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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-01-14 [1921]
Text: January 14, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I believe that this is the date I have dated my letters for the past three days. Don't send me a calendar, Pete, because I have three already. I don't like to acknowledge the time I woke up this morning to study for our chem oral quiz. However, it was five-thirty, and then it was so bitter cold that I waited a half hour lettering the room warm up before starting to study. The maddening part of it was that we didn't cover...
Show moreJanuary 14, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I believe that this is the date I have dated my letters for the past three days. Don't send me a calendar, Pete, because I have three already. I don't like to acknowledge the time I woke up this morning to study for our chem oral quiz. However, it was five-thirty, and then it was so bitter cold that I waited a half hour lettering the room warm up before starting to study. The maddening part of it was that we didn't cover nearly as much as we were supposed to, and therefore I could have slept till seven. That is very hard on anyone who likes sleep as much as I do. I was so dead yesterday after three hours of lab that I finished my history topic after dinner and went to bed at nine. Miss Salmon gave a long dissertation this morning on marks. She says she hates them, hates them to the nth degree, and that the only reason she gave them and will keep on giving them is that she must conform to the rules of the college. She hates honors, too. She said she could not say that she thought that a girl who inherits a good brain and who doesn't study much deserves honors more than a girl of average mentality ho does good, hard work. The other night she had the officers of all the classes, of all the organizations of importance, and the ediotrs of the Miscellany News out to her house to discuss the question. She wants them to start a campaign of discussion in the News, in the hope of waking people up and eventually abolishing marks. She says that that is one of the chief causes for what she is constantly talking about--the falling off of intellectual interest in the student bodies of the colleges. Miss brown of the history department, who lives with Miss Salmon, told the girls afterwards that no reform of any importance had ever been brought about at Vassar which had not been instigates by Miss Salmon. Incidentally, she said in connection with the subject, that she never yet had been satisfied with a mark that she gave and didn't imagine any student had ever been satisfied with the mark she received, but she had one thing to ask of us--that we shouldn't ask her why we get the mark we do, because she would not be able to explain it. All of which is very interesting, provided she gives us decent marks! I admit I am not sufficiently developed mentally to be able to forgetthe existence of makrs. I would be a lot happier if I could, but they certainly are in the foreground most of the time to most of the people. We are reviewing in class in Ec. I certainly like the stuff. There has been skating for two days now. I had planned to try my luck this afternoon, for the first time in two years. but it snowed all night and is rainy and sleety now, and there is no skating today. The Ice Carnival was scheduled to take place tomorrow night. I hope it won't be interfered with. I shall compromise and go walking this afternoon. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-01-16 [1921]
Text: January 16, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It is a wonderful warm day today, so I decided to cut chapel and get a good walk in this afternoon instead. I did not wake up till nine o'clocl and then after I had finished with my semi-breakfast a girl in my chem class came up and alked till about eleven. She had a notion that the lab was open today, and she wanted me to go over and work today. She came up to tell me that it was closed--a fact that did not surprise me greatly....
Show moreJanuary 16, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It is a wonderful warm day today, so I decided to cut chapel and get a good walk in this afternoon instead. I did not wake up till nine o'clocl and then after I had finished with my semi-breakfast a girl in my chem class came up and alked till about eleven. She had a notion that the lab was open today, and she wanted me to go over and work today. She came up to tell me that it was closed--a fact that did not surprise me greatly. Then she proceeded to tell me about what she intends to do in college--take two science courses every year until she graduates, (she is a Freshman now), go to John Hopkins for six years, and then specialize for two years after that. I think anybody that takes two sciences a year all through college must be out of her mind; it would wreck me to spend all that time standing in lab. She says that she is as strong as a horse, that it is her ambition to break down sometime! That is quite an individual ambition. Last night I was planning to go to bed early, but Ruth Brandsten came in with her troubles and talked till almost eleven. I don't make a practice of talking as late as that, but when it is interesting, I don't mind. The thing that amuses me is why anybody on earth should come to me for advice. I think she is a very fine and interesting girl, very much superior to most of the Jewish girls that one meets. I finished "Northanger Abbey" this morning. I enjoyed it very much. That is the first of Jane Austen's book that I have read. I remember trying to get interested in "Pride and Prejudice" quite a few years ago. I remember also that I tried without success. As I said before, i am going walking for a while this afternoon, and then I am coming home and study chem. If anybody disturbs me, she will be shot on the spot. It is great to be able to take one's time to do things, but I guess that feeling will weak off within the next week. That is what I like about cutting Sunday chapel, it starts the day off so leisurely. (Don't get 'het up', Pete.) I spent last evening in the library reading the Articles of Confederation and the arguments advanced against their adoption. It was quite interesting. We are going to spend next week in informal discussion on that subject. There was no letter from you yesterday, Mother. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-01-18 [1921]
Text: January 18, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It was so wonderful after lab yesterday that three of us decided to go skating. We chased back for our skates and then went over to the lake and skated for about a half hour. The ice was great and so was the weather, but my ankles were not. They turned terribly, but I skated alone for about half the time, which is more than I ever was able to do at home. Considering that it was the first time in two years that I have been on the ice, I...
Show moreJanuary 18, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It was so wonderful after lab yesterday that three of us decided to go skating. We chased back for our skates and then went over to the lake and skated for about a half hour. The ice was great and so was the weather, but my ankles were not. They turned terribly, but I skated alone for about half the time, which is more than I ever was able to do at home. Considering that it was the first time in two years that I have been on the ice, I managed pretty well. The carnival is tonight. I am going over to watch it for a little while. It was very cold today--either below zero early this morning. I was the original Columbus of Davison today. Three was a notice on the bulletin board today, "No skating on Pratt Lake, (Sunset) until this evening, on account of the carnival." There was another small notice, which said, "Skating on the old Lake". So five of us went down there afer lunch, and had that whole huge lake all to ourselves. The ice was like gladd. it went a little better than yesterday. it is all a matter of practice, I guess, but certainly my ankles are not naturally any too strong; I don't think skating is going to hurt me any, as long as I don't get chilled. I was so sleepy last night that I went to bed at eight thirty adn[sic] set my clock for six this morning, intending to get up any study. But I did your trick this time, Pete. I am afraid it takes too much courage these cold winter mornings. I just say Lucy. She was on her way back from a conference with Miss Wylie, and she was in her seventh heaven. I told her that it was too bad that I wasn't able to go home and rave with you about Miss Salmon, but that she could make up for me and rave with you about Miss Wylie. I do hope I'll have her next year, but there is a possibility of her course being made into a senior course. We had another interesting day in history today. We constituted ourselves the Continental Congress, and the question before us for duscussion was whether or not to lay the Articles of Confederation before the states for ratification. I am going to study chem for two hours now. The more I look at your picture, Father, the more excellent I think it is. Seriously, (excuse the expression, Pete) I think it is fine. I guess the trouble before was that I wanted you to be very handsome, and--well, you know! Mother, are you planning the come up to college to see me here after I come back from New York after midyears. I think it would be an excellent idea. you were here last year when I was sick, so I would like you to come once and enjoy it. R. S. V. P. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-01-09 [1921]
Text: January 9, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have nothing of much interest to report. I spent an hour yesterday afternoon trying to get started on a history topic and finally gave up in disgust. I took Anna Howard Shaw's "Life of a Pioneer" out of the library and came home, cozied up in my Morris chiar and read for two hours and a half. it is very intersting. Lucy Salmon recommended it to us once upon a time. Then I read two thirds of "The Castle of Otranto...
Show moreJanuary 9, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have nothing of much interest to report. I spent an hour yesterday afternoon trying to get started on a history topic and finally gave up in disgust. I took Anna Howard Shaw's "Life of a Pioneer" out of the library and came home, cozied up in my Morris chiar and read for two hours and a half. it is very intersting. Lucy Salmon recommended it to us once upon a time. Then I read two thirds of "The Castle of Otranto" by Horace Walpole (required reading). Last night I went to Dr. Granfell's lecture on Labrador. It was very good and his pictures were excellent. He was a wonderful sense of humor. The lecture was rather disappointing, though, in that it dealt more with pictures of the country and of the hospital stations than with his actual work and contact with the people. Among other things he showed us a picture the Princeton, Yale, and Harvard boats and told us that the Princeton men were anxious to give a new one because the other one was lost some few years ago. He said it might have been found, except that it was lost by Harvard men! I have been reading today from ten to three-fifteen, with anintermission for dinner. I read four hundred of the five hundred and fifty pages of Scott's "Bride of Lammermoor". I expect to finish it today. I hope I get out of this reading crazy pretty soon. It isn't particularly good for one's spirits. The library cards are in the two books I took out of the library, Mother. I forgot to leave them at home, but they will arrive in the next laundry with the books. My laundry came yesterday, incidentally. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1919-12-19 [?]
Text: [Addressed to Hotel Commodore] December 19, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have been over in my room an hour now attending to things that have to be done over here. My trunk is down now, and I shall pack it the first chance I get. I think I have gotten myself fairly well in hand now, although the minute I stop doing soemthing I realize that I feel far from calm and composed. I told you Dr. Thelberg that I wanted to go back to my room today, that I thought Metcalf had done me all the...
Show more[Addressed to Hotel Commodore] December 19, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have been over in my room an hour now attending to things that have to be done over here. My trunk is down now, and I shall pack it the first chance I get. I think I have gotten myself fairly well in hand now, although the minute I stop doing soemthing I realize that I feel far from calm and composed. I told you Dr. Thelberg that I wanted to go back to my room today, that I thought Metcalf had done me all the good it could do, that I had to do alot of things over here and I would be wasting so much time going back and forth. She said you told her to keep me there till Friday. It was news to me, as it was the first time you every bluffed me, and I am inclined to think you never said any think of the kind. However, I'll know more when I see you, and I shall not fight with her. I have too much else to do. At any rate, she told me I was very ungrateful. Swallow that. She says the reason I am feeling better today is on accound of the medicine she gave me. It makes me laugh--it has not helped me a bit. It is will-power that did it, in spite of the fact that she said I was not using it. Lucy told me in much excitement that Kyra Kann's father died. While I was working at my desk, I wrote her a note. I thought I knew her well enough that it was the proper thing to do. I have quite a little work today, also gym, if the doctor will let me take it. If not, I shall get a walk in. I got a note from Mrs. Hirsh putting herself and her apartment at my disposal for Friday afternoon. I shall not answer it until I know more. It was a very nice note. I also got a long letter from Miss Groff. I have not time to write more. I sent lots of wash clothes home with the laundry today, with instructions to Mary not to have the clean ones washed. See you soon. They have taken off the eleven-thirty-eight, the train I was going to take next Friday. Of course we won't have a special either, so that means we will have to wait for the one-nine. Love,Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Aaron, Hotel Commodore, New York, N. Y.9th FL CLERK Dec 12 @ 13 AM 1919
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: [1919-10-29]
Text: [29 oct 1919] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete; It will have to be a hurried letter again, although I have loads to tell you. The book I wanted Sunday in the library was in use, and I had to rush over immediately after lunch yesterday to get it. I worked in the library from one-fofteen to five-thirty. Then I cam[sic] home and did my work for today. I have all the material for the history topic now, and I have to arange it today. That ought to take one hour. I am one of a committee of four to...
Show more[29 oct 1919] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete; It will have to be a hurried letter again, although I have loads to tell you. The book I wanted Sunday in the library was in use, and I had to rush over immediately after lunch yesterday to get it. I worked in the library from one-fofteen to five-thirty. Then I cam[sic] home and did my work for today. I have all the material for the history topic now, and I have to arange it today. That ought to take one hour. I am one of a committee of four to arrange a course of study for our English class. The object in the classes is to do what they want to do, provided it meets with tge approval of the teacher, of course. We have been excused from two themes, but it means an awful lot of work in the library. Have you any suggestions, old man? The idea is to get plenty of essays, among other things, but they should be of first importance. I discovered today, Father, that the niece of Mrs. Keyes'friend is in my English class. I think she is the girl we passed going to chapel. I told her I met her aunt. The reason for rushing this letter so is that I want to get some exercise today. I missed it yesterday. I shall probably play basket-ball outdoors. It is very warm today. The glass things came. They are awfully pretty--aren't they too pretty and good for here, Mother. I don't want to have any valuable things parading around. Also, my room has all it can stand now, so don't you or anybody else get an idea that there is another thing that I need. Don't send any more silk stockings--I brought those old ones along because I knew they were wearing out and because I could not use them for good. I have enough. We measured North Tower in Math hour yesterday, using surveyors' instruments. It was loads of fun. As we were measuring some old lady came up and wanted to know if we were building a new dormitory. We told her it was just for math, and she said, "Oh, I can sympathize with you-fifty years ago I did the same thing." Only North Tower was not there then. That is all that I have time for. I hope Aunt Hattie has sent me a costume. If not, I can do the way most other people do, and get something up myself. Towels help a lot. Love,
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1919-10-[?]
Text: [? oct 1919] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I shall try my luck at a morning letter, although I shall probably have to stop in the middle of it. I just came back from French class, where we had one of the fool mile-long assignments again. She is so afraid we won't use two hours! If I did as the others did, it would not be so bad, but whenever anyone cannot answer a question, she calls on me. I can not bluff. The reason that I happened to be put on the committe to map out a course of...
