the doctor gave me is a brownish red liquid which has a very familiar taste. I think I have had it in my childhood. One of the faculty who had also getting it said she thought it was Gray's (?) Glycerin. Does that mean anything to you? I felt very peppy yesterday and thought I would be able to get some work done, but at four o'clock the pep all suddenly disapeared and I rested till six, and went to bed after I spoke to you and read a play in bed. So I certainly am taking care of myself--necessity is forcing it, I guess. I am going to work for three hours till lunch time now. The maid greeted me when I came hope yes-terday morning with the announcement that I looked fat, and when I didn't take to it very graciously, she suggested that caughing had rounded my cheeks! Mary Baxter, a classmate of mine, the girl Uncle Ike treated to dinner with me Thanksgiving sophomore year on my way home, is leaving today for good. She got enough credits to graduate in three and a half years, and is coming back married for commencement. Why didn't you try something like that, Mother? Although since the lady from 1909 is back, I wouldn't be surprised to see you any time! Love, Fannie Feb. 25, 1923
Show less

Libraries

Today's hours:

Vassar College Digital Library

Pages

Pages