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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: 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: [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: 1919-12-19 [?]
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: 1920-01-11 [1921]
Text: January 11, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am going to see if I cannot type a letter without any mistakes even though I am going fast. I am getting entirely too careless. That is pretty good--only two mistakes. I am going over to Main to eat with Carolym Baily tonight. I mispelled her name, but that does not count. I suppose I will come back feeling dumb and dull, because she is so wonderful and I will naturally start "Woe is me"ing. I started my history topic...
Show moreJanuary 11, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am going to see if I cannot type a letter without any mistakes even though I am going fast. I am getting entirely too careless. That is pretty good--only two mistakes. I am going over to Main to eat with Carolym Baily tonight. I mispelled her name, but that does not count. I suppose I will come back feeling dumb and dull, because she is so wonderful and I will naturally start "Woe is me"ing. I started my history topic yesterday. It is on the Philadelphia convention. It is not pregressing any too rapidly. I have a Spanish conference tomorrow morning. Otherwise there is nothing new, except that I got no mail today. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-01-08 [1921]
Text: January 8, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: There is nothing new to report since yesterday. We had a wonderful walk out to the Kenyon estate. There is quite a little snow on the ground and the country is beautiful. It is wonderful to be able to enjoy it again. Lucy came over for dinner last night and as usual we had a good "bicker" together. After chapel I went to hear a piano recital by somebody Giorni. I think I enjoyed it. I am told by those who know what they are...
Show moreJanuary 8, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: There is nothing new to report since yesterday. We had a wonderful walk out to the Kenyon estate. There is quite a little snow on the ground and the country is beautiful. It is wonderful to be able to enjoy it again. Lucy came over for dinner last night and as usual we had a good "bicker" together. After chapel I went to hear a piano recital by somebody Giorni. I think I enjoyed it. I am told by those who know what they are talking about that he wasn't too potent. I slept till nine o'clock this morning, made some breakfast, and managed to get myself over to the library by a quarter to eleven. I had planned to do history, but when I got there, discovered that Senorita Agostini had changed her mind about not giving us an assignment for Monday. I spent two hours on it and have not finished it yet. I think I'll do history this afternoon. I am looking forward to Dr. Grenfell's lecture of ton ght. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-01-23[1921]
Text: January 23, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I just finished writing a very enlightening paper on Jane Austen's satire of the Gothic novel. It took two hours and a half, and is quite a masterpiece! I got up for breakfast this morning, knowing that if I didn't, I wouldn't get to work till about eleven o'clock. I then came up, read the paper, took a bath, made my bed, and proceeded to work. This reminds me of a Mark Twain diary. Jo and I wrote what we considered a...
Show moreJanuary 23, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I just finished writing a very enlightening paper on Jane Austen's satire of the Gothic novel. It took two hours and a half, and is quite a masterpiece! I got up for breakfast this morning, knowing that if I didn't, I wouldn't get to work till about eleven o'clock. I then came up, read the paper, took a bath, made my bed, and proceeded to work. This reminds me of a Mark Twain diary. Jo and I wrote what we considered a very clever dialogue for Spanish tomorrow. It took us two of the other members of the honorable class, they told us that it was better Spanish than they could write but that the joke which we were developing was old as the hills. We had both heard it in French, but never in English. Apparently it is an American joke, too,--the story of a man who goes to consult a doctor because he is feeling sick. The doctor takes his temperature, pulse, etc., asks a million questions, gives him a prescription, and he tells him what he needs more than anything else is lots of exercise. He then gives a long speech on the lack of exercise in modern life. As soon as the patient can get a word edgewise, he says, "But doctor, I am a postman!" I suppose you have heard it, too. At any rate, it is not so easy, working that up cleverly in Spanish. I still have some Chem and American history to do for tomorrow, also plenty of boring, boring, boring English Speech for the written exam which comes Thursday. I am through with Ec for two weeks. I have done all my studying for the exam. It took exactly three hours. Love, Fannie I had a letter from Aunt Hattie yesterday. She didn't say much.[enc w/23 Jan 1921] O fprgpt to tell you about our debate dinner. Khaki came up late yesterday afternoon to remind about it. It is a good thing she did, or I should have forgotten about it completely. It was at Mrs. Glenn's, which is a small house two blocks from campus and which makes a specialty of serving dinner-parties. We had the dining-room, and in the room adjoining there was a party of all the Jews who were in Raymond last year. I hope their food was as good as ours! We had tomato bisque, wonderful chewable steak, mashed potatoes, peas, fruit salad, ice cream, delicious cocoanut cake, not to mention wonderful jelly rolls, olives, and celery. The funny part of the meal was that when Betty Cannon stopped for me, she said, "Oh, I forgot my pocket-book. How much do you suppose it will be? It's funny that Khaki never said anything about the price". Well, in the course of the meal, one of the girls said, to her, "Don't you wish your father could see us enjoying this food?" From which we gathered that her father was treating us, only she had neglected to tell us so. Anyhow, it was a pretty good treat that he gave and us so. Anyhow, it was a pretty good treat that he gave and a very good idea on his part it was! There were twelve at the table, including committee, team, alternates, and the senior ex-member of intercollegiate debate who helped coach us. We discussed everything from compulsory chapel to the movies, it seems to me. I was rather quiet on the latter subject, not knowing an awful lot about it. The chapel discussion arose from the fact that Shrimp Marshall, one of the members of the committee, is on Studens'[sic] Board, and apparently their meetings for the last month have discussed nothing but the poor decorum in chapel. Incidentally, not one of the twelve there approvedof compulsory chapel. Well, the interesting part of the discussion came when Betsy Strong came out with the firmly uttered conviction that she thought it was a chame on the part of the Trustees, who claim to be so broad-minded, to compel the Catholic and Jewish girls to go to chapel. Seh[sic] went on a great rate, in fact I tried to get in a word edgewise, but could not succeed. She said, among other things, that it was impossible to feel like prayingduring Prexie's prayer, when a lot of the people were gazing blankly at the ceiling, the Jewish girls, for instance. I did manage to say then that just because they did not bean forward did not indicate that that they were not praying. Incidentally, it was sort of a shallow argument, because it is pertty hard to know what other people are doing! Just then I heard Phyllis say in a very low tone, but not low enough, to her next door neighbor, "Well, I wonder what Betsy will say next, Fannie is Jewish. She must be dense" Then I started to feel amused, but before that, I was rather uncomfortable, for the simple reason that i did not know what was coming next. Soon after that, Phyllis started the conversation in another direction. Altogether, it was a very enjoyable evening and one which I will have a great deal of pleasure in remembering. I thought of Marse during the meal. Everybody was dressed up and looked nice. He always claims that there are so few pretty girls in existence. Well, I think of the twelve, eight were among the prettiest girls at college. It's too bad he didn't see the party. I wrote to him the other day.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-01-15 [1921]
Text: January 15, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It may interest you to know that I wrote to Grandpa yesterday. I don't want to get another letter from Aunt Hattie telling me Grandpa would enjoy hearing from me. Incidentally, I got a letter from him this morning. he takes my debating very seriously. It poured all yesterday afternoon, so the girl with whom I was planning to walk came over here and we fooled fro[sic] about a half hour, then decided to take our walk tomorrow...
Show moreJanuary 15, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It may interest you to know that I wrote to Grandpa yesterday. I don't want to get another letter from Aunt Hattie telling me Grandpa would enjoy hearing from me. Incidentally, I got a letter from him this morning. he takes my debating very seriously. It poured all yesterday afternoon, so the girl with whom I was planning to walk came over here and we fooled fro[sic] about a half hour, then decided to take our walk tomorrow afternoon. Then i read for bout two hours--Jane Austen's "Northanger Abbey". I had hoped to read all of it, but I did not manage to. Last night I heard a very interesting lecture, but I shall not tell you about it until I find somebody who knows what the man's name is. I got up for breakfast this morning, strange to relate. The reason was that I had to go to chem lab, and I could not see standing over there all morning on an epty stomach. I worked over there from nine until twelve thirty. It's a great life, this chemical life! Please don't correct my English because I did not mean it to be correct. I think I will finish the book this afternoon and then take a walk later. The ice carnival is off. There isn't a speck of snow or ice left on the ground. I had inteded to cut chapel tomorrow morning. I have enough cuts left and I could use the time to good advantage--besides which there is nothing that I do at college that gives me the same amount of satisfaction as cutting Sunday chapel. but the preacher tomorrow is said to be very good, the Reverend Cleland McAffe of Chicago. His daughter graduated last year. She was president of the Christian Association. What should I do about it, Pete. I have conscientious scruples against leaving cuts go by. We are going to have a debate dinner next week-end at Mrs. Glenn's. She has good food, and it is a small private house. I expect it to be loads of fun. Love, Fannie The last paragraph, i mean the one about chapel, is intended principally to shock Pete. Lester, please return Grandpa's Letter, contents of which pease note".
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-01-18 [1921]
Text: January 19, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Were in the world is my laundry? I hope it has not been lost. It usually comes by Saturday, or Sunday at the latest. Today is Wednesday, and it is not here yet. It got home all right last week, didn't it? I hope so, because I had the library books in it, in addition to clothes. Pete, I inaugurated my typewriter reform several days ago. I am improving gradually. In case you hadn't noticed it, I am telling you now. Also, didn...
Show moreJanuary 19, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Were in the world is my laundry? I hope it has not been lost. It usually comes by Saturday, or Sunday at the latest. Today is Wednesday, and it is not here yet. It got home all right last week, didn't it? I hope so, because I had the library books in it, in addition to clothes. Pete, I inaugurated my typewriter reform several days ago. I am improving gradually. In case you hadn't noticed it, I am telling you now. Also, didn't you ever hear that a person was going to give a lecture on something which interested you, and then go to the lecture, in the meantime forgetting that person's name? I admit I don't do it often, but it does happen once in a while. I studied chem yesterday afternoon until dinner time. I am getting the stuff down pat, I think. All I needed was a little intensive study. Theoretically, you are not supposed to have to study in this course between lectures, but practically, you do. That is where the trouble was coming in, I think. We had to write in class today, but I had learned the tables which we were supposed to give, so I was all right. The ice carnival last night was beautiful. It is the first that has been held for three years. Two years ago there wasn't any ice all winter and last year there was too much snow to keep the lakes shoveled. There were five huge bonfires on the shore of Pratt Lake, enough to light up the whole lake. There were no lanterns, but there was a huge American flag hanging over the center of the lake. The band was seated down at the far end and everybody got in line there for the grand march. Only those could skate in it who where completely dressed in white, and there were a lot. They skated down the center of the lake and around it in twos, then fours, eights, sixteens, and finally, in single file. Then anyone who wanted to could skate for a little while. Then they formed a large circle aroud the exhibition skaters. Two juniors, one sophomore, and one freshman did some marvelous exhibition dancing-skating. They were as good as any professionals could be. Then the four of them skated along, winding in and out among each other. They certainly were wonderful. The sophomore, Anna Osterhout, (whoe father incidentally, is the well-known botany prof at Harvard) was telling us last year that when they moved from Berkeley to Cambridge she was presented with a pair of skates and the first time there was ice she went onto the lake and skated as though she was known how to skate all her life, doing all kinds of stunts. It was a beautiful sight, all right. I was very sorry you couldn't see it, Pete. I felt sure that had you been able to, you would have agreed that the beauty of Vassar equals, if it does not surpass, the sublime and heavenly beauty of Wellesley! Our Spanish lession for tomorrow is on Chile. The student-assistant in the Spanish department, who hails from Chile, is going to conduct our class. I have some studying, and a healthy amoung[sic] of it, too, to do for the Spanish exam. I have used it for my semi-snap course, and the result is a sad need for concentration on irregular verbs, etc. We are reviewing in Ec now. I am going to skate for a little while this afternoon. I have also to prepare a secen minute Speech on some question of current interest for the large meeting of Speakers' Bureau seventh hour this afternoon. The speakers are to be chosen today for the half hour address to the current topics class of farmer at Rhinecliff, so I had better hump myself. I would like to go. I understand it is loads of fun--in fact, I don't very well see how it could help being so. I have an English paper to write for next Monday. The only thing I like about writing papers for that course is to be able to make Miss Peebles repeat her comment of a month ago, that my papers "showed a great deal of intelligent thinking and good ideas". We are having wonderful weather. But it's hard to get up in the morning"! I had a letter from Helen Diamond today, but it was not particularly interesting. Considering that I have a lot of studying to do, this is a rather long letter! Love, Fannie Father, and Mother, How can you read my shallow letters, after all Pete's prfoundly[sic] philosophical words of wisdom, or rather, reflection? It must be annoying to you to have the difference in our mentalities laid before you so plainly every day!