Show more[? oct 1919] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I shall try my luck at a morning letter, although I shall probably have to stop in the middle of it. I just came back from French class, where we had one of the fool mile-long assignments again. She is so afraid we won't use two hours! If I did as the others did, it would not be so bad, but whenever anyone cannot answer a question, she calls on me. I can not bluff. The reason that I happened to be put on the committe to map out a course of class study in English, was that each group coming from one class elected one girl. There were only two from Miss Buck's division, she Miss Kitchel asked Miss Buck which one she considered the best qualified. I am surprised Miss Buck thought I was capable of anything. It meant an awful lot of reading and hunting around on the English 1 reserved sections. The idea is to read essays for class work until Christmas. The ssays are to be difficult enough to understand to repay class work. We had a committee meeting in Miss Kitchel's room last night and this morning we are to present several different plans to the class. The plan that I am to present several different plans to the class. The plan that I am to present is the use Steeve's and Ristine's "Representative essays in Modern Thought" as a basic for class work and discussions. Then we are to do a certain amount of reading connected with that and report on it. In addition to it we are to do some outside on any subject we please. The other plan is to get the November issue of the Atlantic Monthly, to study it, and do library reading and writing in connection with it. A list of suggested essays would in that case be posted. That plan appeals to me more, but we will have to take a class vote. One of the members of the committee is the daughter of an English Prof at Yale. Her name is Adams. Is her father anything or don't you happen to know, Pete? Talking about profs, the two books that I used most in my history topic which I handed in yesterday were West's Alcuin and the Rise of the Christian Schools" and another book which I just happened to think was not connected with Princeton. Another book by Professor Munro whom you always call by his whole name was pretty good for the occasion. I took "The Revivial of the Schools under Sharlemagne." It was very interesting and I certainly wently into it thoroughly enough to get a decent mark. My report was about three times as long as most people's. Most of them started to work on them the afternoon before they were due, when the topic was assigned two weeks ahead. I don't believe in that. I committed the first college sin the other night in studying until eleven o'clock. I was very wide awake and I preferred that to getting up at five-thirty. Strange to say I was less tired the next day than any day since I have been here. I suppose it is too late to tell you now. If you sent food in the last laundery, please don't send any in the next--I have toomuch on hand. I forgot to tell you that last night one of the girls asked Miss Kitchel what division we were. To make a long story short. She has two English sections. I mean Freshman English. One is supposed to be very good, and one is supposed to be not quite to good. We are in the latter. It is nearer the top than the bottom, however. She said she kept girls in section that I am in that she did not consider in any way inferior to those she sent to Miss Buck. Of oucrse[sic] your truly would like to be in A1, but I really like her about ten times more than Miss Buck. She surely was great in her room last night. She was not one bit like a teacher. I played tennis with Helen Reid yesterday. you know her, Mother. I discovered that she went to Peabody for three weeks before she went to Cincinnati, and that she reported in the room next to where I did. We had a class meeting Wednesday afternoon to approve a class constitution and to elect officers. Almost all those that stood any showing were from McGlynn's and Main. The two up for President are good. One is in my Latin class, and the other is in miss Buck's English. We were together before. It is raining today--I guess because I have time for outdoor exercise. Our Math class, headed by Miss Wells, measured the height of North Tower the other day. I believe I wrote you so, though. You asked about a week age what group meetings are, Pete. That is the way the Students' Association operates. I think each floor of a quad hall constitutes a group. Each group elects a delegate to the meeting, at which they get their instruction about what to discuss at the next group meeting. A different representative is elected each time. The Hall president is the head of all the groups in that hall. The meetings take place from nne-thirty to ten, and sometimes later. We had prose again yesterday in Latin. The last twenty minutes of the hour are devoted to sight prose. We never had any such thing in high school. Yesterday she gave a translation of some Latin we had read, and we had to turn it back into Latin as idiomatically as we could. I had translated to a girl on my floor about an hour before, so it was rather fresh in my mind, considering we had done it in class about two weeks ago. The girl, I just discovered, is a Jewish Presbyterian. I almost laughed in her face when she told me she was going to the Pres. Church in town on Town Sunday--she does not belong to the church, really, she says, but her family do. We had two Roosevelt lectures in chapel that were not very good, that is, what I heard was not very good. I got a commencement present from Mrs. A. L. Weil yesterday. It is some sort of fancy hanger.I am going to take tomorrow night off and write letters. I got a letter from Pill last night, giving me some dope about Bryn Mawr. Hope you see her at the Harvard game, Pete. She is sure I cannot be as busy as she is--I am sure She cannot be as busy as I am. Her paper had the college seal on it. She wrote in parenthesis takes only three what she calls Main subjects--Economics, Latin, and English. In addition to that she is tutoring in German and Latin poetry. Evidently her September exams were unsuccessful. They had the Belgian Queen there. Otherwise nothing new, except that the hour is up. Without being homseick[sic] or anything like that, I am looking foward to November 15. Love, Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Aaron, 402 S. Winebiddle Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa.P. O. Box 882, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1919-01-14 [1920]
Text: January 14, 1919. [1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It is delightful to save your chapel cuts till the end of the semester and then stay home every night and get a chance to write the daily letter then. I got away from the doctor's office at a little after two today. Dr. B. gave me the punch. I then came back to my room and went over one sixth of the ground we are supposed to review for the Latin exam with Phyllis' roommate. She is very good in class, but she certainly was punk...
Show moreJanuary 14, 1919. [1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It is delightful to save your chapel cuts till the end of the semester and then stay home every night and get a chance to write the daily letter then. I got away from the doctor's office at a little after two today. Dr. B. gave me the punch. I then came back to my room and went over one sixth of the ground we are supposed to review for the Latin exam with Phyllis' roommate. She is very good in class, but she certainly was punk in review. I got along very well working with Phyllis for two years, but it must have been unusual. She is the next best in the class to me, if not as good, as far as marks go, but I could not hand her much today. I then had gym. Today was apparatus day. There was not much to do. One of the things I could not get at all, and that was hanging on to rings, turning over, and sticking the legs in the ring. I did manage to twist a summersault around a pole, though. Saturday night is the third Philharmonic concert. I got my ticket, but I am afraid I shall have to miss it. Last week I went to bed right after dinner. The New York day is none too easy. I wonder if I will have Miss Wells next semester. I certainly hope so, but she may get the class in analyt. geometry. Yes Pete, we wre one of the seven hundred institutions of learning, but the New York Times did not consider us worth cracking up along with Yale, Harvard, and Princeton. There were speeches in chapel the night before, but not knowing that chapel was to be more attractice than usual, I used one of my wonderful cuts. I shall go to chapel during exams, though. I shall need it then! They say it rests the spirit wonderfully then. Aunt Hattie was right that they give fiendish assignments fro vactaion[sic] to Midyears. By the way, you are coming down after midyears, are you not? R. S. V. P. Love, [Fannie]
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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.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: Oct. 9
Text: [Oct 9] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Marse's letter certainly was interesting, Pete. I am sorry that one of the passages that i could not make out was the reference to me. Mother, I cannot tell you yet whether I want to go to Boston or not immediately. I would like to do that, if I don't come home. I sort of thought that I would like to come home and let Dr. Sanes look me over. It will depend of course on how I am feeling. Can't you possibly come East a week later. Sophomore...
Show more[Oct 9] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Marse's letter certainly was interesting, Pete. I am sorry that one of the passages that i could not make out was the reference to me. Mother, I cannot tell you yet whether I want to go to Boston or not immediately. I would like to do that, if I don't come home. I sort of thought that I would like to come home and let Dr. Sanes look me over. It will depend of course on how I am feeling. Can't you possibly come East a week later. Sophomore Party is the night of Saturday, October 30. I don't see how I could possibly decently miss it, besides which, I don't want to miss it. Or could you come a week sooner? If it were not that we want to get the coat, I would suggest that you come up here. You would enjoy the party very much, I am sure, inasmuch as all the acting and everything is going to be done by my class. The Freshmen come in masquerade, you know. R.S.V.P. I aksed some time if you remembered what happened to my thermometer? Do you remember? It is a good thing to have around. I slept quite late this morning, then I dusted my room(!) and did some Spanish. I had intended to do more studying but Harriet Haynes came up with some more typing for Sophomore Party and she was in a hurry for it, so I just did it for her. I certainly am doing my share of the work for that affair. The only thing I don't like about it is that I probably won't get into the performance itself. Of course, my services in this capacity are probably a lot more useful than they would be in any form of acting, but nevertheless I would like to be on the stage with most of the others in the class. Yesterday afternoon I had my hair washed at Jane Wilson's, got my blankets and bath-robe and brought them home, then walked to town with Elizabeth Dinkey, or Braddock, Pa. We rode home. The street-car is all right, now. Last night I went to hear the violincellist, Maurice Marechal. I enjoyed the concert very much, (please don't laugh) and tried desperately to educate myself along a most needed line. I then paid my bi-weekly call on Dr. Baldwin. After that I got into my little trundle-bed. I hope to read about three quarters of Kim" this afternoon. Wishing you the same. I did not have Eva Vogel in Sunday School. I got a "thank you for your good wishes" calling card from A. Kaufman.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 10/11/19
Text: October 11, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I just got back from my medical exam. If she were a good doctor I might take some of her line seriously. Incidentally, I did not know what the various members of the family died of, and I forgot that you were forty-two, Mother. I played doubles tennis yesterday afternoon. One of the four was Darrah More, the daughter of the Princeton prof. She says her father teaches philosophy and Greek, and all sorts of other crazy thing. This morning I...
Show moreOctober 11, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I just got back from my medical exam. If she were a good doctor I might take some of her line seriously. Incidentally, I did not know what the various members of the family died of, and I forgot that you were forty-two, Mother. I played doubles tennis yesterday afternoon. One of the four was Darrah More, the daughter of the Princeton prof. She says her father teaches philosophy and Greek, and all sorts of other crazy thing. This morning I played singles, so I think I am due for some work this afternoon. It is very warm here today. Lester, I don't know what you are hollering about. The two days I did not write letters, I wrote post-cards. There is no startling news today. Tonight Davison is to give its Freshmen a stunt party. I got a note from Mary Z. Anderson yesterday. She signs herself, "Affectionately". Also got one from Marse. Please send this clipping to Pete. Love, [Fannie] How foolish, Father, to ask what date will suit for a visit. The middle of the night would.[enc w/ 11 Oct 1919] Here is the information about the work. We are reading Cicero's letters. It is the first time they have done that. It is a substitution for Livy. You know we read some of them in high school, the only difference is that the notes were much more plentiful in our book, and we read different letters. The math is coming all right. I am no worse than anyone else. It is easy enough to do, but I don't quite grasp the point of the stuff. I am going to study that this afternoon, and I intend to go over all we have had sofar. I think that will straighten me out all right. We use, Bauer and Brooks' Trig. The history is mediaeval[sic]. We use as a text-book J. H. Robinsons's "History of Western Europe". I think I asked you to send it. Lester used it, too. We also use his "Readings in European History". We are supposed to do extra reading in the library, or course. We are finishing a modern edition of the "Chanson de Roland". I think it is very monotonous. I don't know what else we read, except that they are all books I have not read, which was more than I could say of Freshman French. In English they are trying to find out our reading and writing ability and classify us accordingly by giving us William James' "Ona Certain Blindness in Human Beings" and "What Makes A Life Significant"! No wonder I feel like a blockhead. We not only have to read it, but write about it in all sorts of ways. Lester thinks it is pretty deep stuff to give Freshmen. I think that answers all your questions, mother. I took time off today to do it, because during the week it is hard to write more than an average length letter. Miss Buck is assistant head of the department. Love [Fannie][enc w/ 11 Oct 1919] Mother, I want to tell you about the medical exam, and I would like to know how much of it to take seriously and much not to. I will start at the beginning. She wanted to know your age, Father's, whether you and he were in good health, what those of the family died of and how old they were when they died. She asks all the unwell particulars, makes a lot of faces at the answers, asks about all the sichnesses you have had including every little imaginable, finds out what outdoor excercise you have been accustomed to, whether you went to school regularly, etc. I could not see what great difference it made about how well you and Father were, so instead of going into particulars, I told her you were both well. Was that right, or should I have elaborated. As she was finishing, she asked me how long my face had been broken out this way. I told her about two years. She mad some more faces. Then she wanted to know what had been done for it. I told her at first I had a lotion and then a salve, but that they did not help, also that the doctor at home was watching it. She got all excited and told me the worst thing on earth to use was salve, because the breaking out was caused by something or other of the fat in the body, and salve made that worse. She said that I dhould come to her office on Monday and she would gime me a lotion for it. So I thought I had better tell her that it is worse now than usual. She wanted to know why. I told her that the doctor had given me some medicine for another trouble I had gotten and that the medicine had done that, that I had stopped using it and he had sent another prescription. Of course she nebbed in to find out what the other trouble was, and she thought it was terrible that one so young should have gotten any such trouble. Then she made me leave a specimen of the urine and said when i came to the office on Monday to bring along the old medicine and the new prescription, she would in all probability fill it. I have a feeling that if it does not suit her, she will fill in something else, and bluff me that it is the prescription. Meanwhile, I have just about a hundred times more confidence in Dr. Z. than in her. I think I will take the stuff over, let her fill it if she want to, and have it filled in town, and use the latter. Would you not? She also wanted to know if I had had any trouble with constipation. I am afraid it is coming back, so I told her so. I am to tell her about that at the office, too. I am perfectly willing to have her assistance for that, though. She also took a blood-test and this is the way she did it. She pricked my ear, got a splotch on a piece of paper, and compared it with a card she had. There were different colors on the card, representing different per cents. Mine approached the 90s more than any of the others. I told her when the doctor examined it at home it was particularly normal, and she informed me that the first three weeks were very strenuou[sic], and it might have gone down that much. Find out from Dr. Z. what it was when I left. I would like to know, because I should hate to think that I have dropped ten in three weeks. She informed me that I ought to get lots of rest, and particularly on Saturdays and Sundays.She did not mean to stay in bed, but get lots of rest. I know that, and I know that I need it, but how does she know it? I hope that I don't look so badly that a stranger should give me that advice. I suppose I am foolish to take her seriously, particularly when i have no confidence in her ability. I happened to ask one girl about the stuff she gives for the face, and the girl told me that is is very good and does the work, too. I guess it is safe to try it. The rest of it can keep till I see you myself. Let me know what you think of the various medical stunts. The telescope came today. it is 20 and 1/2 by 6. Is that what you ordered? Your long letter came last night. You know it is very good to get long letters. I am glad you and Madame Delaval are sure about the French. I wish I were as sure. I understand that the three courses overlap very much, though. But I have a feeling that it is going to be very stupid and unsystematic. It seems to me that by the time girls reach Sophomore French in college, it ought not to be necessary to spend the hour reading aloud, correcting pronunciation and stumbling over resumes of what has just been read aloud. You did not write about Mrs. Woodbridge. I got a card from D. Goldman saying covers were coming under separate cover. I don't think I need the flower vase--I have a lot of stuff alreadY. I thought I told you that I did not need a water pitcher, as there are two pitchers in Aunt Hattie's set. Besides which, the bath-room is very handly. Also, I have four glasses. If you can cancel the order, I think it would be wise to do so. If not, there is no great harm done. The stuff from Altmann's came. I thought I wrote that. I don't believe I want the candy jar. Now don't be shocked at this. It is not very terrible. I cannot fix my har decently without sticking something in on the sides. Nets are very scratchy, so I have been saving my combings, and I believe they can be made into a small puffs. Is that very unsanitary, or anything like that? If so, I won't do it. If it meets with your approval, could you send me the hair thing of my dresser set with the next laundry. [You understand I don't want to make it stand out like shop-girls.] When I send a note to you and labelled as such, does anyone else read it? If so I shall have to resort to some other method. Love.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1/26/20
Text: January 26, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I cannot say that your telegram yesterday afternoon made me feel particularly easy. I did not think you would be calling up just to make conversation. I do hope Grandpa is getting along all right. I went to Miss Smith after lunch to find out how much truth there is in the rumor that we will not allowed to go to New York or to see parents or friends who come up here by way of New York. She said she was afraid there was a good deal of truth in...
Show moreJanuary 26, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I cannot say that your telegram yesterday afternoon made me feel particularly easy. I did not think you would be calling up just to make conversation. I do hope Grandpa is getting along all right. I went to Miss Smith after lunch to find out how much truth there is in the rumor that we will not allowed to go to New York or to see parents or friends who come up here by way of New York. She said she was afraid there was a good deal of truth in it. I then asked her about my doctor's excuse, and she said I would have to speak to Dr. T., that she would let me go if she thought it was wise. Miss Smith was very nice about it. I shall go over now and see what is doing. Just when i had finished talking to Miss S. I got a telegram from Aunt Bessie saying that you called up on Sunday saying I was to come there Wednesday, when and where should she meet me? I will have to telegraph her as soon as I know. I got a letter from Jeanette today, in which she gave me freshman encouragement. In accordance with the ancient Vassar custom we collected our freshman flock in the soap palace and marched down to Taylor Hall and around to Rockie chanting a Latin dirge, prior to taking the exam, only in our case it consisten of "Veni, vidi, mortua sum". The exam was not particularly hard, but quite long. There was a sight passage, a prose passage, and a prepared translation passage. My head was quite clogged up. I still have some French to do and quite a little history. Love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1/18/20
Text: January 18, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It just occured to me that this is the first time I have written the date right. I got back a little after six last night. I took the care out to college last night. I wanted to see which way bumps less, but it is sixes and sixes, I think. I went to bed then and slept from chapel time till seven thirty this morning, waking up only for the return of the college from the concert. After breakfast I got an airing. I then reviewed some more for my...
Show moreJanuary 18, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It just occured to me that this is the first time I have written the date right. I got back a little after six last night. I took the care out to college last night. I wanted to see which way bumps less, but it is sixes and sixes, I think. I went to bed then and slept from chapel time till seven thirty this morning, waking up only for the return of the college from the concert. After breakfast I got an airing. I then reviewed some more for my Latin exam. I shall now take the Math quizz. This afternoon I shall study some more for the exams--review, not cram, you understand. Love, F.[enc w/ 18 Jan 1920] Dear Mother, I had some day yesterday--I thought my insides would burn out. Aunt Bessie says that is a sign of improvement--perhaps, I don't know. The doctor says he saw a material improvement, about as much better as I felt. I am very glad I came back and did not stay in N. Y. over night, as I felt not one bit worse off, and it was not quite worn off yet. It is a good thing I went to sleep last night early. He told me I behave very well for the treatment! He also told Aunt Bessie I am very plucky--he generally hates to have a young girl come in there because they make too much fuss about themselves. That is all I know.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 5/11/20
Text: May 11, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am going to see Professor Moulton in his office hours this afternoon to see what the dope on chemistry is. Everybody tells me that the 3 and 4 course is much easier than baby chem, and that lots of people take it who had their elementary work in high school several years before. I shall see. I have decided, after careful consideration, that I will take Math. My reason is that I am afraid of making my course to stiff next year, and I think that...
Show moreMay 11, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am going to see Professor Moulton in his office hours this afternoon to see what the dope on chemistry is. Everybody tells me that the 3 and 4 course is much easier than baby chem, and that lots of people take it who had their elementary work in high school several years before. I shall see. I have decided, after careful consideration, that I will take Math. My reason is that I am afraid of making my course to stiff next year, and I think that Math will be the easiest subject. Mother, the only reason I would stay Commencement would be so that you would come up for your reunion. I think it is a decided shame for you to miss it. Commencement itself is not until Tuesday, and I finish exams Friday afternoon. What date does the reunion start? Would it do you any good to come up and stay till Sunday afternoon? I don't care a bit about commencemtn. Next year will be the year that I will want to stay. The fun that the non-Seniors get out of staying is the good time they have loafing around, picnics, etc. and of course I cannot do any of that, so I would not have much fun staying. I do want you to get some of your reunion, anyhow. I have plenty of work on hand. I don't know why it should pile up so. Everybody expects you to spend more time in her department than in any other, and the result is that none are satisfied. Otherwise, there is nothing new. The Math Club are having their farewell picnic on Sunset tomorrow. The Freshmen are invited. I am afraid to go. The Republican convention is tonight. Sorry I have not more dope on the subject. Various eminemtn Juniors and Seniors have been impersonating the candidates, dressed in men's clothes, and making stump speeches. Love, I should like very much to meet you in New York, but it is out of the question, particularly inasmuch as it is the week-end before exams. I felt so badly after coming back that I would not dare to risk it. I am surprised that you ask whether I want to go to prom or not. Of course I have been looking forward to it for ages, but unless I feel better than I do now, I could not dream of risking it. It is an effort just to go to classes and so the little things I have to do--I think dancing would be far from beneficial. I would not go under any circumstances without the doctor's consent.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 8-May
Text: Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: This is a borrowed typewritter, which means that all mistakes are to be excused. I was offered a fifteen page typewriting job, but I simply have not got the time for anything like that. The girl was desperate, so I lent her my machine. I am so busy and in such a constant state of sleepiness and dopiness that I get nothing accomplished and continue to have stacks to do. Thank goodness it will be over soon, or I am sure I would not last to the end of the term. I...
Show moreDear Mother, Father, and Pete: This is a borrowed typewritter, which means that all mistakes are to be excused. I was offered a fifteen page typewriting job, but I simply have not got the time for anything like that. The girl was desperate, so I lent her my machine. I am so busy and in such a constant state of sleepiness and dopiness that I get nothing accomplished and continue to have stacks to do. Thank goodness it will be over soon, or I am sure I would not last to the end of the term. I had a conference with Miss Kitchel this morning. She thinks I show considerable improvement, part cularly since I came back. I am quite sure that I can make the necessary improvement in my writing by keeping tab on myself, withouttaking a writing course. I went to see Miss White in her office hour today, but she was not there. The second language does not worry me in the least, only I don't want to take it. I fully intend to take an exam next fall. A big math quiz will take place tomorrow. Here is hoping I will soon get some work off my hands. Love, [Fannie] [May 18]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 4/21/20
Text: April 21, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I cannot send my laundry home until a telescope comes. Or do you want me to buy one of those frail ones here? Dr. T. told me last night to stay at Metcalf until "I have my legs working a little better". It is very comfortable there. I have a corner single, with a steamer chair out on my porch, so I think I will stay there until I feel as well as I did when i left home. The medicine came. I showed her the prescription. She said it is...
Show moreApril 21, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I cannot send my laundry home until a telescope comes. Or do you want me to buy one of those frail ones here? Dr. T. told me last night to stay at Metcalf until "I have my legs working a little better". It is very comfortable there. I have a corner single, with a steamer chair out on my porch, so I think I will stay there until I feel as well as I did when i left home. The medicine came. I showed her the prescription. She said it is very similar to what she has been giving me. It looks and smells like Dr. Funness's. I go to Miss Wells this afternoon for any necessary help before the quizz. Miss Wylie lectures to the Freshmen eighth hour. How long do you want me to continue telegraphing? Another glorious spring day. I have to beat it over to Metcalf for lunch now. I don't feel quite as well as yesterday, but still much better than Saturday and Sunday. Love,
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 11/20/19
Text: November 20, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It is all very well to teach people to typewrite, but I think the next time I shall not use my machine. I took it out last night to copy and English theme, I could not get it to space. I did not have time to fuss with it, so I borrowed one which I am still using. I was very busy yesterday working on an English report. Miss Kitchel discovered that the little I knew about the French system of education was more than the rest of the class knew,...
Show moreNovember 20, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It is all very well to teach people to typewrite, but I think the next time I shall not use my machine. I took it out last night to copy and English theme, I could not get it to space. I did not have time to fuss with it, so I borrowed one which I am still using. I was very busy yesterday working on an English report. Miss Kitchel discovered that the little I knew about the French system of education was more than the rest of the class knew, so I was assigned that as a special topic. The others all had themes to write, but they were allowed to choose their subjects. We were supposed to spend at least four hours on it. I spent more, because I could not find any condensed material. I worked later than I like to so i shall have to make up for it tonight. Mlle. Champy made us write the whole hour today. If I had known more about the stuff we were to write about, I would have been better out. I have arranged to call on Miss Kitchel today. I guess it must be done. Mlle. Champy comes tomorrow, Miss Thallon, Miss Wells, Miss Cowley come Sunday. I am not looking forward to it anxiously. Last night was Prexy's birthday, and we serenaded him. It was rather cold to make him come out of his house and make a speech. He was in a very good humor, so he gave a detailed picture of "his friend the Prince of Wales", as he saw him. He said he could not persuade him to come up here. We have a class meeting today. I intend to order a taxi with some others for Wednesday, as there will be such a car rush that I would run the chance of missing the train. Love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 3/11/20
Text: March 11, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have assignments from everybody now, and I have enough reading to do to keep me plenty busy. I went to get my mail after second hour this morning and discovered my trunk peacefully reposing in the Soap Palace. It is not packed yet. I went to the janiotr's[sic] office to discover the reason, and found that the trasportation people at the station had telephoned to them to take it over to Main, as they could not get it over to Davison. They...
Show moreMarch 11, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have assignments from everybody now, and I have enough reading to do to keep me plenty busy. I went to get my mail after second hour this morning and discovered my trunk peacefully reposing in the Soap Palace. It is not packed yet. I went to the janiotr's[sic] office to discover the reason, and found that the trasportation people at the station had telephoned to them to take it over to Main, as they could not get it over to Davison. They did so, without finding out whether or not it was packed. They have brought it back, and I must pack it now. I lost the whole evening last night. Our English class was expected to go hear the lecture of Ervine on the Irish question. We waited until nine o'clock, when Miss Wylie got up to announce that he could not reach Poughkeepsie till ten-thirty. I have to sign up by tomorrow whether I am going to keep my present room or not. Phyllis is coming up this afternoon, so i shall finish up the job then. See you the day after tomorrow. Love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 10/23/19
Text: October 23, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: According to appointment, I met Lucy at a quarter to four and we proceeded to start on our journey to the cider mill. She was asked Eleanor Wildberg to go with us, and by the time the latter was ready to go, we had wasted three quarters of an hour. Nothing exciting happened, outside of the fac[sic] that I brought home some good apples. No wonder Louise likes E. W.--they are two of a kind. I worked in the library last night on another one of...
Show moreOctober 23, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: According to appointment, I met Lucy at a quarter to four and we proceeded to start on our journey to the cider mill. She was asked Eleanor Wildberg to go with us, and by the time the latter was ready to go, we had wasted three quarters of an hour. Nothing exciting happened, outside of the fac[sic] that I brought home some good apples. No wonder Louise likes E. W.--they are two of a kind. I worked in the library last night on another one of those indefinite English assignments. I am beginning to get all of them that I can swallow. We had our second English class this morning. I certainly do like the teacher better--she comes down to earth much more than Miss Buck. I think it is supposed to be a medium section. I had the insperation of sitting near Miss Wiley at lunch today at the Lodge. I met Carolyn Bailey according to appointment and we went to the Lodge for lunch. Of course we had a grand argument as to who should pay, and I won the argument. Don't laugh. The lunch cost sixty-five cents a person plus waiter's tip. -------- I am going to finish tomorrow's work and then work P. D. Q. (is that the way you spell it?) on my history topic. I forgot to tell you, Pete, that my advisor was in Princeton last Saturday. She was aslo at Commencement last year. Did you perchance see a girl intellectual enough to have hailed from Vassar? Love, [Fannie] I wish I knew if you were coming, Father.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: [April 26 ?]
Text: [26 Apr?] April 27, 1923 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: The debate dinner last night was loads of fun. Prexie was seated between Evan and me, and Miss Gibson, of the Ec department, our "right-hand man" was directly opposite me, so it was most enjoyable. Prexie told us some very amusing tales about himself. Ruth Hall and Bish entertained us with a debate on "Resolved that Evan Waller is a Perfect Chairman". Prexie moderated. It was quite funny. Today we had a very...
Show more[26 Apr?] April 27, 1923 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: The debate dinner last night was loads of fun. Prexie was seated between Evan and me, and Miss Gibson, of the Ec department, our "right-hand man" was directly opposite me, so it was most enjoyable. Prexie told us some very amusing tales about himself. Ruth Hall and Bish entertained us with a debate on "Resolved that Evan Waller is a Perfect Chairman". Prexie moderated. It was quite funny. Today we had a very disagreeable and unpleasant meeting, trying to elect a chairman for next year. Some very unpleasant things have occurred. Saw Helen perform in the German play this afternoon. She was screamingly funny, particularly when she got the giggles while taling another man, in the from of Doris Marks who also got the giggles, what a wonderful wife the latter had. Your friend Professor Root is going to lecture tomorrow morning on something to do with satire. I am dead, so instead of working I shall go off to slumberland at the late hour of eight. Love
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: Apr. 12.
Text: [Apr 12] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: We had debate practice from seven-thirty to ten last night. Miss Yost was there to criticize. Lucy spoke to fill out for the sixth-person. Clara Cheney got back last night. I don't know if she will debate or not. She thinks it would be a good thing for her, to occupy her mind. I should think she would need something to occupy it, all right. Her father is dead, and she has no brothers or sisters. It must be an awful feeling to be as aone[sic] in...
Show more[Apr 12] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: We had debate practice from seven-thirty to ten last night. Miss Yost was there to criticize. Lucy spoke to fill out for the sixth-person. Clara Cheney got back last night. I don't know if she will debate or not. She thinks it would be a good thing for her, to occupy her mind. I should think she would need something to occupy it, all right. Her father is dead, and she has no brothers or sisters. It must be an awful feeling to be as aone[sic] in the world as she it! It might interest you to know the followeing. It is all strictly confidential, because it was told to me confidentially by two members of the committee who should not have cracked it. We had a meeting eighth hour yesterday to discuss chairmen for next year for debate. As each possibility is discussed she had to leave the room, and if ever frank judment is passed on people it is done there. There is nothing that is not said about them, it seems to me. Well, I left, and thought, what a waste of time it was to discuss me. Well, the long and short of it is, that they were unanimous in thinking that I would make by fare the best chairman, but they were almost ananimous in agreeing that I was needed for a speaker, that I was the best speaker for next year and that they couldn't sacrifice that for the sake of a good chairman who is not necessarily a good debater. Minerva, particularly, urged them to let me be a speaker. They thought the college needed it! When one of them said that they needed me to step into Marian Chaill's place, I thought I would drop on the spot. I don't know which I would rather be. Debating is more fun and more spectacular, but chairman is a wonderful honor and lots of fun, too. But it is a tremendous responsibility and takes even more time than debating, I think. At any rate, I will be whatever they make me. It really makes me very happy to think of it. Jewish girls don't have honors like that thrown at them around here every day of the year. According to what they said, if I am not made chairman, it is because they think me indispansable to debating. You see, all the fine debaters agree graduating. Pete, for goodness' sake, don't waste part of our precious day Sunday by not coming up till morning. If you come that night, you will get a good night's rest and we can enjoy Sunday together. Campus is perfectly beautiful again. Spring certainly is a wonderful time of the year around here. Bernice Rosenbaum, your acquaintance Fritz's cousin, cameback after vacation with a new nose. She had the kink taken out in Cincinnati! That is the first sample of it I have seen. She certainly had some kink to take out. Did Evelyn Goldenson thank anyone for the hdkfs? TR. S. V. P. Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 2/16/20
Text: February 16, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: The curtains do not need to be washed yet. The work I was doing for Ruth was acting as her secretary for debate. She is chairman of the committe on materials. I got a note yesterday from the chairman of the seenery committee of Third Hall, asking me to be on it. I have a notion Ruth gave her my name. I had not signed up for it. I did not make a part in Second. I had not expected to, as far as that went. Thank you for having the various things...