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-01-07 [1921]
Text: January 7, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: You will be pleased to know that my trunk has arrived. I suppose the typewriter interests you more than the trunk, though. I cannot say that getting back to work has been a particularly agreeable sensation. I don't know what it is that I don't like--perhpas[sic] I miss Moses, Father. We are having a regular Vassar snowstorm today. I intend to go walking in it next hour. I had planned to read this afternoon, but Helen came down...
Show moreJanuary 7, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: You will be pleased to know that my trunk has arrived. I suppose the typewriter interests you more than the trunk, though. I cannot say that getting back to work has been a particularly agreeable sensation. I don't know what it is that I don't like--perhpas[sic] I miss Moses, Father. We are having a regular Vassar snowstorm today. I intend to go walking in it next hour. I had planned to read this afternoon, but Helen came down in great distress to get me to hlep[sic] her with her trig. She certainly doesn't know enough about it to hurt her. I think she ought to tutor. She thinks so, too, but she cannot find anybody to tutor her and she won't go to Pap White and ask him whom to have. I spent an hour trying to help her. If it only got her somewhere I wouldn't mind giving up the time, but when I have finished she never knows anymore than when I start. Our history class this morning was the most interesting have had all year. We had a town meeting a month after the passing of the Stamp Act. Everyboday was free to talk. I did a goodly share of it, and had a very good time. I took the Tory point of view, just for diversion. I am afraid debating has taught me to argue against my personal conviction. I am handing in my elections today. I think I shall go on with history. My reason for deciding is principally that you just get your start in the first semester and therefore lose a lot by dropping the course in the middle of the year. If I want Russian History, which I really think must be very interesting, (in spite of your prejudice, Father) I can take it next year. I am going to have some tall eliminating to do the next two years in the way of desierable courses. There is more than two years' worth of courses that I want to take before I graduate. The only letter I got today was a baby letter from you, Father. I got a C on that Chem written we had before vacation. It distressed me terribly--in fact I had the next thing to nightmare over it in my sleep last night. Really, chemistry makes my young life quite miserable. I did the best I could on it--I don't know what is the matter with me. There were several A's and some B's, also quite a lot lower than mine. B would satisfy me, but C worries me. I am afriad[sic] that there will be no more XYZ keys in the Aaron family unless Marse should get one. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-01-15 [1921]
Text: January 15, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Yesterday was a great day, not! I was in the lab over two hours. I had left an experiment in the middle two days before and wehn I went over there yesterday, could not find it anywhere. I started it over and after I had been working an hour, I found it. Lab make some more tired than walking for the same length of time would. From lab I went over to the library and worked for an hour on my history topic. It is rather interesting except...
Show moreJanuary 15, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Yesterday was a great day, not! I was in the lab over two hours. I had left an experiment in the middle two days before and wehn I went over there yesterday, could not find it anywhere. I started it over and after I had been working an hour, I found it. Lab make some more tired than walking for the same length of time would. From lab I went over to the library and worked for an hour on my history topic. It is rather interesting except that I have more work to do on it before tomorrow than I have time to do it in. I have taken the four main plains set forth in the Federal Convention of 1787 and compared their points of difference, and ended up with the result as shown in the Constitution of the United States. I also tried to give the main points of discussion in the convention. I hope Lucy will like the topic as well as I do--Lucy Salmon, I mean. I lost my Spanish grammar somewhere around college and I have had to waste a lot of time trying to find it. Starting tomorrow, I shall be more careful with my typing. I am really getting into a very careless way. Love, Fannie Mother, will you please have McKennan's fill my face prescription, (the salve) and send it to me. No 268989. It is helping, and I want to be sure to have it filled right.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-01-21 [1921]
Text: January 21, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have the pleasure to announce to you that I passed the Ec. written the other day. Considering that over half the people who take Baby Ec flunked it, I am quite proud of myself. Some of the best people in my class, and it is a spendid class, including Dorothea Schmidt, flunked it. The department marks on a basis of five, and I figured out by the marks next to each question and by the final marks at the end, (all of which had been erased...
Show moreJanuary 21, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have the pleasure to announce to you that I passed the Ec. written the other day. Considering that over half the people who take Baby Ec flunked it, I am quite proud of myself. Some of the best people in my class, and it is a spendid class, including Dorothea Schmidt, flunked it. The department marks on a basis of five, and I figured out by the marks next to each question and by the final marks at the end, (all of which had been erased but were distinguishable, that I had an average of four and a half. That is either B or B plus. It certainly was a corker. Father, do you remember the paragraph in the outline book about the fact that fixed capital hindered the adjustment of market price to normal value? We decided that it was unintelligible. Well, I had checked that in my book to ask about the next recitation, and then we got that as one of the three questions on the quiz. There was only one in all the classes who got it completely right. I put up a big bluff, not knowing what I was talking about, and got away with it, evidently. That is the one way I can blugg--on paper. If I try to doit in class my unconfident voice and facial expression give me away. Miss New Comer told us that the reason they gave this written was to show us where we stand before the exam. Most of us stand on trembling ground, I am afraid. We had to write for a half hour in chem this morning. I managed all right. As long as it is memory work, I am safe. Then after that he started firing questions at us. I excaped until just after the bell rang. He is hard of hearing, and very rarely hears the bell. I was going to tell him that it had rung, but I thought that was making it too evident that I preferred not trying to answer. Finally he called on another girl for something else, and she came forth very strongly the the answer, "Professor Moulton, the bell rang over five minutes ago". It was very funny--he thought so too. This morning in history class the Federal Convention discussed whether to abandon or amend the articles of Confederation. We had great fun. I advocated abandonning them, and the discussion became quite spirited. We all prefaced our speeches with remarks such as this, "As you no doubt know, I represent such and such a state, and my state elected me to do so and so. i feel that I am on my honor to see that this is done, and if you will not consider this, I feel it my duty to leave the convention." It was very funny at times. Our next history lession, for Tuesday, is to make out an exam. We all decided to make out easy ones, because we all have a feeling that it would be just like dear old Aunt Lucy to hand these papers out the day of the exam, instead of making one out herself! Dr. T. has been known to do that in physiology. I heard an intensely interesting lecture last night byDr. Haas (sorry I don't know his first name, Pete, but it was not announced), who worked for eight years in Adena. He spoke principally about the Turkish attitude in the Armenian massacres, and then he considered the method of overcoming this intense hatred of the Turks. He proposed doing it by deeds of love, and similar bunk. He told one story to illustrate the intensity of race hatred in the region in which he worked. He said on the big Mohammedan feast day every Mohommedan sacrifices a sheep to Allah and prays that as many Christians be killed that year as sheep have been sacrificed. On Easter every Christian tried to see how many Easter eggs he can eat, and prays that that year as many Mohannedans be killed as eggs have been eaten. And the Jew prays that both these prayers may be answered. I had never heard that story before, but I should imagine that it is a pretty true expression of the situation. And that is not so very much different from what the Zionists will encounter. I was telling Helen Reid after the lecture what the man had to say, and I also expressed my doubt of what could be accomplished by the love he advocated. I thought the two examples he cited of what it accomplished were glaring examples of the exception to the rule, and I said so, too. She said, maybe, but it sounded reasonable to her. About ten minutes later she happened to be talking about war relief, and she mentioned that she would never want to give a cent to Austrian war relief until every poor person in this country were taken care of. I asked her how she reconciled that attitude with what she had just said, that she believed in "turning the left cheek". (Isn't that the expression? I am not up in these religious discussions, you know!) Anyhow, she admitted she was stumped and that that system would not work in practice. Altogether it was a very interesting evening. I must get ready to go to town now. We decided to call on Miss Salmon this afternoon, and to walk down and back. It is quite warm. I am afraid that the ice is going to melt. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1920-01-07]
Text: Jan. 8. Dear Mother + Father, This business of getting [puuches] is going to be a nuisance. I came over right after lunch + found eight ahead of me. Mlle Champy told me that she sent the book to N.Y. + it was returned to her. She also told me that I would be able to catch up in the reading easily, not to worry, - she ex - pected me to hand in one of her best exam. papers! And that from her. Miss [Kitchel] was not there today. so we [bad] written work - to writechiefly about the large English...
Show moreJan. 8. Dear Mother + Father, This business of getting [puuches] is going to be a nuisance. I came over right after lunch + found eight ahead of me. Mlle Champy told me that she sent the book to N.Y. + it was returned to her. She also told me that I would be able to catch up in the reading easily, not to worry, - she ex - pected me to hand in one of her best exam. papers! And that from her. Miss [Kitchel] was not there today. so we [bad] written work - to writechiefly about the large English section meeting that I missed. I wrote about the preparation for it instead. The book report that I wrote is due next week, so I am that much ahead. Miss [Bourne] was very particular to ask me several times how I am. I tell them, somwhate better, because there is no sense in saying am all better. They would then expect fine work. Miss Wells told me if I was not straightened out in math by tomorrow to come to her. My trunk is in Main. I had to pay 98� excess baggage. How do you [ac][count] for that? I studied in the library this <after morning>, It works much better than my room. I wish I had done that sooner. The quiet rules are certainly not observed. I was quite tired yes - terday, so last night [in] - stead of working + doing nothing I went to the introductory lecture of Mlle. Marguerite Clement of the University of Versailles on Modern France. I heard her last year under the auspices of the Alliance Francaise. She speaks a beautiful Frenc. There is another lecture 8th. hr. today but I cannot make it. I [want] to get that [makeup]out of my system. Dr. T. accepted Dr. F's letter, but told me to tell him she wants a statement from him about the particulars of the case. Poor Dr. T. - her feelings are hurt that I never submitted to her examination...Incidentally, I am no better today, but it is raining + very damp, so it's all right. I met Mrs. Robeson's niece today, whom Mlle. told me to look up. I also saw Helen J. for a while yesterday. Her room-mate who had appendicitis has 7 wks. work to make up. I understand there was quite a loss in the Josselyn [fine.] Love, Fannie Me for [Ikel Corona]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-01-12 [1921]
Text: January 12, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Nothing exciting happened yesterday. I finished "The Bride of Lammermoor" and enjoyed it somewhat. Last night a friend of Lucy's from Raymond, Ida Maisel, came over the talked for an hour and a half. She was quite interesting. Miss Peeble's is sick, so we got a cut today. It's too bad that she is sick, but it is nice that we got a cut. Oh, there is something exciting to tell you--Gertrude Allen bobbed her hair! I...
Show moreJanuary 12, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Nothing exciting happened yesterday. I finished "The Bride of Lammermoor" and enjoyed it somewhat. Last night a friend of Lucy's from Raymond, Ida Maisel, came over the talked for an hour and a half. She was quite interesting. Miss Peeble's is sick, so we got a cut today. It's too bad that she is sick, but it is nice that we got a cut. Oh, there is something exciting to tell you--Gertrude Allen bobbed her hair! I have a splitting headache today. I ought to be ahamed to admit it--I suppose it is from too much reading. Miss Smith came to pay me a call last night. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-01-17 [1921]
Text: January 17, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Answers to questions:--the gifts were received with much appreciation and an increasing good-will on the part of Miss Herndon has been manifest ever since. The salve came this morning. Thank you. A package of American Stationery Company paper came also. Thank you for that too. I have been meaning to order some for myself all year, but never got to it. The things from K. B. are satisfactory. I am using the blue dress and have had to stop...
Show moreJanuary 17, 1920 [1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Answers to questions:--the gifts were received with much appreciation and an increasing good-will on the part of Miss Herndon has been manifest ever since. The salve came this morning. Thank you. A package of American Stationery Company paper came also. Thank you for that too. I have been meaning to order some for myself all year, but never got to it. The things from K. B. are satisfactory. I am using the blue dress and have had to stop wearing the brown. It looks like a bag, and then some. Should I send it home for you to give away? I had a very nice walk yesterday afternoon. it was a gorgeous day. Then i came home and read the New York Times for an hour! Please take notice of that, Lester. I then proceeded to read the poems of Masefield on which our Romance exam is to be based. I went to the organ recital in the chapel last night, otherwise known as "dark music". I then came home, washed my head, and studied chemisty till ten o'clock. During that time there was a very excited and lengthy interruption, caused by Ruth Bransten who burst in to give me all the particulars about the invitation she had just gotten to the Harvard Junior Prom. Her brother cooked it all up and his roommate, the famous member of the football team, is taking her. She certainly was excited. Everybody kids her about her brother's roommate, because she is talking about hime all the time. you don't happen to know any members of football teams that you would like to room with, do you, Pete? We had a fierce one hour written in Ec this morning. He asked three hard questions, one of which I had made a note of to ask about in our next quiz meeting. But that did not do me any good. I have some interesting information for you. Do you remember that wonderful looking girl who sat at the table next to us in the dining-room at Late Tahoe, whom i used to stare at all the time? Anyhow, the oone I mean is Mrs. Charles Heimerdinger, now Freshman year for Marshal of the Daisy Chain, but did not come back; graduated from Barnard with Phi Beta Kappa and won a history prize that had not been awarded for five years because nobody had been good enough for it. One of my freshman neighbors, a friend of her sisters, started raving about her today and volunteered this information. I am about to start off to lab again. [Love, Fannie]
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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: n.d. [postmarked 1920-01-07]
Text: [postmarked 7 Jan 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It is handy to be able to borrow one's neighbor's type-writer. I came up on the train in my own company, so I got some work done. The red ribbon seems better than the ble on this machine. I came back in a taxi with a California girl in my class. She spent the vacation in Pittsburgh with the Dilworths, on Negley Avenue, your friends, Pete. She is the girl I saw in the Fairmont last summer-you remember, Mother. She came from San...
Show more[postmarked 7 Jan 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It is handy to be able to borrow one's neighbor's type-writer. I came up on the train in my own company, so I got some work done. The red ribbon seems better than the ble on this machine. I came back in a taxi with a California girl in my class. She spent the vacation in Pittsburgh with the Dilworths, on Negley Avenue, your friends, Pete. She is the girl I saw in the Fairmont last summer-you remember, Mother. She came from San Francisco. I was the fifth back in Davison. I straightened up my room, unpacked my suitcase, went over and telegraphed, and it was then dinner time. After dinner I went to the library and completely finished my history topic, which I handed in today, and al my trig but one problem. I am very much messed up in it. I shall try to straighten myself out today. I opened all my windows and turned off the heat yesterday afternoon, but in spite of that the room was so suffocatingly hot that I did not get to sleep until after midnight. I got up any covers. i moved my furniture around today, so that the bed is now under the windows. Perhaps I can breathe now. The letter from Doctor Furniss asking for a weekly excuse for me came today. I shall attend to it now. I got to the station yesterday just in time to see the gates shut on the one o'clock train. We did not get in from Pittsburgh until noon. The doctor fired the usual line of questions at me. He wants me before exams. He says I can study enough to pass with honors as it is. He wants me for one treatment, no several, as Dr. S. seemed to. He says I can go back the same afternoon. Saturday is his operating day, and he is only there from eleven-thirty to one thirty. I got a twelve appointment, so I shall take the trainleaving here at ten-five and getting in at twelve-five. It is the only one that will work at all. Aunt Bessie says she will meet me at the doctor's office, and can do so without inconvenience, I can return at three-thirty, getting back in time for dinner. Incidentally, Aunt Bessie insisted on using up the money you would not take for taxies, porters, etc. Doctor F. Wants me to take gym unles I find that it hurts me. There was a fire in Josselyn yesterday morning. It started in the candy-kitchen and quite a litte damage was done by water. They had to have the Poughkeepsie fire engines out. Miss Thallon called me by my first name this morning--I wonder if she does that to everybody! Lucy came up at one o'clock to work and did not do anything. [Fannie]MotherDr. [F] came me the [iron] hyperdermic. The [R. Lin] is rather bad today, but I guess it is just an off day. I tell you because you want to know. Let Aunt Bessie meet me this time. And save your [trip] for another week. - Father.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1919-01-15 [1920]
Text: Januar 15, 1919. [1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Your special came this afternoon, Mother. I would feel like a "selfish person", as Father would say, to have you come this week. I do not need you, although I admit it is nice to have Aunt Bessie. I would not enjoy particularly going alone. I worked my fool head off today. Thank goodness when three weeks are here. Miss Wells is going to send me a written in the unstamped mail. I shall take it on Sunday. I went down to see Miss...
Show moreJanuar 15, 1919. [1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Your special came this afternoon, Mother. I would feel like a "selfish person", as Father would say, to have you come this week. I do not need you, although I admit it is nice to have Aunt Bessie. I would not enjoy particularly going alone. I worked my fool head off today. Thank goodness when three weeks are here. Miss Wells is going to send me a written in the unstamped mail. I shall take it on Sunday. I went down to see Miss Thallon tonight, and she will give me the history written tomorrow afternoon. I must have them out of my system. Exams are in the air--the world seems to revolve about them now. We were told today to buy the essay "Current Literature and the Colleges" by Henty Seidel Canby. We are to read it, do anything ith it that we please--that is to say, study it as we have studied various essays this semester--then bring it to the examinatuon. We will be examined on it. I had counted on not havving to study for the English exam. We review half of trif for Monday. I asked Champy is we would have the last day for review, whereupon she hopped all over us and said she could not understand out spirity , we ought to be reciewing already, the exams did not seem to worry us, and she saw us going sledding and skating, whereas in France when she had exams she used to get up at five and study all day long. She expects us to cram reviewing when she is cramming us full of new stuff miles long now. Poor fool! I had class drill in gym today. It was much better than at high school. I then dressed and went uover to Main for dinner with Helen Hurd the girl who came up the night I was sick. Do you remember her, Mother? Main is a wonderful place, all right, if you are built with a horse's stength. I think I would have lasted about six weeks there. Love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1919-01-16 [1920]
Text: January 16, 1919. [1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete:' According to the letter I received today you expected a telegram in either case, but I understood by your special yesterday that you wanted a telegram only if I wanted you to come. I am very sorry that I misunderstood. I worked first hour this morning, and then had my usual bunch of recitations. The hygiene lecture was the last for the semester, and Dr. T. told us the sort of questions she was going to ask on the exam. I don&apos...
Show moreJanuary 16, 1919. [1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete:' According to the letter I received today you expected a telegram in either case, but I understood by your special yesterday that you wanted a telegram only if I wanted you to come. I am very sorry that I misunderstood. I worked first hour this morning, and then had my usual bunch of recitations. The hygiene lecture was the last for the semester, and Dr. T. told us the sort of questions she was going to ask on the exam. I don't think I need worry about that exam. The best thing she told us this semester and which she has repeated so often is, "What you think you gain in time by studying late at night you lose in energy the next day". I appreciate that very much. I had my punch yesterday afternoon, I mean this afternoon, again. I have only struck Dr. T. once. I took the history quizz over in the library this afternoon, after an hour in this wonderful weather. I felt in good trim for work, but I am afraid I over did the exercise a little. I went down to Miss Thallon last night and told her I was ready for the exam. She called me Fannie again! I told her not to make it too hard, and she said she would not! She then wrote down on her memorandum pad, "Written lesson for F. Aaron, not too hard."! How can you help likeing anyone like that. She gave me four questions and I was to choose three. They were, 1. What was the difference in organization of the Estates General and the Model Parliament? 2. What were the causes and results of the Peasants' Insurrection? 3. What was the political and economic conditon of France at the end of the Hundred Years' War? 4. What conditions in the church made it necessary to call the councils and why were they a failure?. I took it over to the library and wrote for fifty minutes. It felt great to have it over with. I will take the math quizz Sunday morning when the rest of the college is at chapel. For the first time since I am here I could not get enough to eat--they must have been short and I had no fruit in my room. Inasmuch as I cannot, or at least, am not supposed to eat sweet stuff I went off campus in quest of some apples. And here I am with this letter. Off for N. Y. tomorrow. Nothing more new. Love,I am to come Wednesday aft. + he will only want to give me one treatment if we do not go to A.C. that is. if we stay in N.Y., he would rather have me [Thursday] at 1 o clock as Wed. is his hospital day.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1919-01-23 [1920 ?]
Text: January 23, 1919. [1920?] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: One exam behind me. It was not hard, neither was it easy, and it was very long. The strain of trying to get through in time was terrible. As far as I know, I got four out of the six absolutely right, the theory right in the other two, and part of the work right in them. I did not have time to check up on thr[sic] solutions of the triangles, and that is where I made the mistakes. One girl in Miss Smith's class left early and made...
Show moreJanuary 23, 1919. [1920?] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: One exam behind me. It was not hard, neither was it easy, and it was very long. The strain of trying to get through in time was terrible. As far as I know, I got four out of the six absolutely right, the theory right in the other two, and part of the work right in them. I did not have time to check up on thr[sic] solutions of the triangles, and that is where I made the mistakes. One girl in Miss Smith's class left early and made one hundred per cent on her exam. Miss Smith said so. I passed all right, and that is more than most people thing that they did, but I lost my chance of an A in the course, and it is the only course I had a chance for that in. I got about two hours' worth of fresh air in stretches yesterday. I also got quite a little work done. I rested up after lunch a bit--the exam did me up completely. I asked Miss Ells a question about the last problem. She told me it checked within two seconds. I told her I got mine to check within ninety degrees. She was very much amused. I was not. I shall now go for a walk. Nothing new to report that I know of, except that engaged sign are much in fashion and it is no longer impossible to go to sleep before ten. Miss Thallon smiled to me in the dining-room today. Don't get mad, Pete. I like to peeve you. Love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-02-08
Text: [Addressed to Hotel Teymore] [Fed 8, 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I just woke up from a one-hour nap. I hated to take the time for it, but I was very tired and had a bad headache, so I could not help myself. It is gone now. I had four classes this morning. I don't know how I am going to like my new schedule. It took me till now to recover from lab yesterday. Enclosed you will find my semester bill. It is right, as far as I know. I think the medical bill is very reasonable, don...
Show more[Addressed to Hotel Teymore] [Fed 8, 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I just woke up from a one-hour nap. I hated to take the time for it, but I was very tired and had a bad headache, so I could not help myself. It is gone now. I had four classes this morning. I don't know how I am going to like my new schedule. It took me till now to recover from lab yesterday. Enclosed you will find my semester bill. It is right, as far as I know. I think the medical bill is very reasonable, don't you? I have to go to the libe to work on debate now. Tryouts start tomorrow and I haven't looked at a thing. I thought they would start in about a week. I am up to try out with Marian Cahill, an all A senior and debater of last year! Goodbye, Fannie. We had a one hour meeting with Miss Yost last night. As you proably remember, she judged at the class debate and also teaches argumentation. She spent the time giving us general pointers. Here's where I get to work and work hard. As Pete says, I'm going to come through or bust, and I don't planto bust. Wishing you the same, I remain, as every our devoted servant.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1920-03-08]
Text: [postmarked 8 march 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have not time to write much today. My long-hoped for English conference comes in a few minutes. I got a good deal done yesterday, but not as much as I had hoped for. I will have a great deal to do today. No one can see Miss Smith today, as luck would have it. Nevertheless I am going to the station this afternoon and take my chances on getting permission to get away all right and order my berth. Miss Landon was not home yesterday...