Show moreFebruary 16, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: The curtains do not need to be washed yet. The work I was doing for Ruth was acting as her secretary for debate. She is chairman of the committe on materials. I got a note yesterday from the chairman of the seenery committee of Third Hall, asking me to be on it. I have a notion Ruth gave her my name. I had not signed up for it. I did not make a part in Second. I had not expected to, as far as that went. Thank you for having the various things in my laundry attended to. I shall feed the gang tonight, although that cake won't go very far. Evidently Mary does not know the sizes of their appetites. I worked three hours on my history topic yesterday, and have about six ahead of me yet. Prexy lectures for Freshman English tomorrow. How I hate our English. I wonder whether you are coming back this week, Mother. I sent the telegram last evening, because I understood you question about the treatment to be for the past week. As far as I can make out, I seem to be getting consistently worse. It is not very encouraging. I forgot to write that Miss Landon called and left her card, yesterday a week ago. I shall have to call on her the first Sunday I get a chance. I enjoyed watching the prom very much, principally because had never seen so many pretty girls in pretty clothes and dancin decently, besides. It was quite a contrast with our dances at home. Whether they were so particular about their dancing because they know that the wordens won't stand for anything else of not I do not know. Perhaps they indulge in the other stuff in their own communities. At any rate, even a homely girl can look fairly decently in evening dress, and with so many pretty ones, it was certainly a pretty sight. I might start raving about Carolyn. Howard Spellman came out with the remark yesterday, "Your advisor is surely a beauty." This sounds almost like Marse, raving about looks, but you should have seen it. I watched it from five to six, and that included the grand march. Carolyn and her partner led it. I am sure I saw him at the Yale game, and that you told me he is a classmate of yours whose name is Irv. Harris. She knew how to run the thing, but I'll quit. My famous dance was the second, which I had the pleasure of dancing behind the chairs in the balcony. It was fun, but I don't see now just what pleasure that was. Otherwise nothing of interest to write about. Love, [F]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 3/5/20
Text: March 5, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and pete: I set my calendar for March this morning, instead of November, as it has been the last few months. I hope the date is right, Pete. As you will notice from the enclosed clippings, I have been throwing away old Micellanies this morning. I have to do as you do, Pete, once in a while--send a lot of clippings. I'll forgive you if you are not interested enough to read them. The snow is melting rapidly, but it is still packed high. Walking is...
Show moreMarch 5, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and pete: I set my calendar for March this morning, instead of November, as it has been the last few months. I hope the date is right, Pete. As you will notice from the enclosed clippings, I have been throwing away old Micellanies this morning. I have to do as you do, Pete, once in a while--send a lot of clippings. I'll forgive you if you are not interested enough to read them. The snow is melting rapidly, but it is still packed high. Walking is almost impossible. It is raining today. I spent about an hour and a half with Phyllis yesterday afternoon. She is moving on campus today. I hauled some of her clothes on my way back. I had almost to swim to campus. Her frost-bitten feet are so bad again that she cannot put shoes on. She is going to Columbia to her army sister for vacation. She thinks they are going to sell their house at home, as her brother has been married recently and her sister is to be married in June. I spent one hour last night writting an elegaic couplet in Latin. I am quite proud of it--I hope you can understand it-- Dic, Ovidi, mihi subveni, cum carmina scribam, Non aliquis te imitari versusque potest. We start Horace next week. I went to bed early last night, and had a good long sleep. Otherwise there is nothing new or exciting. Love, [Fannie] It just occured to me now that it is customary to sign one's letters.[enc w/ 5 March 1920] Dear Mother, I was on time to the day this time--last night. I did not go to the classes this morning. We were to have a history written for half the hour, and that would have meant getting up at five-thirty for six to study for it, so I concluded to make it up next week and take it easy today. The only other things I missed were English Speech and Latin. Besides which, it is rainy and horribly slushy out. So I took it easy this mrning[sic]--fixed breakfast in my room, straightened everything up, and shall stay in bed all afternoon. I will be able to come home whenever the doctor wants me. I could not get the conversation with Phyllis yesterday to turn to the room subject. All I could get was that she did not know where she would be--she wanted to get with the Conclin crowd and they will probably try for Raymond. She makes the tenth, so I doubt if they will every be able to get together. She said, without my asking, that she would never in the world give up my room if she had it, unless for a double. She started to say that there would be a nice bunch here next year. Several of the first floor girls that are here now are going to stay, and some more of the New England girls to move in. I do not happen to know them well, but I know they have nothing against me and I have nothing against them. So I don't knowmuch more than I did before. I shall talk to her agin[sic] before I go home. Love, Mother Mother Mother Mother Mother Mother Mother
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 2/3/20
Text: [Addressed to Mother @ Hotel Royal Poinciana] February 3, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: My laundry case surely was busted--I am surprised my clothes were not lost. I think I'll get a canvas case if I can--they do not break, I believe. I am glad that you are well enough to go home, Pete. The ten o'clock club had its party down in Miss Smith's room last night. I was there when you called up. Inasmuch as I had caughed up for it I decided to go. Champy has started her usual...
Show more[Addressed to Mother @ Hotel Royal Poinciana] February 3, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: My laundry case surely was busted--I am surprised my clothes were not lost. I think I'll get a canvas case if I can--they do not break, I believe. I am glad that you are well enough to go home, Pete. The ten o'clock club had its party down in Miss Smith's room last night. I was there when you called up. Inasmuch as I had caughed up for it I decided to go. Champy has started her usual assignment with one book on reference in the library. I went for it this hour, but it was already in use, so I came back here to write to you instead. I waited in the stuffy doctor's office from one fifteen to two yesterday. I really do not think the iron hypos are worthing[sic] missing just that much time outdoors. The flue, grippe, cold, etc rush is so great that they have given the office over to Dr. Scott and she is not much on managing it. From there I went over to Students' to the reading of L'Aigon, the second Hall play. Tryouts are next week, and Helen Reid persuaded me to go to convince myself that I could make a minor part, but I doubt it very much. I don't know if I will try out or not. Yesterday was the fourth anniversary of President McCracken's presidency and Miss Palmer's head wardenship. Otherwise I know of nothing exciting. Love, [Fannie] Mother, it occurred to me the other day that it is about time for Luckey's to have sent the book-case base with a drawer. Did they not promise one. I don't suppose I can go in about it, though, with the quarantine on.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 2/6/20
Text: February 6, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am looking forward to the day when the snow-storms in our vicinity will not delay the mails that have been delayed in Florida and when I will recieve about four letters from you, Mother. I went up to the Dean's office this morning and had me schedule changed. I am very glad I did it. I did not want to take prose in the first place--I was doing it from what I suppose might be termed a sense of duty--and after the elections were in i...
Show moreFebruary 6, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am looking forward to the day when the snow-storms in our vicinity will not delay the mails that have been delayed in Florida and when I will recieve about four letters from you, Mother. I went up to the Dean's office this morning and had me schedule changed. I am very glad I did it. I did not want to take prose in the first place--I was doing it from what I suppose might be termed a sense of duty--and after the elections were in i became fully convinced that it is much more profitable for one not intending to teach Latin to have more drill in reading at sight than to write in Latin. I think one of the main virtues in taking Latin is to be able to read quotations when you come across them, and extra sight drill certainly helps for that. They were perfectly willing to change me--I told the secretary that I have to go to New York to the doctor every week, and that so far I have gone on Saturdays, but that I would like if possible to keep Friday afternoon open. That was not a fish story, either. If there is anything big up here Saturday nights, I have to miss it, because I go to bed when I come back. This way, inas much as we have hygiene no more, I can take the 11:38 on Friday if I want to and come back late Friday afternoon, even the 7:10. I am very glad I did it, because I know I sacrificed nothing. I am sure you will be satisfied. At any rate, it is the first step of acting on my own hook. I had a very delightful afternoon yesterday. I read L'Aiglon", the Second Hall play. Having read it, I proceeded to sign up for the tryouts for several minor parts. There is no use in trying for main parts when such upperclass stars as Slifford Sellers try for them. I don't expect to make anything, but their big holler is to try out even if you have never acted before. I had my first dose of English speech this morning. My instructor is Miss Rogers, one of my neighbors on the fourth floor of Davison. We have quite a large assignment for next week. She told us, by the way, the English Speech was made compulsory here by a petition of the student-body. The snow is just as deep, if not deeper, than yesterday, but they have the walks pretty well shovelled by this time. It took two horses to pull the shovel, and even then they did not get all on the walks. We had classes today. Love, [Fannie] I read your preaching letter this morning. That is what Roosevelt called his of that type, and I do not think it was fair of hi to copy you, anyhow. I agree with you so thoroughly thatI shall continue to try, only harder than before, to act in accordance with it, and try out for non-academic things, even though I don't make, them, and let XYZ hang on others.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 5/16/20
Text: Dear Mother, Father If you are around, and Pete: Sorry to upset your plans, but Miss Smith told me this morning that no Freshmen can stay on the campus under any circumstances except as guests of sisters in the senior class. The question is, then, what to do with me if you come up. I don't imagine Aunt Bessie will be well enough to have me around, will she? I'll send the fullard dress home soon. It is very little too tight. The brown is all right. The blue gorgette was all right,...
Show moreDear Mother, Father If you are around, and Pete: Sorry to upset your plans, but Miss Smith told me this morning that no Freshmen can stay on the campus under any circumstances except as guests of sisters in the senior class. The question is, then, what to do with me if you come up. I don't imagine Aunt Bessie will be well enough to have me around, will she? I'll send the fullard dress home soon. It is very little too tight. The brown is all right. The blue gorgette was all right, too, when I wore it at home the Sunday before I left but it won't hurt it it is a little looser. I don't see any occasion for sending it. You might bring it in your trunk when you come, as the only place I would use it would be around New York or Princeton. All the dresses are all right, but some are a little tighter than others. They arrived in very good condition. Third Hall certainly was wonderful. Its wonderful success and the fact that it did not lag anywhere are attributed to the fact that it is the first time in a long time that they have not undertaken something too difficult. The coloring of the costumes made a wonderful picture against the green of the outdoor theater. I was about half way back on the left and heard wonderfully well. You are supposed to be able to hear just as well from the last row, though. The grass was quite damp, so I had on a serge dress, a winter coat, was wrapped in three blankets, and had a pillow under my feet. Certainly that should have kept me from taking cold. Field Day was yesterday morning. I stayed two hours. I certainly am not strong or anything like that. I don't know whether it was the sun or the excitement of what, at any rate I had a fiendish headache all afternoon, and had to stay on my bed with a cold clothe over my forehead. I thought it was a good old-fashioned sick headache but it left before dinner. The sophomores won Field Day, and Rita Fuguet '22 of Davison broke the previous records for broad-jumping, which means that she gets a grey sweater with a rose V. It means also that she will be president of Davison next year, and the president of many other things before she graduates. The athletes are idolized here just as much as in any men's college. Miss Thallon won her sweater in the days gone by, too. She was wearing it yesterday. I have on hand three and one half bottles of medicine, so please do not send any more untill I write for them. They arrived fourteenth from you. I certainly was surprised to have Father call me up the other night just as I was finishing dinner. I had not heard from you yet. However, it was a very pleasant surprise. Here is a good joke. Laugh. The Phi Beta Kappa addresswas delivered last Friday night, by Dean Woodbridge of Columbia. I sort of wanted to go, not so much because it was the Phi Beta Kappa address, as because I like to go to any lecture on Friday nights, if it appeals to me at all. Beatrice Bagg told me that Miss Ellory recommended it strongly to her history class as being tremendously worth while. She said that the whole college does not go, but that they should go nevertheless. Se we decided to go. On our way over we met Miss Cowley, all dolled up in light blue evening-dress, (if you can imagine the combination). We asked if Freshmen could go, and she said they most certainly could. We should go as her escort. Outside the door we met two other Freshmen who did not have the nerve to go in, so Miss Cowley attatched them to her escort. In the vestibule I saw only Phi Bets, and I was beginningto kick myself for letting myself be seen in such a place, but Miss Cowley would listen to no argument--we had to go into the place with her. In we marched, I at the tail-end of the procession. What does Miss Cowley do but march down to the fifth row from the front! It was time for the lecture to start, but the place was practicaly empty. There were only those seniors there who had to be and a few of the faculty. So as they walked into their seats, one by one, I saw my chance and beat it out of the door that leads to the basement, dashed up the stairs and down Raymond Avenue to Davison as fast as my legs would carry me. I don't suppose they missed me till I was home! Beatrice came back, threw herself on my bed and proceeded to let out her wrath about Miss Cowley's lack of sense, for getting us in under false pretences. She had to sit between Miss Cowley and Mrs. Tillinghast and she said she never spent a worse hour. I don't believe she knows what the lecture was about, except that it was very deep and philosophical. She surely was a circus when she came back. She said she did not think she would ever be able to look any of the faculty in the face again. I was quite stuck on myself for having the good sense to make my escape. I intend to do tomorrow's work today, wash my hair, and start my Latin review. Love, [Fannie] May 16, 1920, What is Cousin Pauline's present address? I got a package of tea from her about a week ago and I forgot all about it until I opened my food chest yesterday. I must thank her as soon as I know where to write. Also, could you send me some good apples in the next laundry. They are very hard to get around here and I must have something to fill up on. Bananas are pretty hard on one for steady diet.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 11/9/19
Text: Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I spent yesterday in a very unexcited way, taking my sweet time getting all sorts of work done. Ther is my idea of a week-end rest. I did the same today. Somehow or other this paper tore--excuse it please. I spent four hours on Mondays French. I think that woman is cracked. I had intended to call on Miss Cowley today, but I left the library at then after five. I thought it was much earlier. I think it is very bad form to call so near supper time, is it not? I...