Show more[postmarked 8 march 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have not time to write much today. My long-hoped for English conference comes in a few minutes. I got a good deal done yesterday, but not as much as I had hoped for. I will have a great deal to do today. No one can see Miss Smith today, as luck would have it. Nevertheless I am going to the station this afternoon and take my chances on getting permission to get away all right and order my berth. Miss Landon was not home yesterday afternoon. I met Lucy on campus yesterday. She has had a great desire all year to sleep in Helen's and Ruth's doubledecker bed, and Saturday night her wish was fulfilled. She fell out of the top in her sleep and got pretty badly banged up, but not hurt. She says she is going to pack my trunk and go to the station with me. We ill see. Her good-will is might nice, but it is a joke. I had hoped to have you special delivery letter before going to town, but it is not here yet. Has Aunt Hattie's "Horace" a vocabulary? Answer if you can. If it is, I will not have to bring my dictionary home. I will have so many books anyhow. Love,
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1920-03-08]
Text: [postmarked 8 march 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have not time to write much today. My long-hoped for English conference comes in a few minutes. I got a good deal done yesterday, but not as much as I had hoped for. I will have a great deal to do today. No one can see Miss Smith today, as luck would have it. Nevertheless I am going to the station this afternoon and take my chances on getting permission to get away all right and order my berth. Miss Landon was not home yesterday...
Show more[postmarked 8 march 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have not time to write much today. My long-hoped for English conference comes in a few minutes. I got a good deal done yesterday, but not as much as I had hoped for. I will have a great deal to do today. No one can see Miss Smith today, as luck would have it. Nevertheless I am going to the station this afternoon and take my chances on getting permission to get away all right and order my berth. Miss Landon was not home yesterday afternoon. I met Lucy on campus yesterday. She has had a great desire all year to sleep in Helen's and Ruth's doubledecker bed, and Saturday night her wish was fulfilled. She fell out of the top in her sleep and got pretty badly banged up, but not hurt. She says she is going to pack my trunk and go to the station with me. We ill see. Her good-will is might nice, but it is a joke. I had hoped to have you special delivery letter before going to town, but it is not here yet. Has Aunt Hattie's "Horace" a vocabulary? Answer if you can. If it is, I will not have to bring my dictionary home. I will have so many books anyhow. Love,
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1920-04-28]
Text: [postmarked 28 Apr 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Old man, you take everything seriously, don't you? You knew perfectly well the advantage I saw in having some one in your family in the army. Miss Wells handed me the quiz this morning with a broad grin on her face. She things I'm a good joke. Miss Smith told me that she had a letter from you, Mother I am curious to know what she had to say to you--all this mystery makes "Curiosity kill a cat". Yes, helen Reid is...
Show more[postmarked 28 Apr 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Old man, you take everything seriously, don't you? You knew perfectly well the advantage I saw in having some one in your family in the army. Miss Wells handed me the quiz this morning with a broad grin on her face. She things I'm a good joke. Miss Smith told me that she had a letter from you, Mother I am curious to know what she had to say to you--all this mystery makes "Curiosity kill a cat". Yes, helen Reid is staying in Davison. You know sophomores who have not excercised their privilege of drawing are entitled to first choice of the vacant rooms and can practically be places. Helen just wokr up to that fact yesterday, and missed her chance of getting a peach of a bay-window room on the floor below. It is reaining very hard today, and I feel pretty punk. I guess dampness does not agree with me. Mother, I wripped the waist-band of the white skirt and pinned it the way it should be fixed. I also put pins in the bands of the two gingham dresses to show where they should snap. The belts should have the snappers moved over as fas as possible to the edges. Dr. Baldwin told me last night again how becoming it was to me to be fatter, she meant my face. I told her I would just as soon not have it in the waist band and in the face instead. I did not realize Cousin Aaron was sixty. Good-night! The program for Founder's Day is:--inter-class song-contest in the morning, address by Prexy, afternoon-faculty-student baseball game (maybe it won't hurt to have to watch that), evening--representation of Founder's Day in the early days of the college. I am enclosing the letter I received yesterday from Marian. Sometimes I wonder if the girl is all there. It is a good thing for me to get a letter from her occasionally. When I get luke-warm about college occasionally, (don't get excited, due to feeling so punk at times) and wish i were at home, then when I see the intellectual, ----life the kids lead at home, I am more satisfied with that I have got instead. The letter from St. Moritz was good. I like Estes Park, but St. Moritz certainly has something that it has not got. Love, Wednesday, I am sorry, I have not the remotest idea of the date.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1920-04-29]
Text: [postmarked 29 Apr 1920] [Frag?] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am sorry I seemed to disturb the tranquillity of your mind, Pete, by having so many mistakes. I real my letters off at such a rapid rate that it is a wonder I do not have more than I do. I mastered the spelling of the word "quiz" and that is really all you ought to expect of me in one college year. Nothing startling has happened--that does sound like your letters, Pete--except that I am continually growing fatter and...
Show more[postmarked 29 Apr 1920] [Frag?] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am sorry I seemed to disturb the tranquillity of your mind, Pete, by having so many mistakes. I real my letters off at such a rapid rate that it is a wonder I do not have more than I do. I mastered the spelling of the word "quiz" and that is really all you ought to expect of me in one college year. Nothing startling has happened--that does sound like your letters, Pete--except that I am continually growing fatter and fatter. I shall send home two white skirts in the next laundry, to be done with as you see fit,--not you, Pete, or Father, but Mother. They would have to be let out three inches in the waist and a little around the hips, and it "aint" there to let out. It's a great life. When I come home, please give me vegetables and not potatoes. I saw Carolyn Bailey this morning. She thought that I had not come back. Mr. Jackson is here, and Helen asked me to take dinner with them at the Inn tonight. I shall not go unless the weather clears up. It was been damp and rainy all day and this weather makes me feel like the dickens. We discuss "Cahnging Winds" in English class next Wednesday. I certainly read it in time. Mathew Vassar's grave is decorated at eight-thirty tomorrow morning. he resides out on the south road. have you ever been out there, Mother. I cannot go, but then I am not weeping about it. I think if I go once while I am at college that will be enough. Prexy's address, delivered from the steps of his house, occurs after that. Carolyn B. told me in quite a loud voice that she had never gone yet, that you stand out on the grass and listen to Prexy mumble from the steps of his house, and that she did not enjoy hearing prexy mumble. He was standing several feet away. I saw the father of Marian Gratz this morning. He looks very much like what his name would indicate. The sond contest between the classes occurs tomorrow morning. I went to rehearsal this noon. Our songs are pretty good. I do think the "Alma Mater" is rather pepless, though. Me for the math quiz this afternoon, also the rest of my English theme. Phyllis was up here last night with JO. Marple, the other freshman of the French class. JO seats she is not exaggerating when she says that if she cannot get into Davison next year she will not come back to college, Davison closed on 220 and she was 221. She drew to Raymond. So I guess we won't be such a bad hall after all. I like her very much. I hope she gets in. If she does come, she will be directly under me. It seems funny. Our class is already discussing Sophomore party
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1920-04-15]
Text: [postmarked 15 Apr 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: The typewriter seems to have arrived this time without damage. Classes went much better today than yesterday. i am pretty far behind in Math, but I think I'll get caught up all right. That will be the hardest. There is to be a quizz the beginning of next week, but Miss Wells told me to come to her first for help. I am sure she will be very nice about it. I have to go to two lectures in Assembly Hall today, one before dinner and one...
Show more[postmarked 15 Apr 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: The typewriter seems to have arrived this time without damage. Classes went much better today than yesterday. i am pretty far behind in Math, but I think I'll get caught up all right. That will be the hardest. There is to be a quizz the beginning of next week, but Miss Wells told me to come to her first for help. I am sure she will be very nice about it. I have to go to two lectures in Assembly Hall today, one before dinner and one after. I have to go as required work. Dorothea got a single, second floor, north transept, near the staircase. The trip certainly must have been hard one me. I feel quite a little better today than yesterday, but still not nearly as well as the few days at the house. i will have to go it easy, all right. I went to bed last night at nine, but could not go to sleep till after eleven, after I had gotten a hot-water bag. It was not encouraging. Dr. Baldwin game me a chapel excuse and an exercise excuse, good till April 30. I'm sure it will have to be renewed. Today is a beautiful day. I wish it were warm enough to sit out. Love, That was a great letter, Father. Pete, you are to send me Jim Meyerovitz's letter. Father said so before I left. Then I will return it to him to be answered. Don't be so smart.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [p.m. 1920-04-23]
Text: [p.m. 23 Apr 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: So Saul Makrauer and Albert Kabet made the Freshman debating team. We have no freshman team, and I have made nothing. Altogether I feel as though I have been more or less of a nobody this year. Believe me, next year I am going to get into things or bust. Enclosed is the note I received from my neighbor yesterday. Speaking of cordiality, grace, etc!!!! I am very much behind in English Speech, in addition to being very stupid with it. I have to...
Show more[p.m. 23 Apr 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: So Saul Makrauer and Albert Kabet made the Freshman debating team. We have no freshman team, and I have made nothing. Altogether I feel as though I have been more or less of a nobody this year. Believe me, next year I am going to get into things or bust. Enclosed is the note I received from my neighbor yesterday. Speaking of cordiality, grace, etc!!!! I am very much behind in English Speech, in addition to being very stupid with it. I have to go to Miss Rogers for private instruction! I asked her if she would rather have me drop it and take it next year when most of my class take it anyhow, inasmuch as most of it is gotten in class and I have missed most of the classes, but she said she thought with help I could make it up all right. I must confess it is not worrying me sick. Did you know my breath and speech are not coordinated? She tells me so, anyhow. I have no plans for leaving Metcalfe. I don't know why I always tag an E on it. I seem to be improving gradually, so I might as well stay there. The only thing that I miss there is the "college life", a much overworked expression, but I could not get it even if I were over in my room, and I do get the rest at Metcalf, so I might as well stay there for a while. Also, I can sit out on a steamer chair without sitting on the ground, which I consider quite an advantage, and which can be done nowhere else. It is not a very interesting life that I have to write about, but as I said before, either it will be next year I will bust. Such being the case, love, [Fannie]Dear Fannie, Having seen you about on campus I thought you would be returning soon. Caroline [tell us me you] are spending most your life in bed. Let me know if I can get you anything. Gertrude[enc w/23 Apr 1920] [enc w/ 23 Apr 1920] Dear Mother, I have almost finished the first bottle of medicine. That, or something else, whether it is the rest or not, I do not know, has helped me quite a little. I have been going to bed as early in the afternoon as possible, sometimes after lunch, sometimes about four. That does not conduce to getting strong, but I think it has been helping me. Perhaps the doctor does not want me to spend so much time in bed. R. S. V. P. Also, Dr. T. and Dr. B. both informed me that they are opposed to using heat. Consequently I dicontinued it yesterday. i had been using it pretty steadily before that. Find out about that, too, please. You say you want to know all about my pain, etc. I do not think that it is quite as good as when I left home, but considering that this is my third day and the pain is not bad, I feel very hopeful. Are you coming for Third Hall? I think it would be wonderful if you would, that is, if you want to. You said when I left that you would be coming in a few weeks to see how we were anyhow. Each student is entitled to one ticket. When I signed up, I was about five hundred and fiftieth. I would have to know so as to engage a room for you. Freshman room-drawing is today and tomorrow. I plan to do most of my English theme over this week-end. Then the math quizes will be left. Miss Wells said I could take two in one if I wanted to, but I preferred not to have my fate depend on one when I had the chance of dividing up.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1920-04-22]
Text: [postmarked 27 Apr 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Miss Mulaly just called me up. Third Hall is Saturday evening, May eighth. She can give you a comfortable room on the first floor for Friday and Saturday nights, and move you up on Sunday in case you should stay longer. She will reserve it until I hear from you. Of course I realize that you may not come, but it is very hard to get a decent room around that time, and that is why I thought I better see about it. Which would you prefer,...
Show more[postmarked 27 Apr 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Miss Mulaly just called me up. Third Hall is Saturday evening, May eighth. She can give you a comfortable room on the first floor for Friday and Saturday nights, and move you up on Sunday in case you should stay longer. She will reserve it until I hear from you. Of course I realize that you may not come, but it is very hard to get a decent room around that time, and that is why I thought I better see about it. Which would you prefer, that or eighter in the Inn or one of its cottages? R. S. V. P. immediately, in your next letter. Perhaps you won't be able to come at all. We have a class meeting today, I suppose to consider the important question of rings. No classes Firday, Founders' Day. Of course its just my luck only to have two that day. The two packages of medicine came yesterday, one whole and one completely smashes and nice and oozy. Dr. B. had already ordered the perscription filled once at Woods'. Why did they not pack it the way they did the last time? I was going to ask Dr. B. last night what she thought about my going back to my room when I got your letter telling me to stay here indefinitely. So I guess I shall. Their cocoa, toast, and potato diet shore" is making me fat. I will send home a few white skirts with directions for letting out the waist bands in the next laundry. If Mrs. Menges can fix them, all right, if not, don't worry about them, but send them back. All the people near the college who might do it are booked up for the rest of the year, that is why I have to send them home. I have two skirts that I can get into, and my two gingham dresses just to exercise. Don't bother about sending the blue dress, I have no more use for dark clothes. We surely do rush the season here. I don't like the cape, since you ask. I think it looks awfully sick. Don't you? Excuse me, Father and Pete, I might have put this dress making paragraph in a separate note. I was told about a pretty nasty trick that was pulled off on one girl in room-drawing. She went to North on trial draw, and a crowd that were going there told her, "If you come to North, you will be keeping one of our crowd out an we will make it so disagreeable for you there that you won't come back to college". The girl went to Josselyn. Our system is not as democratic as it sounds. How is Grandpa? What do you mean by "the same"? Is he very sick? Love,
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 16-Apr
Text: April 16 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I think you ought to make & plus working on the railroads, Pete. A great job. I am sorry to say that I still feel quite badly, and that I had the same difficulty in goingto sleep last night that I had the night before• I dOj^H know what I have done or eaten th-t I should not have. It certainly is not encouraging» The English Speech class piay last night was very good» I like classical underworld stuff, and there was enough in it. There were only...
Show moreApril 16 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I think you ought to make & plus working on the railroads, Pete. A great job. I am sorry to say that I still feel quite badly, and that I had the same difficulty in goingto sleep last night that I had the night before• I dOj^H know what I have done or eaten th-t I should not have. It certainly is not encouraging» The English Speech class piay last night was very good» I like classical underworld stuff, and there was enough in it. There were only four actors in it, and they are the fäur best in the college. In case you should be talking to the doctor, you can tell him how I feel and see what he has to say about it- I saw Lucy for a few minutes last night- She seems to be quite worried about her father. Love,
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1920-05-13]
Text: [postmarked 13 May 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: My great difficulty in the clipping system seems to be to cut them out and then forget to send them. The song may interest you even though it is slightly behind the times. I am to take my course of elections over to Miss Cowley in ten minutes to have her sign them. They are:--English Speech, Chemistry 3, English--Romance, Economics, American History, Mathematics. I think it was a tossup between the two literature courses, but Soph. Litt...
Show more[postmarked 13 May 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: My great difficulty in the clipping system seems to be to cut them out and then forget to send them. The song may interest you even though it is slightly behind the times. I am to take my course of elections over to Miss Cowley in ten minutes to have her sign them. They are:--English Speech, Chemistry 3, English--Romance, Economics, American History, Mathematics. I think it was a tossup between the two literature courses, but Soph. Litt conflicted with Ec., which conflicted with chemistry, and that chemistry only came one hour, so there was no choice. I don't think I'll change my mind in the next ten minutes! I have heard various things about Miss Salmon's course. The maddening part of it is that everybody volunteers information without your even asking for it. Ruth F. says it is excellent, except that there are far too many topics. Others say she is a very sleepy, dreamy lecturer, and that you can get either nothing or a whole lot out of her course, as you yourself choose. Another obliging information-giver informed me that you ought not to go through college without taking her course. I concluded, not so much from what I was told, as from my own desire, to take it. I don't think I'll be sorry about the chem. From what everyone says, it is the only course for me to take. The only think I am not keen about is the fact that there are two lectures and sic lab hours second semester, but then I won't still be taking English Speech. It counts as a four hour course instead of three. That change was made this year in all the advanced science courses. Miss Wells went over my C plus quiz with me this morning. She was very much amused at me--I was not. I tried to see Miss White in her office hours this morning about the second year of foreign language, but she had a mile of sophomores waiting outside the door, so I did not wait. The major and minor system is new here, starting with '22, and they had to make out cards of sequential study this year and have them approved by the heads of the departments in which they intend to major. I have to read "Les Nouveaux Oberles", five hundred pages, over the week-end. She told us our exam was going to be much more definite than the one at mid-years. I prefer the vague variety. She also told me that she is going to teach at Berkeley next year, and then go back to France the following year. It's a good way of seeing the country all right. The Vassarion is out. It is very good, but it ought to be for $2.50. It says Miss Kitchel graduated from Smith in 1903, but they must mean 1913. I wrote a good theme for her today, at least I thought it was. I hope she will agree. It was just about the longest I have written this year. It was on "Changing Winds". It took long enough to be good. We have a math quiz next Wednesday. I did not send any laundry yesterday. There was not enough to make it necessary to send it; besides which, I forgot it.I made some interesting discoveries in Jewish research in the Vassarion yesterday. Eleanor Gottheil, former member of 1920, was on Sophomore Party Committee and chairman of Sophomore Tree committee, so I guess once in a while a Jewish girl does do something here outside of hobnobbing with her coreligionists. Also, Mrs. Charles Heimerdinger of Lake Tahoe Fame was a former member of 1919. Our Republican Convention in Students' night before last was more or less of a joke. Hoover got the nomination. Prexy was elected for the dark horse. (Dark is the word, is it not?) Ruth Franklin read the Republican platform, which was also more or less of a joke. She did it with the elocution of al[sic] loyal follower of the H. U. C., with true rabbinical mournful intonation. She might just as well have been her father spouting that long prayer that he pulled off for the New Year two years ago. The ten minutes are up. Bess will be waiting. Love, Fannie Search me for the date, but it is the fay before Friday when I have English Speech. Keep cool, Pete.THE SONG THAT WON THE CUP FOR '21 There are some who always make a fuss Because to chapel they must go, And who think it very childish That they should be treated so. But I have seen these very ones On a lively Sprint from Main, And 'though the ushers shut them out They still complain! Oh yes, they still complain! There are some who always make a fuss Because they must be in by ten, And who think it very childish Such a rule should hamper them. But I have seen these very ones On a midnight fire-drill bent, And 'though they're outdoors after ten They're not content! Oh no, they're not content! There are some who always make a fuss Because they cannot go to ride In autos outside college grounds- Or even just inside! But I have seen these very ones Ride in taxis from a train, And 'though they auto be content, They still complain! Oh yes, they still complain! Words by A Goss, '21. Music by I. Grimes, '21.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1920-05-21]
Text: [postmarked 21 May 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I certainly enjoyed Yeats' lecture on Ireland and readings from his own poems last Thursday. Miss Kitchel told us not to expect too much, and I imagine that is why I was very pleasnatly[sic] surprised. He is queer-looking all right, but I suppose that is one of the qualifications of being a poet. We had no exam in English Speech, thank goodness. Today our last recitation. We have covered our grade in Latin, so now the review will...
Show more[postmarked 21 May 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I certainly enjoyed Yeats' lecture on Ireland and readings from his own poems last Thursday. Miss Kitchel told us not to expect too much, and I imagine that is why I was very pleasnatly[sic] surprised. He is queer-looking all right, but I suppose that is one of the qualifications of being a poet. We had no exam in English Speech, thank goodness. Today our last recitation. We have covered our grade in Latin, so now the review will begin. Professor Roselli is to lecture on Cavour next Tuesday, consequently we have one recitation yet. We have gone down to the Great War, and I think I have enjoyed the last few weeks more than the whole year put together. I asked Miss Thallon this morning whether Miss Salmon's course is as stiff as it is made out to be, also whether it is true that sophomores commonly do not take it. She said that there is a weekly topic, but that the recitations are lectures and require practically no preparation. She said that it might be true that more Juniors and Seniors than Sophomores take the course, but that some sophomores do take it, and then wound up with this, "For goodness sake, Fannie, and girl that is capable of doing the high class work that you do does not need to be afraid of any course's being too hard". But the point for me was whether I was making next year too hard. That, after all, is my own worry. It is not that I am not capble[sic] of hard work when I feel well, but it is keeping the balance between study and fun or loafing, whatever you choose to call it. I plan to do most of Monday's work today, and spend tomorrow and Sunday reviewing. The math quiz arrived in the mail this morning. Tell Aunt Hattie that her Friend Miss Palmer of the Latin department, commonly known as Pop-eyes, died recently. She was away this semester on leave of absence, owing to ill-health. Phyllis had her last semester, and she said then that she had outlived her usefulness as a good Latin teacher. That is true of some others I know. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1920-05-19]
Text: [postmarked 19 May 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I fizzles the last of the six questions on the math quiz and I got up at six to study for it! I wish I had slept till seven. Miss Bourne told us all that we will have to review for the exam, and it certainly is a huge amount. I think I'll borrow some one's trot to do it. I don't know how else I will ever get it done. We have started our math review. Our history is certainly interesting now. We have spent the last few...
Show more[postmarked 19 May 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I fizzles the last of the six questions on the math quiz and I got up at six to study for it! I wish I had slept till seven. Miss Bourne told us all that we will have to review for the exam, and it certainly is a huge amount. I think I'll borrow some one's trot to do it. I don't know how else I will ever get it done. We have started our math review. Our history is certainly interesting now. We have spent the last few weeks on going beyond where our text-book stops, taking a country a day practically. Of course it is a lot of work, but it is interesting anyhow. We had the Balkan stated for today. Miss Thallon lived in Greece for a while. How can anyone with her liveliness and general pep spend so much time studying archaology? Pete, when you are so busy, how do you find the time to copy clippings? I wish I had the ingenuity to find time for things like that. It is quite warm now, but I hope it is not going to be so baking hot for exams. [Love, Fannie] I had a history out over chapel last night, and when i was on my way back from the libe to study math, I met Miss Cowley. She hooked her arm in mine, and started to talk, slowly walking over the campus. Before I knew it she had me over at Professor White's house. I told her I would see her some time again, I would rather not go in. So she asked me to wait across the street for her if I would not come in, but she was just going to stay a minute. I thought it would look rather childish to stand across the street waiting for her, so I went up with her. She marched me up there on the porch and presented to Pap White, head of the Math department and supposedly one of the best mathematicians of the country, "Miss Aaron, a future mathematician, a fellow-townsman of mine, and one of my charges". I smiled and looked sweet, (if possible), and Pap White, said, My, all of that?". It was a circus to listen to him kid her. He thinks he is very funny, and he is so stately and dignified looking, that it was quite ridiculous. His wife proceeded to engage herself in a very unanimated conversation with me, telling me about her grandchildren. Then his daughter and son-in-law came out, and I had to meet them. His daughter, by the way, either flunked out of college and came so near it that she had to quit. That sounds worse than the story about Dean Fine, Pete. Well, finally Bess decided to leave, and I told Pap and Mrs. Pap that I was very glad to have met the, (and told myself that I would have liked to defer said pelasure[sic]), and Mrs. Pap asked me to come again when I could stay longer, and I thanked her, and we walked home. I happened to mention to Miss Cowley that I was not looking forward to today's quiz with any degree of pleasure, so she stodd me on the Lathrop steps and proceded to quiz me. I was with her forty minutes. That is why I got p
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1920-05-03]
Text: [postmarked 3 May 1920] Dear Mother, Father, Pete: I just finished copying my long theme. Maybe it does not feel good to have it out of my system. Now I have completely finished my makeup, except for the second math quiz which I missed about ten days ago. I cannot take it until the others who missed it are ready for it, but I am ready for it, so it won't bother me any. Oh, before I forget! I took my quiz over to Miss Wells yesterday and the lunch bell had just rung, so I could not stay....