Show moreDear Mother, Father, and Pete: I spent yesterday in a very unexcited way, taking my sweet time getting all sorts of work done. Ther is my idea of a week-end rest. I did the same today. Somehow or other this paper tore--excuse it please. I spent four hours on Mondays French. I think that woman is cracked. I had intended to call on Miss Cowley today, but I left the library at then after five. I thought it was much earlier. I think it is very bad form to call so near supper time, is it not? I did not want to risk it, at any rate. I got my history done for Tuesday. That means I have worked ahead as much as possible. The week ought not to be so rushed, although I imagine that we will have a bunch of quizzes the Monday after I get back. I went up late yesterday afternoon to get a Cap and Gown. Everybody was out except Duffie Schulman. She has a very keen perception--haha, and discovered that I was rather disguested with my work and things in general, and she absolutely made me go off campus with her and Lucy and Marjorie Peck for dinner. I did not want to go, but it was really a good thing for me. At any rate she and I ran most of the way back, and dropped into my seat just before the doors were locked and as the choir was starting to march down. I never want to make such close connections again. I am glad that I stuck to my idea of wearing a cap and gown. I fully expected to find half the class rigged up in them, but there were only two others. I guess they all thought that everybody else would be doing it, so decided not to. Duffie offered me her [???] key, but I thought it might be taken seriously. The performance was much better than the sophomore one--it was held together much better. The scene opened with a bunch of girls waving their high school diplomas. Then they sit down and wonder what they are going to do with themselves. Then various scenes appear, and as each one finds her work, she gets up and leaves the stage. Clifford Sellers, Junior President, whom you know, Mother, is the only one left. Suddenly she decides she wants to go to college. She stays on the stage, while a sort of spirit announces all the things good and bad in college. As each one comes in the large scale in the background, balances to geood then bad, etc. The scenes were awefully well worked out, beautifully costumed, and well acted. Some of them were parting from home, friends made at college, who by the way were perfect take-offs on about twenty girls in out class, cramming for exams, field day, ice carnival, English speech classes, Junior prom, errors of a exam in Hygiene lectures, Phi Beta Kappa awards, etc. It was awefully good.The take-off on Dr. T. in her lectures was perfect only it made me think that I had not taken as many notes as might be necessary. The other says I should not try to draw a moral lesson from everything. In the Junior prom stunt, Clifford Sellers asks if they have men for that. The answer is, if you are lucky enough. Then the various men appear, all of whom have some good reason for not being able to come. The Harvard law student in Cap and Gown in too busy, the supposedly good looking but rather sissified Princetonian says he would like to, but since the Fifth Debate of Vassar, he is afraid his mental capulties are not equal too it, and big Yale athlete, who got some applause, says he is not able to come, because he has eight dates, finally the brother is asked, and he is willing to risk it. He then comes in, and falls over himself and his feet generally. I think that scene, the Hygiene lecture, and the Ice Carnical, which was beautiful, and the take-offs on the Freshmen, took best. At the end Clifford Sellers presented us with the banner of the odd classes and Olive Watkins accepted it. Rrefreshments[sic] and dancing till ten-forty-five followed. Lucy was on the Food Committee, so I toted Marjorie Peck around till she was able to come back. Lucy has certainly been good enough to me, so I thought I better do that. I never saw a kid have such a good time. Henrietta Seitner just came up to invite me to tea in Senior Parlor Tuesday afternoon. Her Aunt Selina is to be here. Did you say you sent my laundry special delivery? It is not here yet. Love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 10/20/19
Text: October 20, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: You must be desperate when you want something to write, Father, or do you rate my mentality too low to write sense? I have not much to say except that I have five minutes to write before my next class. I am going to have my hair washed, and I am due for the next visist about my ankle. I worked most of yesterday. I also went to Miss Cowley's tea. Evidently it is customary to wear hats and get all dolled up when you go to call on faculty. I...
Show moreOctober 20, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: You must be desperate when you want something to write, Father, or do you rate my mentality too low to write sense? I have not much to say except that I have five minutes to write before my next class. I am going to have my hair washed, and I am due for the next visist about my ankle. I worked most of yesterday. I also went to Miss Cowley's tea. Evidently it is customary to wear hats and get all dolled up when you go to call on faculty. I did not know that--faux pas number one. The handbook says "Be sure to make mistakes or you won't have any reminiscences." I finished most of Tuesday's work yesterday, so I shall work on the history in the library tonight. Are you coming next Saturday, Father? Love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1-May
Text: Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I just came back from the song contest--I suppose I'll be sorry tomorrow that I went, but it is such a glorious day and the holiday spirit is in the air, and I went--that is my only excuse. It certainly was great. Each class grouped on the steps of Studentss and sang their songs. Every class sang the Alma Mater, their favorite college songs, and for the third song an original song. The senior song was very serious, ours and the junior one were funny. The...
Show moreDear Mother, Father, and Pete: I just came back from the song contest--I suppose I'll be sorry tomorrow that I went, but it is such a glorious day and the holiday spirit is in the air, and I went--that is my only excuse. It certainly was great. Each class grouped on the steps of Studentss and sang their songs. Every class sang the Alma Mater, their favorite college songs, and for the third song an original song. The senior song was very serious, ours and the junior one were funny. The seniors were awarded the banner, and the juniors the cup. Then there was much cheering, and some more singing. Then the whole college went to the Juniors' tree, and cheered some more. It is remarkable the fun you get out of exercising your lungs. The ball-game is at two this afternoon. I'll go early so as to get a sear. I did not know till yesterday that the men of the faculty play. It must be a circus. Mr. Jackson was here last night, and Helen asked me to come to their party at the Inn, as I believe I wrote yesterday. But the weather was bad, and I felt accordingly, so I was afraid to risk it. I hope Helen was not sore. I am sure I have written at least twice that the date of Third Hall is Saturday, May eighth. The Phil prize plays are tomorrow night. Mother, was the big fiftieth anniversary celebration on Founder's Day? I was wishing you were here today. I do hope you come next week. I have been looking forward to it, anyhow. And still I live at Metcalf. I wish this fool thing would get better soon. I suppose I won't be able to enjoy your Commencemtn[sic] either. Love [F] May 1.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 2/9/20
Text: February 9, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: The one nice thing about the washout north of you, Mother, is that I got four letters from you this morning. I gave the maid her Christmas present after I came back, Mother, and the janitor has never been around that I have noticed--besides which, there is no occasion for that. I do not need a check yet. I have over a hundred dollars left, but don't you have to pay the second semester bill? I did not send the books, Pete, because I did...
Show moreFebruary 9, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: The one nice thing about the washout north of you, Mother, is that I got four letters from you this morning. I gave the maid her Christmas present after I came back, Mother, and the janitor has never been around that I have noticed--besides which, there is no occasion for that. I do not need a check yet. I have over a hundred dollars left, but don't you have to pay the second semester bill? I did not send the books, Pete, because I did not think it safe to send them in a smashed case. I'll send them Wednesday. It will be time enough for the bulfinch to send it with the laundry. I was fully intending to go to town to buy a telescope Saturday when I met Lucy and she volunteered to have her Mother have their store send me one like hers--she has used hers for several years and it has not broken. It will be sent to the house. The ones Luckey's have are not a bit solid. It ought to be there in time for the next laundry. I finally found Miss Bourne at home last night, and she certainly was nice to me. She said that she had not realized that I wanted to change so thatI would not be so rushed up here the end of the week, that certainly it was a shame to have to miss all the college activities up here, etc., that it was not so very important whether or not I take prose, inasmuch as I have a solid foundation anyhow, and I should come in the morning class. She will give me the prose sentences when the other class have them, and if I have time and feel like doing them she will correct them, but I must not let myself do too much work. She said that she could tell from the little she knew of me that "I was inclined to take life rather seriously" anyway. So she was rubbed the right way. I am glad I changed both for the hour and for the fact that I think any additional prose is useless. She said she had hoped that I would continue Latin next year, that I gave a promise of doing very clear-headed and logical work, in advanced prose, for instance. I am not heading for a job as a high school Latin teacher, but I politely told her that I did not see my way clear to it, that there was so much to take, and that I did want to get Greek in. She was nice as it lies in her power to be. I recited with the morning section this morning. They are quite stupid. Miss Kitchel did not appear this morning and after thee minutes from the time of the bell had passes, the class left. Have you and such regulation that you have to wait for five minutes for a prof, four for an assistant prof, and three for an instructor, and then if he she or it does not appear, you get a cut. I am still quite messed up in this system of having no textbooks in solid geometry.Champy discussed marks with us this morning. She informed us that my B was a very, very, high B, in fact almost an A. Bless her fool heart, what good does she thinks it did the class to hear that. She stopped me on my way out of class to tell me how long she had hesitated before giving me a B instead of an A. She said she was about to give me an A when she was told that an A had to mean almost perfect, and then she decided that inasmuch as this was her first year here she had better not give an A, but if she had been giving A's, I certainly would have received one, and she did hope I would get one this semester. Poor fool! I believe in the closed mark system. What did you say, Mother? I spent about an hour and a half last night practicing the tryout parts for "the fellow who blacks the bootlack's boots". That is about how important I will be if I make the part. Helen Reid is trying for the Duke. I do hope she makes it. She had the main part in three plays at Packer last year. I worked for over an hour on Ruth Franklin's stuff last night. I have to finish it up today. I called on Bess yesterday. A Pittsburgh girl, and advisee of hers from last year, Janet Trimball, brought her mother, and we had to suffer over her tea-cups again. This old lady started hopping off on the question of teachers' salaries. She did think that some of the millionaires in Pittsburgh ought to pitch in and help those poor people out. She was very amusing. And then when she started off on what a shame it is that some women are so fat I began to think of your yarns about kidding Mrs. Cowley and I was glad that I had a tea-cup to keep my facial expression busy with. It is much warmer now, but the crust of the snow is still so solid that it holds even my weight without caving in. The paths on the walk are very narrow, and we have to trail to classes single file. Love, [Fannie] Did Harold ever make those pictures for me? There are three girls left in Phyllis' off-campus house. She is not so crazy about it anymore.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 2/11/20
Text: February 11, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I shall answer your telegram as soon as I go to MaiN. That is an intelligent thing to tell you by letter. I don't know what you mean about the Washington celebration. There is no such thing that I know of. I shall go to New York Friday this week. If it is too hard on me I will not try it again. You can get all the dope about grades from the back of the enclosed report card, Pete. Also, please send the translation of L'Aiglon. That...
Show moreFebruary 11, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I shall answer your telegram as soon as I go to MaiN. That is an intelligent thing to tell you by letter. I don't know what you mean about the Washington celebration. There is no such thing that I know of. I shall go to New York Friday this week. If it is too hard on me I will not try it again. You can get all the dope about grades from the back of the enclosed report card, Pete. Also, please send the translation of L'Aiglon. That is what I read, and our English class decided to study it before Second Hall, so the book will come in very handy. Also send the "Oxford Book of English Verse" if we have it. Of all aweful things, our class want to take up contemporary English poetry. I'm afraid Miss Buck picked out my wants wrong when she put me into that class. I like having Latin in the morning much better, of course. The class is very stupid, however. Miss Bourne tried to be quite friendly. I was reading your telegrahm when she had been discussing marks with me the other night, and I had mentioned that I had gotten a three page letter from my Father congratulating me on having gotten only one A (in connection with the insignificance of marks, and she had thought it a great joke). So this morning she said, "Is that another message of congratulation from you father?" I don't lke the dirtiness of the solid geometries at the book exchange, so I shall order one from Brentanno's and have it charged to you, Mother. I am now in the midst of drying, or rather, letting my hair dry. With Junior Prom on Friday, there is no use in trying to get an appointment with Jane Wilson. Speaking of Prom, Lcuy[sic] told me last night that she had saved a dance in the main prom, that is, Saturday night, that I would be allowed to dance in the vestibule (off from the main hall)! Some few Freshmen are lucky. I am having the -----of a time with drawing figures in Sol Geometry. It took me ten minutes at the board this morning to make anything like a decent figure. Miss Wells was very much amused. I asked her after class how to learn. She told me to build figures with anything I had in my room, toothbrushes, per anything. I have not gotten started on my history topic yet. Love,VASSAR COLLEGE RECORD FOR 1st SEMESTER 1919-1920 Fannie Hamburger Aaron Course Hours Grade English 1 3 c French 29 3 b History 1 3 b Latin 1 3 3 b Mathematics 1 3 a Physical Education 1 b GRADES AND CREDITS a. Markedly excellent; attainable by high ability and hard work. 5 credits for each hour. b. Good; considerably above average. 3 credits for each hour. c. Average. 2 credits for each hour. d. Passable. 1 credit for each hour. e. Not passing; re-examination required. f. Not passing; must be repeated in class to receive credit. Required for Graduation Grade at least: 27 credits for 1st semester. Freshman year. 54 credits through 2d semester. Freshman year. 81 " " 1st " Sophomore year. 108 " " 2d " " " 135 " " 1st " Junior year. 162 " " 2d " " " and a total of from 212 credits for 115 hours to 222 " " 120 " (120 hours required of 1921. CONTINUANCE IN COLLEGE 1. Students who fail to complete 12 hours in the first semester must complete 15 in the second to entitle them to return in the autumn. 2. Students who fail to complete 9 hours in the first semester may not remain for the second. 3. Students who fail to complete 24 hours in the year may not return the following autumn. Fm. 36
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 2/12/20
Text: February 12, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I don't know whether I'll get off at eleven thirty-eight tomorrow or not. Having made all my arrangements, I discovered at noon upon calling for a taxi that they cannor get them out through the heavy snow. I went down to Miss Thallon a few minutes ago, to see if she would let me leave class early, but she is not home. D-----. Nothing exciting happened today, excpet that Mlle. Champy told me that instead of answering "No",...
Show moreFebruary 12, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I don't know whether I'll get off at eleven thirty-eight tomorrow or not. Having made all my arrangements, I discovered at noon upon calling for a taxi that they cannor get them out through the heavy snow. I went down to Miss Thallon a few minutes ago, to see if she would let me leave class early, but she is not home. D-----. Nothing exciting happened today, excpet that Mlle. Champy told me that instead of answering "No", when she asked me a certain question, and ansering it in a tone", Don't bother me", I should work my brain a little. The class just roared, including me. I think her idea is not to let Josephine Marple and me be too well satisfied with ourselves, but it surely was funny. I am now going over to the doctor's office to get my hypo and also find out why they charged me twenty-eight fifty for medical attantion instead of nineteen dollars. I hope you got the night letter all right, Mother. I could not quite get the idea in so much telegraphic communication. Love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 10/19/19
Text: October 19, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It seems to me I have just loads to tell you in about one half hour, so I expect to make about three mistakes to a line. It does not pay to leave out a day of writing. First of all, are you coming next week-end, Father. I should like to know as soon as possible on account of my work. If you come, I don't want to have any on hand. I am overjoyed that Cousin Pauline is coming. If I were desperately homesick, I might feel that way about it....