Show more[postmarked 3 May 1920] Dear Mother, Father, Pete: I just finished copying my long theme. Maybe it does not feel good to have it out of my system. Now I have completely finished my makeup, except for the second math quiz which I missed about ten days ago. I cannot take it until the others who missed it are ready for it, but I am ready for it, so it won't bother me any. Oh, before I forget! I took my quiz over to Miss Wells yesterday and the lunch bell had just rung, so I could not stay. She asked me to come in, and called me by my first name! Miss Kitchel did last week, too. The only one that has not is the Latin still, and I don't care a rip about her. No, I'm not crazy, Pete. Carolyn B. is coming up here tonight. I expect to have a good time with her. I have not seen Lucy for ages. I don't know where she is keeping herself. Elections are due May 14. I shall make them out as we decided at home. The weather is not particularly nice today. It is too cold to sit out. I feel better than yesterday, but not as good as I did for a few days last week. The medicine came from Woods' Drug Store, and I am taking it, but it does not look or taste quite the same as the other. Dr. B. says they are perfectly reliable, though, I shall stop the Poland water when the bunch of bottles on hand is used up--I don't think it is doing any good. Let me know about continuing the medicine. I was sorry to hear in the letter that came yesterday that you won't be able to come for Third Hall, Mother. I am sure you would enjoy it. You have never seen any in the outdoor theater. Will you be here for that, Father, if you come? I forgot to tell you one funny part of the baseball game. Just before the game started a procession marched out into the filed[sic]. They were all arrayed in long yellow skirts, wash-woman shirtwaists, hands on their hips, wash-woman style, hair coiled up in tight little knots on top of their heads, tortoise-shell glasses perched on the ends of their noses, and they carried on their shoulders a wash-line covered here and there with dandelions. The last one had a placard on her back, "Ye Dandelion Chain". The prospective Daisy Chain members must have felt flattered. Otherwise there is nothing new. How is Grandpa? How is Mary? Not that they are of equal importance, but then Mary is a vital part of my life when I am home. I had a letter from Pill yesterday. Their May-Day celebration is evidently going to be very wonderful this year. Every girl in the college is going to take part. The girl in my class who has a sisted in the senior class there now was telling me last night thatit is supposed to be the best they have for ages. She is going there for it, and she thinks it is worth missing Third Hall for. It must be good if it is worth that. The Workshop plays last night were very good, although the Jewish one did not appeal to me very much. I don't think a Christian girl in her senior year at college can quite get the Jewish Spirit. However, the acting was very fine. Edith Meiser is our best actress. She was L'Aiglon in Second Hall. Otherwise there is no news. Oh, yes there is. Exam schedules are out. They start on Thursday, May 27. I have one Saturday, one Monday, one Tuesday, one Thursday, and one Friday. My French exam is the last exam to take place in this college. Isn't that maddening? Although it would be much worse if I wanted to go home right away. The only thing that I don't like is that it is nice to have them over with as soon as possible. There is nothing more particularly startling to write, so I shall desist for today. No, I am not trying to imitate anyone. Excuse me for telling whoppers, Pete. I don't know when I shall leave Metcalf. Love, [Fannie]'23's ROOM DRAWING, IS SUCCESSFUL Josselyn and Lathrop the First Halls to Close The suspense of the last few weeks is over arid '23 knows at last the addresses of its members during sophomore and junior years. On Friday, eighth hour, they gathered before the black bag which was to decide their fate, and filed by in breathless joy or dark despair after seeing their numbers. With some dread, and rather ignorant of the process, they assembled promptly at 10 o'clock Saturday morning and soon learned what was expected of them. The trial draw went smoothly, and was over by lunch time, although there was some discontent among the higher numbers because there was no reservation system. This however greatly simplified the final I draw, the results of which differed considerably from those of the first draw. In the trial draw Lathrop was the first house to close, followed closely by North. In the final draw Josselyn closed first, then Lathrop, then Davison, then North, while Strong and Raymond remained unclosed. The rooms were chosen very rapidly! in the final draw, but every plan seemed | to have changed since morning. Number 1 chose the double 303 Josselyn; number 2 a double in North and number 3 room 201 Lathrop, a corner double room. There was very little I pow-wowing between draws, and the general tendency seemed to be to run out of doors as soon as you had drawn your room. Occasional cries of glee or despair broke the tense silence and I towards the end applause greeted those with high numbers who drew good rooms. There were, of course, some plans upset, and some friends were forced to live even as far apart as the length of the quadrangle, but the will of Fate was accepted on the whole with a good spirit, and fair play and good sportsmanship for the most part prevented the atmosphere from becoming disagreeable. The whole thing was over by five o'clock. It was a pretty successful roomdrawing, but there are a good many petitions for permissions to change especially among the last numbers.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1920-05-20]
Text: [postmarked 20 May 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am sorry my postal did not interest you, Pete. I have been so busy that it is a wonder I had time to write even that. At least I don't spend time copying editorials. P. S. It was interesting and I enjoy reading it. I have to take a second math quiz over the week-end, also write a four hour theme, do Monday's work, and most of my Latin review. Miss Wells said she would give me an average of the other two as a mark, but the...
Show more[postmarked 20 May 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am sorry my postal did not interest you, Pete. I have been so busy that it is a wonder I had time to write even that. At least I don't spend time copying editorials. P. S. It was interesting and I enjoy reading it. I have to take a second math quiz over the week-end, also write a four hour theme, do Monday's work, and most of my Latin review. Miss Wells said she would give me an average of the other two as a mark, but the average is B, so I thought I would try my luck on another one. I am so dopy that I can hardly do anything intelligently, and sleeping and sitting outdoors do not seem to help me any. Our Frnech[sic] is quite interesting now--it is a shame that we had to spend so much time on seventeenth and eighteenth century stuff. There is to be a one-hour course next year in contemporary French literature. That is an innovation, but a very much needed one. I don't know what you mean by asking when I have to give Miss Mullaly an answer. I told her you would be here on the third of June. Is that not definite enough?[enc w/ pm 20 May 1920] Dear Mother, Does the handkerchief lined look all right for fairly good use? My blue figured voile from Franklin Simon last year, is too tight in the bust. it looks very badly, I think. So it might be well to have that in case of very hot weather. However, gingham with a petticoat instead of a slip is practically as cool. I got a note from Aunt Bessie this morning, announcing her intention to go home the next day. I am glad that I have put it across so well that I feel better. The pain itself could be improved upon, and I certainly would enjoy feeling awake a few hours a day anyhow.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-09-26
Text: September 26, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am glad to know, Pete, that you are comfortably settled in a private bath. Now you can use your vicrola to your heart's content. I did not write yesterday, inasmuch as I telegraphed and was very busy. I unpacked my big trunk and then took a bath and a nap yesterday afternoon. Last night we gave the Freshmen of Davison a reception. It certainly was a funny sensation. I saw Miss Thallon yesterday afternoon. She still knows my first name...
Show moreSeptember 26, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am glad to know, Pete, that you are comfortably settled in a private bath. Now you can use your vicrola to your heart's content. I did not write yesterday, inasmuch as I telegraphed and was very busy. I unpacked my big trunk and then took a bath and a nap yesterday afternoon. Last night we gave the Freshmen of Davison a reception. It certainly was a funny sensation. I saw Miss Thallon yesterday afternoon. She still knows my first name! Miss Smith came hurrying up to me yesterday after lunch and she gushed all over me. She was so glad that I was so much better and she said to be sure to take care of myself and not to run the steps unnecessarily, etc. She asked for you, Mother. So did Louise Hewson. When I got up to my room I found a note on my door from Helen. She is in 409 in this hall. She has Elaine Wolf's old room. Elaine is in North this year. I am sorry that she is so close to me, but I guess it will work out all right. Gertrude Allen is here and flourishing. She is more like Dickens' character than ever. I came up to college in a taxi. The road is being fixed. It is torn up all the way to Arlington. I got a little kid to carry my suitcase for me. My wardrobe trunk was delivered last night. The other one is reposing in Main, and will not be brought over until tomorrow. Everything is unpacked except that. I cannot hang my curtains until it comes. We have the new member of the Spanish faculty in Davison this year, also a Swedish and Czecho-Slovak student. The Freshmen look pretty good to me. Do you remember the girl Mrs. Klee told me to look up, Ruth Brandenstein from San Francisco? She has Dorothea's room, and she calls herself Ruth Bransten. My first impression is not good, but I may be mistaken. I would just as soon have the rest of the tribe a few more rooms removed from me. Irene Mott is not coming back this year. She is travelling, and intends to make up this year's work and come back as a Senior next year. I have to go scouting for a gooseneck. Mine was removed during the summer and I cannot get hold of one. I also told Mr. Reid that I would make him a donation (I did not say itthat way) if he would change my bed for an iron-affair instead. I'll get it all right. For one follar he will do whatever you want, and for two he will stand in the hall and call in to find out what you want next. I thought I would split this morning when I came out of the dining room from breakfast with two freshmen and they stood there to let me go out first! I am not used to being a Sophomore yet. I went to see the doctor last night. Dr. T. is in Europe and won't be back for several weeks. Dr. Baldwin will give me the treatments. I am to go this evening. She would have given it to me last night except that she wanted to get a fresh solution of argyrol. Convocation is at eight-forty-five tomorrow. After that come the assignment of classes, as usual. I saw Mr. and Mrs. Kaufmann for the few minutes yesterday afternoon. They had Ruth Lustig with them. I wish you could see how Lucy and Jeannette are rooming with those other two girls. You know the swinging doors in the transepts in Main as you enter, Mother. Well, Lucy and jeannete have two singles on one side of the rood, and these other two girls have two singles on the other side of the door, a little piece down! Mother, Father said I should write to A. Kaufman to congratulate her on her marriage. I disagreed. Should I? R. S. V. P. I have the same P. O. Box and am to share with G. Allen. D.----. Caroline Fay got her first, and got the box to herself that was to go to one of the three of us. It certainly is great to be back and see all the old people. I only hope I'll last this year all right. Everybody asks what sort of a summer you have had, and I have told about six million lies and said, fine. Helen is a very busy young lady. She certainly has more assurance than I had at first. Mother, the pin Father brought home for me is in the lower right hand dresser drawer in my room. Will you please take care of it. It is under the ribbons. Did you call up those three girls? I think I will go and pay some Freshman calls now. Ha Ha! Love, Fannie Please try to get rested and take it a little easy, Mother. Is it possible?
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-09-29
Text: September 29, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I was in the room next to mine when you telephoned last night, about seven o'clock, I think it was. I am glad we finally found each other, each others's voices, I mean. Professor Moulton expects us to know many things that I have forgotten. I suppose they will come back eventually, though, because most of the people that I have spoken to seem to be in the same fix that I am in. Professor Mills took our Ec section today. I hope we...
Show moreSeptember 29, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I was in the room next to mine when you telephoned last night, about seven o'clock, I think it was. I am glad we finally found each other, each others's voices, I mean. Professor Moulton expects us to know many things that I have forgotten. I suppose they will come back eventually, though, because most of the people that I have spoken to seem to be in the same fix that I am in. Professor Mills took our Ec section today. I hope we will always have him. He is very, very interesting. I have a hunch I am going to like that course. We have Miss Dennis (an American who is very good), twice a week in Spanish and Signorita Agostina once a week. We had her today. She talked in Spanish the whole period! It keeps your mind jumping trying to make out what she means when she is talking. I don't think it is going to be a snap course by any means, at least not judging by the speed at which we are starting. I fooled around with Dorothea for a while yesterday afternoon. She has a nice room in Main. I went down to see Miss Smith last night, inasmuch as I had only said how do you do to her before. She was very nice and seems like a different person from last June when she hopped on us. She said that she does not know when she has been as tired as she was then. She told me that Miss Cowley was not yet back, inasmuch as her mother had an accident which just missed killing her. She walked into some dark corner of their place at night and hit her head with all her force. I saw Miss Cowley from the distance today. I have to spend the afternoon reading "The Rescue". It is interesting reading, but I'll never finish it. It took two hours to read a hundred pages. I promised the hairman of Sophomore Party to do some typing for her over the week-end. This is all I have time for today. Mother, doesn't it seem funny to think that I have two professors that you had! And Millsy is anything but an old fogy, too. I wonder if either of them would remember you? How about it? When you send my laundry next week, will you please send along my chemistry problem pamphet[sic]. It is gray paper-bound and I think it is with the school-books and notebooks in the red bookcase by the toy-room door. If you don't find it there, don't bother hunting.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1920-10-18]
Text: [postmarked 18 Oct 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I had not intended writing today again, but when I received the third of your letters which arrived today, Pete, I could not refrain. Of course I realize that your saying you hoped inviting M. W. met with Father's and Mother's approval, I realized that you expected me to comment! I feel duty-bound to do so, at any rate, I am going to--whether you like it or lump it. My reasons for refusing were two. First of all, I thought I...
Show more[postmarked 18 Oct 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I had not intended writing today again, but when I received the third of your letters which arrived today, Pete, I could not refrain. Of course I realize that your saying you hoped inviting M. W. met with Father's and Mother's approval, I realized that you expected me to comment! I feel duty-bound to do so, at any rate, I am going to--whether you like it or lump it. My reasons for refusing were two. First of all, I thought I would be just as well off if I did not go. Secondly, I thought if I refused, perhaps you would get up courage to invite somebody not Henrietta or me, inasmuch as I realized also that certain characteristics of yours which I will refrain from mentioning, would make you faint at the thought of importing a girl from the remote metropolis of Pittsburgh. I am very glad you got the nerve to go through with it. What did you take to revive after inviting her? P. S. --the most important part of the letter. I hope she comes. And Pete, buy her a chrysanthemum, even if it does cost a dollar. Speaking of money, please let me know how much I owe you for Mother's birthday, as I want to send you a check before the next birthday. Nothing exciting happened in classes today. We took Helen Jackson to supper last night and it took forever. It was an awful waste of time, but it was the thing to do, I guess. I then went to Dr. B. and had to wait almost a half hour for her. She said it was a very nice letter and she would answer it today.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-10-01
Text: October 1, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It may interest you to know that the monitor system in chapel has been abolished and that the honor system has been restored. Week-ends are no longer to count as two cuts, so that gives us fifteen cuts straight. Why do you say that the other two girls are an improvement on M? I know they are, but was she snippy when you called her up, or what? I'll have to study some Spanish pronunciation over the week-end. We go at a lightning speed, and...
Show moreOctober 1, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It may interest you to know that the monitor system in chapel has been abolished and that the honor system has been restored. Week-ends are no longer to count as two cuts, so that gives us fifteen cuts straight. Why do you say that the other two girls are an improvement on M? I know they are, but was she snippy when you called her up, or what? I'll have to study some Spanish pronunciation over the week-end. We go at a lightning speed, and I was not there the first day to get all the fancy rules. I got your telegram when I came back at noon, Mother. Thank you. I thought I saw some of those books up in the third floor. I'll order them through the book-story. It is pouring today and has been all night. It is ugly and damp. i read all yesterday afternoon and managed to finish three hundred of the four hundred pages of "The Rescue". We did not discuss it at all today, so evidently we are to finish for the next time. Part of our history work for today was to make inquiries about the various nationalities at Vassar and in Poughkeepsie. I opened your letter and found the clipping about the subject as I was walking into class! I have to do chem, history, and ec this afternoon. My letters, I fear, are tending to become as thrillingly interesting as Pete's. Love, Pete, a gooseneck is a lamp with a flexible tree trunk. Get me? They are used for studying, for burning the midnight electricity, if you are capable of doing that. Wishing you the same. Pete, Miss Smith asked for you most solicitously. You made quite a hit.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: Oct --, 1920 [postmarked 1920-10-13]
Text: [postmarked 13 oct 1920] October --, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I hope the date is right, Pete. I haven't time to look it up. I am writing tomorrow's letter tonight, as I shall be impossibly busy tomorrow. I have a Spanish conference first hour, and classes the other three. I have lab sixth and seventh and an English lecture eighth. Then I have to do Ec for the next day and some more on my topic. Besides which, Farriet has a lot more typing for me to do as soon as I can...
Show more[postmarked 13 oct 1920] October --, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I hope the date is right, Pete. I haven't time to look it up. I am writing tomorrow's letter tonight, as I shall be impossibly busy tomorrow. I have a Spanish conference first hour, and classes the other three. I have lab sixth and seventh and an English lecture eighth. Then I have to do Ec for the next day and some more on my topic. Besides which, Farriet has a lot more typing for me to do as soon as I can possibly find the time. I spent two hours this afternoon reading the Republican and Democratic platforms, and taking profuse notes on both. When i got there tonight, I found that the speeches were very general and dealt with only a few points. Mine was praised as being more definite and more peppy than most of the others. Of course that was not saying much. The meeting took about an hour and then I came back with full intentions of studying. I went down to Jo Marple's room and we proceeded to talk politics (don't laugh, Father) although I don't know what connection that had with the Spanish that I wanted to ask her about. Here I am, with all my good intentions gone to smash. I had Carolyn Bailey over for dinner tonight. She is one peach, and even prettier, if possible. Helen was very much taken with her, but it is no wonder. I hope I will see a lot of her--I missed a good chance to last year when I really could go to her with Freshman difficulties. Carolyn asked me whether I didn't have a brother in last year's class at Princeton. She said she had a very good friend who graduated last June, all of which was not news to me, and that she was looking through his Nassau Herald and say your picture with many honors strung after it. That's what it is to have a renowned brother. Wishing I resembled him, I remain, yours truly. How do you like our new song, a propos of the young Apollo of the chem faculty:-- In the chem lab, Experiemtning[sic], Sat a most ambitious girl, Trying compounds to discover What would give a Grecian curl. Oh Apollo, Oh Apollo, How I wish thy hair were mine, For the truth I cannot swallow, My Marcelle won't last like thine. Every part of him had been criticized previously--the only thing that remained uncriticized was his curly hair.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-10-03
Text: October 3, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: The telescope came today. The scrap-book was here when I got here. You ask whom I have in English. I have Miss Peebles. I don't suppose you know her. She is considered very excellent. My rug is all right. I got a goose-neck, that is, it is in the electrician's being fixed, but I have not got it in my room yet. My rug is all right. Estelle got into Smith. I must write and congratulate her. I hope she stays after January as well. Helen...
Show moreOctober 3, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: The telescope came today. The scrap-book was here when I got here. You ask whom I have in English. I have Miss Peebles. I don't suppose you know her. She is considered very excellent. My rug is all right. I got a goose-neck, that is, it is in the electrician's being fixed, but I have not got it in my room yet. My rug is all right. Estelle got into Smith. I must write and congratulate her. I hope she stays after January as well. Helen is all right. She has only had the dumps once so far, which is more than most Freshmen can say. I believe all the questions are answered now. Mother, do you remember what you did with my thermometer when we packed here last June. It occured to me today that I don't remember unpacking it, and it is well to know where it is in case I should ever want it. I went to town Friday afternoon and walked as far as where the two streets branch out from the Main Stree of Arlington. I walked in from there, too. The track is in good condition from that point in. I bought some fruit at Hicks', left two pictures to be framed, took the material in and ordered a seat from my desk chair, got some shoe polish, etc., got some stuff at the drug store, and did some more odds and ends. It took the better part of the afternoon. Friday evening Mary Heckel and I went to see Miss Cowley, but she was not in, so we left two sweet notes. Then we came up for Helen, and proceeded to get her into a more cheerful humore. That was accomplished by working on her stomach, that is, taking her off campus for some eats. Yesterday I slept most of the morning, and did some work. After lunch I went for a walk. We did not go very fast, so it ought not to have hurt me any. When we returned, we got dressed up and went to the Freshman reception. It was held in Students' this year. I guess it was too cold to have it out in the Circle the way we did last year. The stunts which followed were very good. Our class gave a representation of a girl from a one-horse town starting out for Vassar. Among other things that transpired, her grandmother gives her a boudoir cap to wear in bed on all those days that she sits up in bed to eat the breakfast which the maids bring up on a dainty tray. That brought a general howl. All the rest of the stunts were pantomime. Last night I did some work and had my treatment. I spent this morning reading for English. I finished "TheRescue". This afternoon I took a short walk around the edge of campus through the pine trees, and then i went to the libe and embarked upon my first of the weekly history topics. I am trying to take as my subject the readonds which led to French colonization in America and the reasons which let leter to French immigration. I spent three hours working, and just about half finished it. Those who have had the course say that a topic generally takes about six hours. And now it is time for supper. I expect to spend the evening doing a little Spanish, a little Ec, reading the paper, (I must get the Sunday habit) and typing for Sophmore party. Wishing you the same, Love, Fannie.[enc w/3 Oct 1920] Dear Mother, You have been asking for a report about how I am feeling. So far I must confess that the report is anything but encouraging. The throbs are very much worse than they were at home the last few weeks, decidedly uncomfortably so, in fact. I cannot see any difference in the treatment that might bring it about. She does not use any disinfectant at first, but merely wipes first with cotton that she wets in sterile water. She makes up the argyrol solution herself. Neither of these things could hurt, could they? I took it very easy over this week-end to see if it would help any. It certainly is not encouraging.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-10-05
Text: October 5, 1920 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Gee, I hope I remember to congratualate you on your birthday, Petrosky. If not, I do so now. I had a letter from Estelle this morning. She got in all right. I had four classes straight this morning. My changing classes in Spanish gave me a new English Speech instructor. I don't know how I will like her, but I do know that I got the first favorable criticism for an English Speech instructor that I have gotten since I am taking the old stuff....
Show moreOctober 5, 1920 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Gee, I hope I remember to congratualate you on your birthday, Petrosky. If not, I do so now. I had a letter from Estelle this morning. She got in all right. I had four classes straight this morning. My changing classes in Spanish gave me a new English Speech instructor. I don't know how I will like her, but I do know that I got the first favorable criticism for an English Speech instructor that I have gotten since I am taking the old stuff. I spoke for five minutes from the platform of Assembly hall on the work of the Red Cross in peace-time, (without notes). I seem to have gotten away with it. Miss Salmon spent the whole hour discussing the authority of various works. Not much of what she said was directly connected with American History. It made me think of what you have always said about her, Mother. In English we discussed Conrad with particular emphasis on "The Rescue", and as far as I can make out, arrived at no definite conclusions. In Chem, among other things, we got the problem back which we did in class the other day. The old pill returned mine with "Unintelligible" written on it, merely because I did it in Gorgas style instead of in his. I explained after class, although I don't think that helped an aweful lot. After going over to the lab yeserday, we were informed that the lab work did not start until today. I came back and read two thirds of Conrad's "Youth", then went to hear Mr.----Hooker speak in the outdoor theater on why he is a republican. As far as I can make out, he is a republican because it gives him a good chance to knock the Democrats and to call them the scum of the earth. He started to knock the League of Nations and having university professors running the affairs of the country, and Prexie was sitting right in front of him. Week-ends are no longer to count in chapel cuts, and Sunday chapel is only to count as one cut instead of two. We have a class meeting this afternoon. Love,Mother, I am very sorry to announce that I accidentally got some ink on the red gingham dress, which I am sending home to be washed. You have some stuff to take it out, haven't you? Also, I must have sat down in a chair which was still wet with paint. It was supposed to be dry, but evidetly was not, as I discovered several days later when I put the dress on. I am awefully sorry it happened, but there is no use crying about spilled milk. Have Mrs. Madden do the best she can about it, will you please? Is Mrs. Menges back? I am sorry to report that I am not feeling any better than I have been the past week, which is considerably worse than at home. I am taking it very easy to see if that will help. I think it is probably due to the sudden change in the way I have to live here--it is considerably more strenuous than at home, no matter how lazy I try to be here.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-10-06
Text: October 6, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Tomorrow is the day to congatulate you, isn't it, Pete? I hope I remember. The athletic contest for this fall is on again. I believe I explained it to you last year. The main idea is to see which class gets the greatest number of hours exercise in eight weeks. I don't count against my class, because I have a doctor's excuse. I feel much better today than I felt the past week. It is quite a relief to say the least. I had the...