Show moreOctober 19, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It seems to me I have just loads to tell you in about one half hour, so I expect to make about three mistakes to a line. It does not pay to leave out a day of writing. First of all, are you coming next week-end, Father. I should like to know as soon as possible on account of my work. If you come, I don't want to have any on hand. I am overjoyed that Cousin Pauline is coming. If I were desperately homesick, I might feel that way about it. I won't have any too much time for her, if you come too, Father. You understand that that does not mean that you should not come. Before I forget this--I had a letter from Grandpa Hamburger in answer to one that I wrote them. When i wrote it, I thought how foolilsh it was, since there was nothing to write that I don't write you. Aunt Hattie kept writing that I should not write to them. He starts out by saying, "Patience proved a virtue in finally being awarded a letter from you." He ends up by saying, "Will be very glad to hear from you direct whenever the spirit moves you." Is he hurt or anything like that that I don't write oftener? If so, Aunt Hattie should not have said not to write. What is the matter with Grandpa A.? I wish there were more holidays--I heard from him for New Year's and Yom Kippur. I hate to think of waiting till Hannykah for another letter. IO hope Aunt Laura gets better all right. Give her my love. Is harold working or what is he doing? Tell Aunt Hattie if she feels so inclined and knows a Miss Landon well enough, she should do what she suggests. I expect to have some intercourse with the chem department later in the year, so it may come in handy to know somebody in it. Tell her also to keep on telling me "gossip"--I gues that is what you call it. She always winds up by asking if I am interested. Tell her also that I am getting along very well in advanced French. Friday afternoon I studied a little , and then my good resolution of getting work done flew to the winds. I heard the cheers of the 1921-1923 first quead hockey game, and I went down to help it along. It was too beautiful a day to study. Caroline Fay's mother is here and I met her. You remember her, Mother, the sophomore in the corner next to me. I saw Marion Gratz Friday night. She stopped to ask me how I was getting along with my new advisor. I asked her why I had been changed, not out right, but still in a awy to find out. She said the advisees had been assigned wrong and lots of Juniors who were supposed to get Freshmen got noen, so they had a meeting and those who had four had one taken away. She said she hated to lose me, but they had no choice, also if I was ever around Main and wanted anything or wanted to study there, to come upup to her room. She was really quite nice and awfully human. As to the other advisor, listen and you shall hear! She has a class with Lucy, and she came up to her to ask her is she was taking me to Mohonk, because she was going to New York and she did want me to go, she like me so much. Haha! I surely do like her, too. All those going to Mohonk were served a six-thirty breakfast, but Lucy insisted that we should get breakfast at the lunch counter at the station. My alarm called me at six-fifteen. I had been dreaming about how hot it was, but it was surely bitter cold when we set out. By the way, the clock will do till I come home. It rings fifteen minutes laer than it is set for, but it does that regularly, so it is all right. Do you remember Edith Lowman, Lucy's friend on the third floor here? She was up here Sunday night when you were, and I came back late. I like her very much, anyhow, whether you rmember her or not. Well, Lucy took me and she took Edith Krohn, a Cincinnati girl whom Lucy knows frem camp and whom I consider more of less of a pill. It is too bad she had to pick her, but she did. Well, we got to town before the crowd, got breakfast in five minutes, got down to the ferry, and there the rush started. It was so goggy crossing that we could not see a thing. I wonder if Dr. Goldenson ever found it so on the Hudson. From Highland, the station on the other side, we had a one-hour ride in the streetcar. We were in the third car, and since there are only two conductors we had to wait for another one. Half way up, we lost power. Little things like that don't matter, though, we finally got there. At New Paltz, where we landed about ten, the "barges" were waiting for us. Why on earth they call them that I don't know. They are dilapidated old coaches that seat fifteen people and are drawn by two horses, regularly Janes and Charlies. Some people walked. The trees are gorgeous, as I have said several times before, but they howed up more because it is hillier on that side of the river. We got to Mohonk a little after twelve, and everyone made a grand drive for the dinning-room. They had special Vassar tables and special Vassar menues. I'll send you mine. Please save it for me. I generally don't like hotel food, but goodness, that tasted almost as good as home. What there was on eht menu that was not ordered was not worth mentioning. I suppose the hotel has grown since you were there. It is very beautiful--partly stone and partly wood. It looks a great deal like a castle. Mother, you have seen the lake, so I won't bother describing it. I suppose the fact that it was such a wonderful day made it seem even more beautiful. I'll never knock the East again. I didn't think the East could have as beautiful a summer resort, although the people in the hotel remind me of those in Paso Robles--you remember the man with the peg-leg picked up the book that the woman with the broken arm had dropped. They all look dead and gone--even the young ones seem pepless. I know they don't allow dancing or automobiling, and they have prayers a few times a day, and stunts like that. We passed Mr. Smiley on horseback.Edith and I went rowing, Lucy and Edith K. Went exploring and walked most of the way down, so really the "taking" had very little to do with it. I thought I better not get to gay, because my ankle might get worse and then the doctor would ball me out for not taking her advice about not going. We had a few minutes extra time, so I though just for the fun of it, I would look Mr. and Mrs. Schall up. Of course they were very glad to see me, send their regards, etc. Is Mr. S. losing his mind, getting old and feeble, or is he just plain stupid. It is certainly something like that, or else the quiet peace of Mohonk is affecting them and seeing so many firvolous girls upset their quiet routing. They said they were going driving at two-thirty. I thought that they certainly would not do anything as wild as automobiling, and sure enough, I saw them drive off in a dinkey old buggy. A joy! I did not see the old man from Mt. Hood. We came back the same way as we went up. By making connections with the various cars and ferry we just made chapel. I had had a glorious time, but I was dead tired, so I went to bed immediately after chapel and after reading your letters, including the special, Mother. There was the first meeting of the Students' Association, but I could not do it, and I did not want to start out a new week tired. Just after I had gotten to bed, Lucy's friend Jeanette came up with a big egg sandwich that Lucy had gotten for me off-campus. I had told her not to bother, but it was awefully good. I ate it in the dark, so figive my sins, Lester--I fear me it had some chopped up ham or bacon in it. I slept till almost eight this morning. I worked before chapel, and am writing this letter now to be sure to get it off. When i got back last night there was a note from Miss Cowley saying that she was having her charged to tea, at four this afternoon--if I could not come then to come later. I had intended to work in the library. The preacher this morning was - - McAppine from Madison, N. J. He was the best so far. I could hear him, too. Edith Lowman wants to know if you knew her cousin Alice Eiseman of St. Louis in college. It seems to me I have heard her name from you. I discovered today that we are allowed to play tennis on certain courts on Sundays--an exceedingly broad-minded ruling. There are about a thousand things I must do today, one of them is to write letters. I have not written to any of the kids. I forgot to tell you about the Latin teacher. She was very nice and very glad I came. She gave me the same old line about the difference in standards in highschool and at college. She also said that I showed good solid preparation, there there was room for improvement that she was sure would come. She pointed out that the mistakes on the prose paper were not serious. She gave me C on that and on the sight prose. She gave twoB minuses, two C pluses, six C's, and all the rest lower. Some marking! She said most of my translations were better than C, I am very glad I went to her. Mother, I think the notes are with the college board exames on the right side as you go into the den. If not they are in the bottom part of the hand-kerchief case on the chiffonier in my room, with the report cards. If not in those two places, they may be with notebooks in the drawer of my confirmation book-case. It really will not matter very much if you don't find them. I am sure Miss Breene will send them to Phyllis. I don't believe there is anything else to tell you just now. Love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 2/18/20
Text: [Addressed to Mother @ Hotel Royal Poinciana] February 18, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am sorry that I did not get time to write a letter yesterday, but I was working on my history topic until four-ten, so I hurried over to the Post-Office in time to write postcards. I wanted to have all the book materials, in case you should plan to meet me in New York, that I would be able to finish it up without the use of the library. Your telegram came last evening. I answered it by night...
Show more[Addressed to Mother @ Hotel Royal Poinciana] February 18, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am sorry that I did not get time to write a letter yesterday, but I was working on my history topic until four-ten, so I hurried over to the Post-Office in time to write postcards. I wanted to have all the book materials, in case you should plan to meet me in New York, that I would be able to finish it up without the use of the library. Your telegram came last evening. I answered it by night letter. As far as I know I can spend the week-end with you, but unless a great deal of the show should melt, the earliest train I could catch Friday would be the one-nine. I am going to New York Saturday morning. President McCracken's lecture was very good yesterday, but I don't think he is a finished speaker by a long shot, in fact, he struck me as laboring a great deal over what he was trying to say. He spoke on the "Value of Being a Contemporary", but more intelligibly known as the "Value of Studying Literary History". My Miss Thallon is in the Infirm, so we had a cut yesterday, but Miss Ellory is going to take us today. She is supposed to be a wonder. I am glad of a chance to hear her in class. Father, I am very sorry that the mail is irregular, or whatever the trouble is. I have written every day, a special on Saturday, excpet Friday, when I did not have time to write, but Aunt Besside promised to drop you a postcard. Also, I did not know you were going to Philadelphia, where your telegram was from. I had not the slightest idea where to reach you there, so I telegraphed to Pittsburgh. Love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 3-May
Text: The drug-store packages always come with regular mail so don't bother the 10� to send [them special]

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 3/4/20
Text: [Addressed to Hotel Ambassador] March 4, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: This letter cannot be very long, as I have to beat if over to the infirmary. I was a little late yesterday, and Miss Herndon almost killed me. She surely has an angelic disposition. I went to song practice before lunch. The Freshmen play their first basketball game tomorrow. French class was interessting this morning, for the first time in a long time. We discussed Chateuabriand's "Atala", and all of...
Show more[Addressed to Hotel Ambassador] March 4, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: This letter cannot be very long, as I have to beat if over to the infirmary. I was a little late yesterday, and Miss Herndon almost killed me. She surely has an angelic disposition. I went to song practice before lunch. The Freshmen play their first basketball game tomorrow. French class was interessting this morning, for the first time in a long time. We discussed Chateuabriand's "Atala", and all of us felt a wild desire to defend the American Indian against Mlle. Champy. We discussed "L'Aiglon" in English today. That also is very interesting. Second Hall is Saturday, but the Freshmen who have no guests go the dress rehearsal tomorrow night. It is going to be wonderful. I was intelligent in Math this morning. It reminded me of old times in Unie's class. After I leave the infirmary, I am going over to see Phyllis. She told me to come up while she packed this afternoon. I'll see what is up. I had an aweful lot to do yesterday, but I finished much more quickly than I expected, so that I got to bed by ten. I would have done that anyhow, only I had expected to have to get up at six this morning. How I envy these people who work night after night till one o'clock for the committees of Second Hall, and come to classes perfectly wide awake. I am sorry the first postal took so long to reach you, also very sorry that I caused you any anxiety. Helen Reid and I took a walk out into the country yesterday afternoon. It was very enjoyable, but very slushy. Love,[enc w/ 4 March 1920] Dear Mother, The doctor told me to keep on with the douches, but can't I stop? They make it so painful to go to the toilet, infact tehy[sic] are irritating, if anything. Besides which, they take up so much time for no good. Also, there is no use bluffing about myself--it is quite painful. Therefore I would appreciate knowing as early as possible after your interview whether or not I am to come home soon. Would you mind telegraphine that answer. I don't suppose there would be anything said that would hurt to be in a telegram. I did not go about chapel, because next Sunday is town Synday[sic], and it probably will be my last Sunday before vacation. Love,Mother Mother Mother Mother Mother Mother
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 3/7/20
Text: March 7, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have a feeling that this is going to be a very exciting letter. I fooled most of yesterday--I was too sleepy to get anything done as a result of the night before. I wrote some letters, did some work, and slept most of the afternoon. I read French all morning today. That puts me at least one day ahead in preparation, and probably two. I am now going to the Libe to do some religious tabulation for the end of the sixteenth century. Speaking of...
Show moreMarch 7, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have a feeling that this is going to be a very exciting letter. I fooled most of yesterday--I was too sleepy to get anything done as a result of the night before. I wrote some letters, did some work, and slept most of the afternoon. I read French all morning today. That puts me at least one day ahead in preparation, and probably two. I am now going to the Libe to do some religious tabulation for the end of the sixteenth century. Speaking of good Christians, you never sent me Meyerovitz's letter, Pete. I have an aweful English theme to write today yet. I am going to get as much ahead as possible with my work today, so that the week will not be so rushed. I am anxious to hear what I am to do with myself after this week. I think I'll try my luck with Miss Landon later in the afternoon. Love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 2/21/20
Text: February 21, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am somewhat sleepy, at least it looks that way, for I had to ask Helen Reid what month it was! I just returned from the libe hwere[sic] I did my English Speech. It gives promise of being most uninteresting. I am going snowshoeing seventh hour. I have never tried my luck at it, but it is time to start. Aunt Bessie wanted to know if I wanted a pair, but I thought I had better see if I would be able to manipulate them first. Miss Thallon is...
Show moreFebruary 21, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am somewhat sleepy, at least it looks that way, for I had to ask Helen Reid what month it was! I just returned from the libe hwere[sic] I did my English Speech. It gives promise of being most uninteresting. I am going snowshoeing seventh hour. I have never tried my luck at it, but it is time to start. Aunt Bessie wanted to know if I wanted a pair, but I thought I had better see if I would be able to manipulate them first. Miss Thallon is still sick!!!! Miss Ellory took our class yesterday, and she is certainly a wonder. I want to take a course under her next year. Incidentally, our elections have to be in by Spring vacation. It is time for me to start studying the catalogue. You might do likewise, if there is an time hanging heavily on your hands! We have been reading Mme. De Stael's "Corinne" for the last two weeks, and I am getting rather sick of discussing it in class, so today, when we had read her impressions of Venice and Champy asked if any of us had been there, I broke the monotony a little by disagreeing with Mme. de Stael. It amused old Champy very much. Poor me in Math--Miss Wells sent me to the board again this morning. I am hopeless, but so is the rest of the class. She had to put the planes in in colored chalk, before I could see them. We have a quizz on Monday. I am certainly sorry I cannot have your visit, Pete, but your two "ifs" were quite conclusive. We had a sight translation test in Latin yesterday. I was none too potent, as you would say, Pete. We were reseated in chapel last night. I have the last seat in the corner [gallery] in chapel, ideal for sleeping. A Sunday morning preacher is all I need to perfect the atmosphere. We voted at our groupe meeting last night to accept Colgate's challenge to debate. I admit Princeton would sound better to me. Otherwise nothing new. Wishing you the same, [Fannie] Room-drawing is after Spring vacation. I think I'll keep mine, unless I change my mind. I can still have a draw after sophomore year, if I don't take one this year.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1/26/20
Text: January 26, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I cannot say that your telegram yesterday afternoon made me feel particularly easy. I did not think you would be calling up just to make conversation. I do hope Grandpa is getting along all right. I went to Miss Smith after lunch to find out how much truth there is in the rumor that we will not allowed to go to New York or to see parents or friends who come up here by way of New York. She said she was afraid there was a good deal of truth in...