Show moreOctober 6, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Tomorrow is the day to congatulate you, isn't it, Pete? I hope I remember. The athletic contest for this fall is on again. I believe I explained it to you last year. The main idea is to see which class gets the greatest number of hours exercise in eight weeks. I don't count against my class, because I have a doctor's excuse. I feel much better today than I felt the past week. It is quite a relief to say the least. I had the treatment last night again. I signed up for Speakers' Bureau yesterday. It is a form of non-academic activity that does not involve becoming too tired or doing something athletic. Besides which, it will help the possibilities of my making debate, highly improbable though my making it may be, and it will also help the possibilities of my passing English Speech. It was erroneouly reprted that Sunday chapel was to count only one cut--it counts as two, as always. I think that is wise, because I don't imagine I am the only one who had it all figured out that you could cut every Sunday and still have some cuts left for exam week. I had intended working on my history topic yesterday afternoon, but after my nap Henrietta Seitner came up and staid quite a while. She is here for two days, and it staying with Edith Lowman. By that time it was almost time for our class meeting, which took place seventh hour. I went over to see Phyllis. Her roommate came back from Europe Sunday and arrived here yesterday. I wonder how much Phyllis is going to like shining by reflected light, being "Beatrice Bishop's" roommate. We then went to the class meeting, where we had some hot discussion on the subject of college rings. You know all four classes voted last year to abolish class rings and to adopt a standard college ring. So yesterday we were fussing over the time in the college course to get the rings and whether or not someone who came here for two or three years and did not graduate was entitled to the ring. Of course I thought that it was not necessary to be a graduate, but a great many thought otherwise. The chairman of the Sophomore Party then told us all about the performance. It is going to be very good. It will take place the end of this month. Have you heard anything from Harriet Aaron about the coat? I know both names are spelled worng, but I am in a hurry. I have heaps of work to do today. Love,
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-10-08
Text: October 8, 1920. I had a hunch that something would happen that I would not have time to get off a letter of congratulations to you, or else that I would be too busy to do so. That is why I kept mentioning the fact in all my previous letters. It may also interest you to know that I went to the Messenger Room to send you a telegram and discovered that I did not have any money with me. I considered sending the telegram collect but decided you would refuse it, so I had to come back for the...
Show moreOctober 8, 1920. I had a hunch that something would happen that I would not have time to get off a letter of congratulations to you, or else that I would be too busy to do so. That is why I kept mentioning the fact in all my previous letters. It may also interest you to know that I went to the Messenger Room to send you a telegram and discovered that I did not have any money with me. I considered sending the telegram collect but decided you would refuse it, so I had to come back for the money. The reason I missed the mail yesterday was that I accidentally slept all fifth hour and had lab sixth and seventh. I convered very little ground in lab, because it was so long since I had done any lab work that I looked carefully at everything about three times and considered very carefully before I did anything. However, I did just about as much as anybody else. I spent all last night and early this morning arranging my history topic and doing today's ec. My topic took nearer eight hours than six, but the first is one if more experimental than anything else. Next week's topic is to be on a pioneer, or several pioneers. She suggested that we take some man from the country we took for today. I will either take a Frenchman, or some Western Pioneer. Somehow or other, the latter appeals to me more. Our chem lectures are not hard to get. Professor Moulton does not expect as much. He has not the faculty of making things as clear as Windy Gorgas. Gorgas always explained everything, and Prof. Moulton always says, "Just take my word for it". I am tired of asking him why this or that is so, becuase that is always the answer I get. Ec. is still exceedingly interesting. I am not a shining light in it, but then I always am bashful at first, particularly if there are Juniors and Seniors in the class. And then it makes me so mad if a question is asked and I think I know the answer. Nobody answers and the answer that the instructor gives is exactly what I have been thinking! It doesn't pay not to talk when you think you know something. We have two days, that is the time of preparation for two recitations, to read "Kim" and one other work of Kipling. Spanish is still travelling at a rapid speed. It is interesting, but it is not going to be easy. It will take plenty of time. Mother, I think I wrote the other day that the chem book I wanted was a small gray-paperbound book of printed problems. It was originally Lester's property, so it may have his name on it. I'll try to work off some diplomacy on Dr. B. tonight in re-gard to your letter. I have quite a little typing to do over the week-end for Sophomore party. I also have a lot of reading to do and letters to write. It is a known fact that people don't write to you unless you write to them, and it is my turn in almost every case. Helen is existing very nicely. She get's enough specials and telegrams from Jake to make life bearable to her. I have not made out yet whether Miss Salmon makes any pretence of giving a course in American History. As far as I can make out, it is mainly a course in rambling talk about everything under the sun. We are to have conferences with her soon. I imagine that she takes her opportunity then of telling us where our faults lie and how we can overcome them, and by what process we can eventually read every American history book in the library. Love, Fannie.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-10-10
Text: October 10, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am very sorry that I forgot to send Friday's and Saturday's letters special. I guess you are sorrier, Father. I just finishes typing another batch of stuff for Sophomore Committee. I got a note last night from the chairman of the "General Service Committee" telling me that I was on her committee and kindly to let her know if I type. I wonder what she things I have been doing for Harriet this past week. I guess that means...
Show moreOctober 10, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am very sorry that I forgot to send Friday's and Saturday's letters special. I guess you are sorrier, Father. I just finishes typing another batch of stuff for Sophomore Committee. I got a note last night from the chairman of the "General Service Committee" telling me that I was on her committee and kindly to let her know if I type. I wonder what she things I have been doing for Harriet this past week. I guess that means I am not in the performance. I believe only about half the class are to be in it, and those are to be taken from those who dance and sing well. I hope you can change your plans for your trip. I don't see the possibility of missing the party and I would like to have you with me when I get the coat. I have not had that letter from C. Harriet which she said she would write. I took two pillors with me yesterday afternoon and I nestled down in one of the cloisters of the chapel and read for two and a half hours. I read last night for one hour, and covered three hundred of the four hundred and sixty pages of "Kim". I like it pretty well. Mr. Masaryak, Czecho-Slovak ambassador (or minister?) to America, adressed us in chapel last night. He is going to sail for Europe in a few days. He spoke quite well and in almost perfect English, on the hopes of his country. I took my typing down to Harriet Haynes and spent an hour talking to her last night. She is a peach of a girl. I want to get to know her better. Somehow or other I have always had that episode of leaving her roommate in Raymond to go to Main last year in my mind. I suppose it is foolish to think of it. I had one of the Czech girls in my room the over evening. She is unusually nice, compared with the average foreign student in college. She comes from Prague. She was in Carlsbad last summer. She says all the hotels are open. They are not crowded, but there are enough people to pay them to stay open. Most of the guests are Austrian and German and the last two years lots of Vienaa people went there to live because they could get more food than at home if they had the price to pay for it. Pupp's is going at full force with daily orchestra concerts. The Czecho-Slovak government has just bought the bath-houses at Marienbad from German owners, but they don't control any of the Kur establishments in Carlsbad. I don't know how much of this is news to you. I am going to have a very busy day today. Love, Fannie.[enc w 10 Oct 1920] Dear Mother, I am sick today, so don't let that worry you about the future week-end. I am glad it is Sunday, so that I can stay in bed without missing classes. I had planned to go to the Libe this afternoon and start my history topic, but I think I'll stay in bed and do other things instead. Let me know what you think about what I told you of the talk with Dr. B. Also, what about the thermometer? Also, I am guilty of the bone-headed stupidity of leaving all my belts for today's purpose at home. How I did it is beyond me. They are in the botton slide drawer of the new chest in the little room. There may be some in the bottom drawer of the chiffonier in there. Will you please send them in the next laundry.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-10-11
Text: October 11, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I don't know when i have accomplished as much as I did yesterday. I did two days' Spanish and English (and that meant an aweful lot of reading), and extra Ec. reading assignment, two days' Ec, English Speech, read the paper, wrote some letters, talked to Lucy for over an hour and then to a lot of other people. I shall be quite busy today. I have lab this afternoon, and then I must get a start on my history topic, and look up...
Show moreOctober 11, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I don't know when i have accomplished as much as I did yesterday. I did two days' Spanish and English (and that meant an aweful lot of reading), and extra Ec. reading assignment, two days' Ec, English Speech, read the paper, wrote some letters, talked to Lucy for over an hour and then to a lot of other people. I shall be quite busy today. I have lab this afternoon, and then I must get a start on my history topic, and look up some dope on the party platforms. I have to write a paper for Ec for next Monday on the economic influences in my own city. We are supposed to show how location and natural products and advantages or disadvantages influence the industries, life, occupations, etc. In case the Chamber of Commerce gets out any dope on the subject could you send it to me, Father, so that I have it by Friday or Saturday at the latest. The reason I thought they might is that Omaha gets out such a pamphlet and I thought we might be as progressive as Omaha. I let somebody use my typewriter the other day and it has been sticking ever since. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-10-12
Text: October 12, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Lester, I sent you a book from Lindmark's, the bookstore in Poughkeepsie, the early part of last week. Haven't you received it? You said nothing about it, so I imagine you have not gotten it. Does the family intend to come East for the footblal games? I have never heard that. There is no doubt of the fact that there is a good deal of chasing and excitement in connection with them, so perhaps it would be wise to let well enough alone...
Show moreOctober 12, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Lester, I sent you a book from Lindmark's, the bookstore in Poughkeepsie, the early part of last week. Haven't you received it? You said nothing about it, so I imagine you have not gotten it. Does the family intend to come East for the footblal games? I have never heard that. There is no doubt of the fact that there is a good deal of chasing and excitement in connection with them, so perhaps it would be wise to let well enough alone and be satisfied with the way I am getting along and not try anything very strenuous. What do you think? Besides which, for some reason I don't feel particularly enthusiastic about going this year. I don't know why. Pete, I thought you were going to take a young lady to one of them this year. I don't see why you dont, in fact, I think you should. All of which is your business, you will say. I was quite tired after lab yesterday. I certainly work slowly and feel more or less lost in the course. Prof. Moulton is not what I would call a good teacher. The notebooks that you sent will probably be useful, Mother, although neither is the one that I meant. Perhaps it is not around at home. After lab yesterday I went to hear Mr. Morgenthau make a political speech. He took only one phase of the democratic side, the league. He called Hays a Machiavelli and a Mephistopheles. He also said that somebody said in regard to Harding's head, there is nothing there, not even a cavity. I don't think I learned anything from his speech. I guess that is the trouble with most political speeches. I have to go over to the libe this afternoon and get some dope on the democratic and republican platforms. Tonight is the first meeting of Speakers' Bureau and that is the subject announced. It is a good joke for Earickeloo, isn't it, Father? At any rate I won't say that the Republican platform is made out of wood, the way I did to Marse in all seriousness eight years ago. Miss Salmon apologizes profusely this morning for having to give us two cuts this week, because she said to go to some celebration or other at Ann Arbor, her alma mater. We thought the apologies were entirely uncalled for, and showed as much. We get a cut in English tomorrow, but have to go to hear Miss Whylie lecture on "Definitions of Romance" instead. Lucy came home with me for dinner last night. You and she would make a good cox team, Pete.I was called from slumberland last night at eleven by that deadly fire alarm. When the drill was over, we discovered that Helen had not made her appearance. So the whole half of the corridor burst in on her to discover the reason and mercilessly woke her out of a sound sleep. She had not even heard that awful bell, and it rang without stopping for four minutes. We certainly kidded her about it. Love, Fannie
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