Show moreJanuary 26, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I cannot say that your telegram yesterday afternoon made me feel particularly easy. I did not think you would be calling up just to make conversation. I do hope Grandpa is getting along all right. I went to Miss Smith after lunch to find out how much truth there is in the rumor that we will not allowed to go to New York or to see parents or friends who come up here by way of New York. She said she was afraid there was a good deal of truth in it. I then asked her about my doctor's excuse, and she said I would have to speak to Dr. T., that she would let me go if she thought it was wise. Miss Smith was very nice about it. I shall go over now and see what is doing. Just when i had finished talking to Miss S. I got a telegram from Aunt Bessie saying that you called up on Sunday saying I was to come there Wednesday, when and where should she meet me? I will have to telegraph her as soon as I know. I got a letter from Jeanette today, in which she gave me freshman encouragement. In accordance with the ancient Vassar custom we collected our freshman flock in the soap palace and marched down to Taylor Hall and around to Rockie chanting a Latin dirge, prior to taking the exam, only in our case it consisten of "Veni, vidi, mortua sum". The exam was not particularly hard, but quite long. There was a sight passage, a prose passage, and a prepared translation passage. My head was quite clogged up. I still have some French to do and quite a little history. Love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 2/7/20
Text: February 7, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Your letter from Philadelphia came this morning, also yours of the third, Mother. I have eight hypos left, and have not yet heard from Dr. X. Anne Halliday, one of the finest girls in our class, was flunked out. She was the only Freshman sent to Des Moines in Christmas vacation. She entered with two conditions. The freshman and some upperclassmen sent a petition to the dean asking to let her stay. Clifford Sellers went to see Mis McCaleb with...
Show moreFebruary 7, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Your letter from Philadelphia came this morning, also yours of the third, Mother. I have eight hypos left, and have not yet heard from Dr. X. Anne Halliday, one of the finest girls in our class, was flunked out. She was the only Freshman sent to Des Moines in Christmas vacation. She entered with two conditions. The freshman and some upperclassmen sent a petition to the dean asking to let her stay. Clifford Sellers went to see Mis McCaleb with the same idea. Miss McCaleb said she would not be playing fair either to the college or the girl to let her stay, and insasmuch as she had two conditions on entrance it was out of the question--that a girl is not flunked out on character, but on scholarship. She went to Madeira prep school four years, and is now twenty. She is going back there, and try to enter next year an an unconditioned freshman. The beans are spilled in Latin. Miss Bourne told me to stay after class yesterday. it was to inform me that my B was a very high B, and with just a little effort on my one fault I would undoubtedly get an A this semester, that she realized that my health had interfered with my work! The one fault is that I don't translate with enough grace, that my translation does not sound as good in English as the original Latin. Undoubtedly. I then told her about the change in schedule and the reason. She said that would never do, that as far as the classes were concerned she could take better care of me in the morning because there were fewer in the class, but her personal interest in me prompted her to make the following speech. There are some good pupils in the morning class, but many very, very, poor ones. The class I am in is very, very good. I may not be able to see it now, but she from experience assures me that I will regret it if I don't take prose. It helps in sight translation. She thinks it is a grave mistake, and she hates to see me do it. I should please reconsider. I don't know what I'll do. She knows about it more than I do, and she was so firmly convinced. I had looked forward to going to New York on Friday afternoons and coming back the same night. I hate to miss the Saturday evening things. It makes me so mad, once when I decided a thing and fixed it all up so quickly. Father, I am very sorry--I forgot the special yesterday. love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 5/2/20
Text: Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Yesterday surely was a perfect day for celebration. The baseball game was a circus. I could not have played as well as those girls without a great deal of practice, but then they have been practicing for a long time. The playing was funny enough in itself, but the cheering from the audience was the funniest. As a senior said who was sitting below me, "It's the one chance during the year that we have of expressing our true spirit of impudence."...
Show moreDear Mother, Father, and Pete: Yesterday surely was a perfect day for celebration. The baseball game was a circus. I could not have played as well as those girls without a great deal of practice, but then they have been practicing for a long time. The playing was funny enough in itself, but the cheering from the audience was the funniest. As a senior said who was sitting below me, "It's the one chance during the year that we have of expressing our true spirit of impudence." The only women of the faculty who played were Miss Thallon--and she was punk--(she ought to to have sense enough to know when she is old enough to quit)--Kate McKnight '19, and Miss Jones of the chemistry department. Prexy played, and he surely was funny. He fell all over himself, and looked like a cat chasing its tail. Once he was running from third base to home plate, he got half way and decided he had better go back, turned around, and in running back to third, stopped to pick up a hair-pin and wave it to the audience. Another time he slid playing first base, and fell, and the girl running jumped over him, whereupon the college cheered "It is easier to get over Prexy than to get around him." Mrs. McCracken was sitting right above the cheer-leader the whole time, and the latter was very much worried at times that we would sing things that were too strong, so Mrs. McC. said, "You ought to get a book of the proprieties". Prexy pulled off a play that was pretty good, so they hollered, "This is easier than leading chapel". I don't suppose there things sound funny to you, but if you had heard them, they surely would have. They had no mercy for anyone. Miss Thallon was not running--she had hurt her ankle--so the others took turn about running for her. They hollered at her, "How many people does it take to carry Miss T. home?" They also asked her where her pretty hat was, when she was shading her eyes. When Professor Fite who is noting for his preaching ability, asked the girl on second whom he put out, some question, they called to him, "Don't preach her a sermon, Fitey". But the joke of the whole performance was the young assistant in the chemistry department, just out of college. He really made the faculty's team. I think they must have hollered at him at least wice[sic] a minute, and one thing was better than the other. You know they commonly call him Apollo. As he was running, that called to him, "Watch Apollo climb Olympus". I don't think I have ever seen anyone quite so fussed". If I were a man I wouldn't teach in a women's college on a bet. There were plenty more good ones, but you would not appreciate them! Last night there was a representation of an old time Founder's Day in Students. it was very good also. Professor Baldwin represented I mean, Impersonated, Matthew Vassar. Ethel Litchfield sang a song "popular among young ladies in the nineteenth century". Then there were speeches by "stuendents", dealing principally with the proper courses in the curriculum, and woman's place in society. Of course they were highly amusing. The old fashioned dances were also very good, and the costumes were spendid. After that there was dancing. I watched it for almost an hour, and then came home. I really don't know which would have been easier--to watch it or go home before it started. It is raining today. I slept quite late, then took the mathquiz. I am going over to give it to Miss Wells now. I do hope you can comeMother. You said when I left home that you were coming in a few weeks anyhow, and that is why I was so anxious for you to come when you would enjoy it most. I don't want to make you rush and tire yourself out by coming. I expect to know by your letter of this afternoon whether you will come or not. Is Father coming up when you go to New York. I hope so. I forgot this letter of Marin's the other day. I am also enclosing the program of Founder's Day. Please save it for me. I am going to finish the English theme this afternoon or bust. I don't seem to able to work nearly as fast or as long at a time as I used to. By the way, there is a girl here now who stopped last year the end of April and took her exams the following fall. She said she got good marks in them, but it is no fun having them hang over you. I am still at Metcalf. This bad weather makes me feel so punk that I know I am better off over here, however, little fun it may be. Love, [Fannie] May 2 1920.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 2/11/20
Text: February 11, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I shall answer your telegram as soon as I go to MaiN. That is an intelligent thing to tell you by letter. I don't know what you mean about the Washington celebration. There is no such thing that I know of. I shall go to New York Friday this week. If it is too hard on me I will not try it again. You can get all the dope about grades from the back of the enclosed report card, Pete. Also, please send the translation of L'Aiglon. That...
Show moreFebruary 11, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I shall answer your telegram as soon as I go to MaiN. That is an intelligent thing to tell you by letter. I don't know what you mean about the Washington celebration. There is no such thing that I know of. I shall go to New York Friday this week. If it is too hard on me I will not try it again. You can get all the dope about grades from the back of the enclosed report card, Pete. Also, please send the translation of L'Aiglon. That is what I read, and our English class decided to study it before Second Hall, so the book will come in very handy. Also send the "Oxford Book of English Verse" if we have it. Of all aweful things, our class want to take up contemporary English poetry. I'm afraid Miss Buck picked out my wants wrong when she put me into that class. I like having Latin in the morning much better, of course. The class is very stupid, however. Miss Bourne tried to be quite friendly. I was reading your telegrahm when she had been discussing marks with me the other night, and I had mentioned that I had gotten a three page letter from my Father congratulating me on having gotten only one A (in connection with the insignificance of marks, and she had thought it a great joke). So this morning she said, "Is that another message of congratulation from you father?" I don't lke the dirtiness of the solid geometries at the book exchange, so I shall order one from Brentanno's and have it charged to you, Mother. I am now in the midst of drying, or rather, letting my hair dry. With Junior Prom on Friday, there is no use in trying to get an appointment with Jane Wilson. Speaking of Prom, Lcuy[sic] told me last night that she had saved a dance in the main prom, that is, Saturday night, that I would be allowed to dance in the vestibule (off from the main hall)! Some few Freshmen are lucky. I am having the -----of a time with drawing figures in Sol Geometry. It took me ten minutes at the board this morning to make anything like a decent figure. Miss Wells was very much amused. I asked her after class how to learn. She told me to build figures with anything I had in my room, toothbrushes, per anything. I have not gotten started on my history topic yet. Love,
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 3/2/20
Text: Addressed to Hotel Ambassador] February, no March 2, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I just noticed that my calendar is still set for November. I guess that explains my frequent inaccuracies. I am very sorry to have forgotten telegraphing yesterday. The reason is this. As I said on my postcard yesterday, I did not get out here and to bed until eleven. Incidentally, Lucy got in ahead of us. I had four classes, lunch, and then I lay down, supposedly for a few minutes. I went to sleep and...
Show moreAddressed to Hotel Ambassador] February, no March 2, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I just noticed that my calendar is still set for November. I guess that explains my frequent inaccuracies. I am very sorry to have forgotten telegraphing yesterday. The reason is this. As I said on my postcard yesterday, I did not get out here and to bed until eleven. Incidentally, Lucy got in ahead of us. I had four classes, lunch, and then I lay down, supposedly for a few minutes. I went to sleep and slept soundly till three o'clock. I was quite dead, and my insides felt very badly, consequently it was not time wasted. Then my Josselyn friend came up to get me to go out and fool with her. The result was that I completely forgot about telegraphing to you. I am very sorry, Baby Father. Evidently the discovery she made about me did not influence her. I went back to Josselyn with her for dinner. I kept my eyes open, by the way, to look the crowd in the dining-room over. They did not look any better to me than the bunch here, which was very gratifying. This girl has a fourth floor room. All the rooms of that floor in the hall are singles. I do not like it as well as mine, in spite of the fact that it is in the famous Josselyn. It is quite a little larger, but the ceiling seems lower, and in half of it is an alcove shape, and there is no loft above, so I imagine it gets very hot in summer. She has decided to stay there, I think. Our next English recitation we discuss L'Aiglon. For today I labored over the hardest English assignment I have had all year. A week ago Miss Kitchel announced that a theme was due on a comparison of any two poems of Arnold and Swineburne. My difficulty lay in not being able to find any two with much to compare in them. I got to class, (I had finished it one minute before I got there), and found that she had forgotten about that assignment and did not expect us to have them ready. Miss Champy had the goodness to say this morning that Jo. Marple and I had done our work for today, but no one else had. I am glad she does not think that I have gone completely to the bed. There is a huge assignment for Thursday, so If I do not write much for the next letter, you will know why. Lucy asked me today about engaging a drawing-room for vacation, and I told her what I would probably do, but to keep mum about it until I knew. I ate lunch with her in Raymond. I have not seen her for ages, and I do not want her to think that I only come up to her when I need her. I have told you how most of the Jewish girls stick together, but what happened there caps the climax (I don't know if that is what I want to say, but I have not time to change it). She went over to a table where there were six other Jewish girls, and no others! By the time the meanl[sic] started there were two others, such as they were. The less said on that subject the better.My math for tomorrow took five munutes[sic]. I really don't know what is the matter. I just came back from the infirmary, where I had to wait around for quite a while. The nurse got very impudent. I asked her, quite decently, to follow two of the directions Dr. F. gave me Saturday. I saw her start to boil, and then when she had reached 212 degrees, she said that she had never had anybody dictate to her before. I minute later she apologized and said that she got sore without any reason. It is a beautiful day. I shall try to get some company for a walk now. My laundry came today, special at that. It is in a telescope that looks like one of Lester's. It is busted on the side! Love,Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Aaron, % Hotel Ambassador, Atlantic City, N. J.P. O. Box 882, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 2/22/20
Text: February 22, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Seven letters from the family is not a bad number to recieve in one mail. I did considerable loafing yesterday, and finished all my topic except writing the conclusion. I certainly was sorry to hear the bad news about Aimee. It is too bad. I know the Rosenbaum of whom you speak, Pete. She has more than Ethical Culture written on her face. She lives in Mian. Tryouts for the French Club play start Wednesday. I shall try my luck. We had a math...
Show moreFebruary 22, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Seven letters from the family is not a bad number to recieve in one mail. I did considerable loafing yesterday, and finished all my topic except writing the conclusion. I certainly was sorry to hear the bad news about Aimee. It is too bad. I know the Rosenbaum of whom you speak, Pete. She has more than Ethical Culture written on her face. She lives in Mian. Tryouts for the French Club play start Wednesday. I shall try my luck. We had a math quizz this morning. It was not hard. I had a very embarassing, also a very annoying thing happen to me yesterday. A Freshman from Josselyn whom I like very much, came up to see me yesterday afternoon. In the course of our conversation, we happened to mention a girl who moved out of a double in Raymond to a single in Main. She and her roommate always seemed quite devoted to each other, and I though it was very funny that she should move out. Her roommate is a Jewish roommate, but even so they always went around together. The girl who was up here volunteered the information that Harriet liked her roommate very much personally, but she realized that her friends were not Doris' friends, inasmuch as Doris was a Jewess. It sounds funny now, but it was not funny when she said it. She seemed waiting for me to assent, and I felt duty-bound to tell the girl that I was one of those people who have horns, too; (I did not use those words, though). She was very fussed, and patched it up as well as she could. Good heavens, people must be stupid. They certainly ought to be able to tell by looking at me, and certainly by my name. It is funny now, it was most annoying then. Otherwise there is nothing new. Love, I spoke to Dr. Baldwin today. She will arrange for me to have the treatment Dr. F. wants. It will take at least two hours every day. I certainly hope it will do me some good--nothing else has. He is writing a letter asking to have me excused from gym. This twise daily affair will absolutely keep me away from the girls all the time. No wonder I don't get to know people as well and as quickly as others.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 5/25/20
Text: May 25, 1920 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am still sleepy. In fact, it seems hard to remember when i haven't been. I voted for the thre big changes at the Studnet's[sic] meeting last night. They are:--student control of census ratings and all non-academic activity of students below grade, student control of regulations and decorum off-campus (practically all of field now covered by the wardens), and voluntary attendance at classes, involving some sort of a cut system. They all...
Show moreMay 25, 1920 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am still sleepy. In fact, it seems hard to remember when i haven't been. I voted for the thre big changes at the Studnet's[sic] meeting last night. They are:--student control of census ratings and all non-academic activity of students below grade, student control of regulations and decorum off-campus (practically all of field now covered by the wardens), and voluntary attendance at classes, involving some sort of a cut system. They all carried practically unanimously. They are to go before the faculty, and, if approved, be subject to a two year trial. I am for them in theory more than in practice. I think the chances are that with added responsibility on our own shoulders our own student rules would be be even as strict, if not stricter, than the wardens' rules. However, I think that what has kept Vassar standards higher than those of the other colleges has been the fact that girls under grade are not allowed to participate in any non-academic activities, limited week-ends, etc. I do believe in giving unrestricted student government a chance, but I hope that it will not mean a lowering of standards. Miss Kitchel made a good-bye speech to us this morning, in spit of the fact that she said she did not believe in them. It seems to be a pet trick for the faculty to tell their classes to think of them, not as teachers, but as friends. That is one thing here that has surprised me particulary. I thought all the instructors would be the old-maid, personality-less variety of my Latin teacher, and it certainly is not that way. They are all so human and full of fun; e. g. Miss Thallon! We had a cut in history today, in return for which we are required to go to Professor Roselli's lecture on Cavour this afternoon. It brings up in my mind recollections of the beds in a certain hotel in Milan. I got a complete list of the books read and work covered in French 7-8 in the office of the committee on admission. For additional information I am to see Miss White next Wednesday. The French department certainly does not give you anything without your working for it. It seems to me that they are over-doing it in this case, though. Taking an exam the equivalent of their course and then taking an advanced course and getting what would have been an A if it had not been the instructor's first year in America! Champy returned about a dozen compositions to us, all of which were [written] sometime in the last six months. I tried an experiment once, which I neglected to write to you. I wrote a very superficial essay on Quatre-Vingt-Treize and then I wrote a two hour one on the next book we read. The first took twenty minutes. I got a B on both. There is the value of marks. Incidentally, I got a B on every single paper she returned. She is a queer one, all right. I did Latin all yesterday afternoon. I finished the Ovid review. Love,Mother, I think Mullaly said she would have the room for you until Friday, June fourth (inclusive). I do not remember whether she said till Saturday morning or not. She is taken after that, I mean all her rooms are engaged. If you don't come, it would be best for you to write to her yourself, as I would not have the nerve to break a reservation a third time. The skirt materials look alll right to me. Evidently you did not approve of the idea of having one flannel one, or something different from the regulation. There look very pretty, though. My bowels are all right. They were not for a little while, but I have gotten them into pretty good shape again. That is, I still have to take the vegetable pills. I think I would like to have a cot in my room next year. I lost my chance on a good second-hand one. Would you rather have me have a new one? I will not try to get a second hand one until I hear from you on the subject. Love,
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 15-May
Text: May 14. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Life is not particularly interesting these days. Pretty soon it will be, when I get back to the "Younk lady" gentleman. I seem to stay more or less the same, which is something to be thankful for, but I do get sick of it every now and then. It is pouring this afternoon--because Field Day is scheduled for tomorrow and because Third Hall is scheduled for tomorrow night. I saw Miss White for a minute this morning. I am not exempt from the second...
Show moreMay 14. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Life is not particularly interesting these days. Pretty soon it will be, when I get back to the "Younk lady" gentleman. I seem to stay more or less the same, which is something to be thankful for, but I do get sick of it every now and then. It is pouring this afternoon--because Field Day is scheduled for tomorrow and because Third Hall is scheduled for tomorrow night. I saw Miss White for a minute this morning. I am not exempt from the second year modern language requirement. I am to see her further next week. The only thing, I guess, that will exempt me from it is an exam on French seven and eight. I handed in my elections this morning. I will have Miss Wells, because my chemisty comes the hour Pap White has that math. I went over to Miss Cowley's and camped outside her foor for three quarters of an hour until she should come. She said she would be there right after chapel. One of her advisees told me today that she would not sign her card until she elected math, and the girl did not want to take it. Is not that ridiculous? She is going to write to the dean's office this summer and ask to have her elections changed, telling them why she elected math! I met Mary Heckel in Miss Cowley's room last night. She said she had been intending all semester to look me up, that she had been told to do so. She may be all right, but she did not look particularly good to me. Of course my first judgments are generally wrong anyhow. I had to give a two minute speech in Expressional English this morning. The class had to write criticisms, and then give them to the objects of their attack. Mine were mostly favorable! I orated on Florence Nightingale, inasmuch as it was apropos at the time. Miss Bourne told us all the Latin that we had to do for the exam. We surely will be held responsible for just abot twice as much as last semester. I spoke to Miss Mullaly yesterday. She can take you from June third to June fifth (Friday). They are sold out for Commencemtn. I also got a Commencemtn program. It does not interest me particularly. If I stay it is so that you can come to your reunion. Do exactly as you please about it, but if you want to come, please do. The Vassarion is out. But I believe I said so yesterday. It gives last year's daisy chain, among many other things. Carolyn Bailey was in it. Excuse me for asking if you read the books, Pete. I thought
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 2/7/20
Text: February 7, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Your letter from Philadelphia came this morning, also yours of the third, Mother. I have eight hypos left, and have not yet heard from Dr. X. Anne Halliday, one of the finest girls in our class, was flunked out. She was the only Freshman sent to Des Moines in Christmas vacation. She entered with two conditions. The freshman and some upperclassmen sent a petition to the dean asking to let her stay. Clifford Sellers went to see Mis McCaleb with...
Show moreFebruary 7, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Your letter from Philadelphia came this morning, also yours of the third, Mother. I have eight hypos left, and have not yet heard from Dr. X. Anne Halliday, one of the finest girls in our class, was flunked out. She was the only Freshman sent to Des Moines in Christmas vacation. She entered with two conditions. The freshman and some upperclassmen sent a petition to the dean asking to let her stay. Clifford Sellers went to see Mis McCaleb with the same idea. Miss McCaleb said she would not be playing fair either to the college or the girl to let her stay, and insasmuch as she had two conditions on entrance it was out of the question--that a girl is not flunked out on character, but on scholarship. She went to Madeira prep school four years, and is now twenty. She is going back there, and try to enter next year an an unconditioned freshman. The beans are spilled in Latin. Miss Bourne told me to stay after class yesterday. it was to inform me that my B was a very high B, and with just a little effort on my one fault I would undoubtedly get an A this semester, that she realized that my health had interfered with my work! The one fault is that I don't translate with enough grace, that my translation does not sound as good in English as the original Latin. Undoubtedly. I then told her about the change in schedule and the reason. She said that would never do, that as far as the classes were concerned she could take better care of me in the morning because there were fewer in the class, but her personal interest in me prompted her to make the following speech. There are some good pupils in the morning class, but many very, very, poor ones. The class I am in is very, very good. I may not be able to see it now, but she from experience assures me that I will regret it if I don't take prose. It helps in sight translation. She thinks it is a grave mistake, and she hates to see me do it. I should please reconsider. I don't know what I'll do. She knows about it more than I do, and she was so firmly convinced. I had looked forward to going to New York on Friday afternoons and coming back the same night. I hate to miss the Saturday evening things. It makes me so mad, once when I decided a thing and fixed it all up so quickly. Father, I am very sorry--I forgot the special yesterday. love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 9/30/19
Text: Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: The tea set came today. I have not yet unpacked it. The books also came from Brentanno's. They are exactly what I wanted. Nothing much new to report today. I played hockey yesterday afternoon, but as there were more candidates than there was room for, I got a chance to play for only one-half hour. I shall play again today at one-fourty-five, and after that a bit of tennis. I have to play off my match of the Freshman tournament before Sunday, and since I...
Show moreDear Mother, Father, and Pete: The tea set came today. I have not yet unpacked it. The books also came from Brentanno's. They are exactly what I wanted. Nothing much new to report today. I played hockey yesterday afternoon, but as there were more candidates than there was room for, I got a chance to play for only one-half hour. I shall play again today at one-fourty-five, and after that a bit of tennis. I have to play off my match of the Freshman tournament before Sunday, and since I cannot play Saturday and you're not allowed to play Sunday, it will have to be very soon. I don't know the girl yet that I am to play. It was not nerve for me to sign up, because all you have to know is how to hold a racket, so the bulletin reads. The hockey went much better yesterday. It is loads of fun, and good exercise, too. I studied last night, and then about nine we had a sort of party, consisting of chocolate and crackers, in the English girls room. Our dinners are substantial enough, but if I don't get to be overly early, I am so hungry that I eat before I go to bed. Perhaps that is a bad habit. It does not make me mak speeches, though, the way Louis did. Miss Thallon sprained her ankle the other day. We had no classes today, therefore. Everybody was saying, "oh, I'm sorry she sprained her ankle, but I'm glad of it, too." I thought possibly I'd get some work done then, but I met a Freshman from strong that I like and she staid around here most of the hour. My room makes quite a hit with every-body. It does with me, too, for that matter. Did I tell you that I passed Miss Smith's door the other day when she and some one of the faculty were having tea, and she insisted on my coming in, too! Pete, don't be too fussy if my letters are undated and unsigned. They have to get off in time for the mail, you know. You always know who write them, and they are post-marked, so what more do you want? Mother, I am taking the medicine as near time as I can. I need it. My food supply has not run out yet, but I will replenish it as soon as it does. The trunks have not been taken from the fourth floor yet. I should like to have seen you when Nick Glick gave you the Glick welcome, Mother. You know he calls cousin Amelia Mother Cohen--he might have tried that on you, too.Mother, my clock keeps good time, but the alarm does not go off when it should. I hate to send it to you before I get another. I hate to be without one. Could you send me one, and then have me send this one back to you? I am gradually getting more used to the work--thank goodness. Otherwise nothing new. Are you coming Sunday, Pete? I hope so. Love, I Was over in North this morning. I should hate to live there. Sept. 30. 1919.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1/27/20
Text: [Addressed to mother @ Hotel Royal Poinciana] January 27, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: After I wrote to you yesterday afternoon I paid my customary call at the doctor's office, and asked Dr. B. if there was any chance of being allowed to go to N. Y. for my treatment, that Miss Smith had sent me to her to find out. She said, no, not unless I did not want to come back to college. Finally, she said she would give me permission to go and come back immediately, if it was absolutely...
Show more[Addressed to mother @ Hotel Royal Poinciana] January 27, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: After I wrote to you yesterday afternoon I paid my customary call at the doctor's office, and asked Dr. B. if there was any chance of being allowed to go to N. Y. for my treatment, that Miss Smith had sent me to her to find out. She said, no, not unless I did not want to come back to college. Finally, she said she would give me permission to go and come back immediately, if it was absolutely necessary, but she did not advise it al all. She seemed thouroughly convinced I would come back with flu. she then decided that I should communicate with Dr. F. and if he thought it was important enough, then after listening to Dr. T, expound in chapel, i should go to Dr. T for permission. So I proceeded to call Aunt Bessie by long distance. I told her to tell the doctor all the particulars, and telegraph me his answerso that I would have it before chapel. The answer came from Dr. F. himself, "Get permit to keep appointment with me on Thursday". I met Helen and Duffie on my way back from McGlynn's at five fourty-five and they induced me to go off campus with them. Considering that it was the first time since October and that I was hungry as a bear and the porspect of a good meal appealed to me, I went and enjoyed it immensely, but for some strange reason I just got back in time to have the chapel doors closed on me. I had the cut to spare, but I wanted to hear what Dr. T. had to say. Instead I got the information from several others. She urged and begged that we should not leave college, and after she urged a while, she said that permission would not be granted except in very urgent cases. As far as I have made out today, the wardens will absolutely not grant them without first sending the girls to the doctor. I went to Dr. T. last night, and she said my warden had full charge. The telegram from the doctor did the work with Miss Smith and I got permission to go for the day on Thursday. There was much excitement last night, and the messenger room was jammed. I sent you a night letter, and I expect an answer today. I wrote to Aunt Bessie. There will be plenty of doing to make life interesting. There will be a good lecture, and there will be the ice carnival that had to be postponed last week on account of bad weather. The French exam was what is known as comprehensive. The first question was, "What was the influence of the salons on the seventeenth century novel? and the second question was, "Outline the development of the novel in the eighteenth century, giving tendencies of the important works of each novelist". I could have worded it one better, "Write all you have learned this semester". I have to study hard for the history exam now. I shall try my best to have the station reserve a parlor car seat for me for Thursday morning. We are not allowed to town.Mrs. Marcus Aaron, Mr. Phillip Hamburger, Hotel Royal Poinciana, Palm Beach, Florida.P. 0. Box 882, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1/22/20
Text: January 22, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: You should not make fun of me, Pete, because I make a fuss that Miss Thallon calls me by my first name. She did it last evening again! And I'll mention it even if you do object. I enjoyed that much more than Mr. Vanderlip's lecture, for instance. Incidentally, for the rest of my Freshman year I intend to swear off anything too deep for my childish brains. Pete, please don't be shocked. I saw last year's history exam today....
Show moreJanuary 22, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: You should not make fun of me, Pete, because I make a fuss that Miss Thallon calls me by my first name. She did it last evening again! And I'll mention it even if you do object. I enjoyed that much more than Mr. Vanderlip's lecture, for instance. Incidentally, for the rest of my Freshman year I intend to swear off anything too deep for my childish brains. Pete, please don't be shocked. I saw last year's history exam today. It is very general and consists of what is termed "thinking", not memory, questions. I forgot to tell you yesterday that I made A- on the math quiz, (spelled with one z). The careless mistakes counted for the minus. As I was chasing off last night to get a book that I had signed up for five-thirty until seven-thirty I passed Miss Thallon in the hall, and that is when she called me by my first name again, Fannie, that is, not Miss Aaron, but Fannie, she told me when she called me by my first name that she marked my paper the first thing Saturday morning, and it was very fine indeed. I asked her which she meant, the quiz of the topic, and she said both. She said the topic was rather full in places and could have been condensed, but it was good and showed intelligent reading and work. I asked her what I got on them, and she said, "I gave you an A on the written lesson and a B plus on the topic." My exclamation of delight made her ask me if I was pleased. The fourth floor will testify to that. One of them asked me if history was one of the subjects I was going to flunk out on. Considering the circumstances under which I did the topic, I am tickled with the mark, although B plus would satisfy me even under favorable working conditions. I belong to the ten o'clock club, an institution in Davison which binds every member to be in bed by ten o'clock until exams are over or pay the enormous fine of five cents an hour. They won't make any money on me. The fines will go to pay for a club feed or part of a sleigh-ride. I finished my math review and shall finish the Latin and most of the English today. I think it is quite disgusting that we should have to use our early morning energy on hygiene and then take the English exam immediately afterwards. There certainly is an abundance of snow around. It is beautiful. Love, [Fannie][enc w/ 22 Jan 1920] Mother, Your advice about exams is very good, although it told me nothing new. But this is the situation. I am not doing any conscious worrying about exams, nevertheless I am under the same strain that everyone else is, although not in the same degree of panic. But that or something else has put my bowels off again. The Maltine does not work properly and I don't know what else to try. I used Castor Oil last night. But the worst of it is that it has become quite painful. I do not know the physiology terms again, but I mean at the passage way, or what ever it is called. The only thing I knew to do was take the C. oil and goo myself up with vaseline. If there is anything else please let me know what to do, as it is most annoying for any occasion, particularly exam week, when I need all my pep and energy and power on my work. This note is stricktly for you, Mother.
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