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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1923-05-24]
Text: [postmarked 24 May 1923] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Amen. I just wrote my last word on my seminar "encyclopedia". It is 103 double-spaced pages, exclusive of bibliography and table of contents. Now I have to spend all tomorrow reading it, correcting, etc. It will be a most boring job. Miss Cowley paid me a one hour call last night. I was amazed, at her viewpoint in advising me about next year. She urged me to take a rest, and not to tie myself down beyond maybe "dabbling...
Show more[postmarked 24 May 1923] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Amen. I just wrote my last word on my seminar "encyclopedia". It is 103 double-spaced pages, exclusive of bibliography and table of contents. Now I have to spend all tomorrow reading it, correcting, etc. It will be a most boring job. Miss Cowley paid me a one hour call last night. I was amazed, at her viewpoint in advising me about next year. She urged me to take a rest, and not to tie myself down beyond maybe "dabbling" at Pitt. She said--"Look at me, up here teaching year after year even since I left college. It doesn't pay unless you have to do it". I certainly was surprised at her, the grind of brinds, and typical student, to advocate loafing. She was so urgent in it, and meant it so sincerely, that I really felt sorry for her. I always thought that she thoroughly enjoyed her monotonous life, but I guess she hasn't always. Classes are over Wednesy, May 30, Mother. There is no intermission before exams. The typewriter ribbons came. Once again, the dress is all right! Let me know about the lot. It sounds good, but I don't picture the location exactly. Don't forgot, as I'm actually most interested! My exams are not bunched, Mother. I have only two actual exams Thursday A. M. and one Saturday afternoon. The number of the house is 18, the same street as the Wagner Inn and McGlynn's. I'll have to go and investigate to find out the name of the street. I don't know it. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1921-05-26]
Text: Thursday. Dear Mother + Father: Am managing to [get] thru with my work all right, but it is keeping [megting]. I celebrated last night by getting an extra long sleep. Am going to lab today from lunch till 4. AM then going out to the Dobson state to see Edith Wynne Matthison in "Electra". It is a gorgeous day. Carolyn B. told me that she, her mother, and father called on [you Friday.] Otherwise nothing new. Love, Fannie Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Aaron, Hotel Ambassador, Atlantic City, N.J.

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1922-05-26]
Text: [postmarked 26 May 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Do you want to leave Thursday morning or afternoon? R. S. VP. right away so that I can tell Helen. She does not finish her last exam until 12:50, so if we go in the aft, she can go with us, otherwise she can't. I just happened to come across the clipping you sent about Miss Yost today--I had read the wrong side of the paper. This is her first year as Dean of Stanford--she is V. C. '05. I mean Dean of Women. She was taught...
Show more[postmarked 26 May 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Do you want to leave Thursday morning or afternoon? R. S. VP. right away so that I can tell Helen. She does not finish her last exam until 12:50, so if we go in the aft, she can go with us, otherwise she can't. I just happened to come across the clipping you sent about Miss Yost today--I had read the wrong side of the paper. This is her first year as Dean of Stanford--she is V. C. '05. I mean Dean of Women. She was taught Freshman English, narrative writing, and arguemtnation[sic]. She thought I "had a lot of dope on myself" and quite approved of me--otherwise I couldn't hand her a terrible lot! In that, she showed good sense, however. I went to bed at four-thirty yesterday afternoon in a vain attempt to shake off being sleepy, but as yet feel just as sleepy. I think it is a disease of some sort! I am still buried in "The Ring and the Book". As soon as I finish that, I shall start studying for exams. I have a terrific am't to do for the two Friday Biology ones, and French Rev on Saturday, but very little for J on Monday and Social Psych on Tuesday. That is real luck!This marks the last of Peru, Indiana, with Davison address. I feel more "Seniorish than ever. I forgot to tell you yesterday that the night before Mrs. MacCracked join Peggy Higgins and me and told us that Maizrie was following our example, and had just particpated in her first debate, "Resolved that it is More Profitable to Live in the Country than in the City". Whereupon her grandmother said that she had won the debate, and felt infinitely more important than any of us did in our most glorious moments of victory! She is thirteen and in her first year of high school. I had a letter from Louise the other day Mother. She said she had seen you and you "did look so well". The letter was the heighth[sic] of illiteracy, otherwise very enjoyable. Love, Fannie[eve w/ pm 26 May 1922] Dear Mother: Helen and I got our heads together for an hour and a half yesterday afternoon and decided that we wanted to give a Vassar Endowment Fund dance at the country club the end of June. Now don't laught[sic] but listen to our plan. In the first place, Dot Krolick's older V. C. sister, Rutn Franklin, and another Vassar girl gave one at their club in Detroit Christmas vacation, charged five dollars a couple, and make four hundred and fifty dollars--and they paid for the club and music and everybody has, is doing, or will do something at home efore next fall in the way of earning something because nothing has ever been done like that at home among the elites Jews, at least for ages, and so some people would buy tickets even if they wouldn't come. We don't know officially, but we though we could get the country club and music and what food we would have to buy for $100, and programs--V. C. ones. Then we thought we could charge $5 a couple, and all our pleasure seeking youth at home would come--it wouldn't cost them any more than coming out there for a Saturday night dinner-dance--less, in fact. And then we thought a good many people of "your age" would buy a ticket out of the kindness of their hearts--like a "church benefit", you know! We could work like the dickens ourselves and make sandwiches--and perhaps some kind sould like--well, maybe you, Mrs. Hertz, Mrs. Kaufmann, Cousin Rachel, and a few others, would give us a cake or two. And Mr. Fishel might even give some ice-cream. Then after that, we wouldn't beg any more. We would not have any waiters--we would serve ourselves and get Lucy, Helen J.Class Insecta Order [Orthoptop] Locustetc., and some yo nger kids--fifteen and sixteen year olds who yould feel highly flattered and important, to help us serve. And we would give it a lot of publicity, and be very nice asking people to buy tickets, and we thought we could make somewhere between $200 and #300 above our expenses. We would do a lot of cheap rose and gray decorations and try to make it as Vassar-y as possible. We thought we could seel at tickets to seventy-five couples--counting the kids just younger than us, and kind grown-ups who wouldn't turn you down for five dollars. We think people would want to encourage our good intention, etc. and for the sake of the novelty of it buy tickets, and "think it just grand what college does for girls nowadays, and we do wish we could have had such a privilege, too". It will all depend, or course, upon what happens to me with the M.D.s, but I hardly think anything would interfere so late in June, or very early in July. What do you think of the idea? Throw cold water on it, if you think it is really impossible, but we think it is very hopeful. At any rate, or one thing we are certain--and that is that we are going to earn something somehow this summer for the Fund--and the more we make the merrier. We concluded by saying--that we certainly couldn't lose any money, and so no harm would be done.! P. S. do you think the club might let us have the dining-room floor "cheap" for the cause? I doubt it myself. R. S. V. P. immediately. We have the spirit!!!!!!!!!!!For Mother Planaria Showing alimentary canal anterior end eye spots posterior end redraw [showing] width in [drawing] of alimentary canal < > For Mother
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1922-05-26]
Text: [postmarked 26 May 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Do you want to leave Thursday morning or afternoon? R. S. VP. right away so that I can tell Helen. She does not finish her last exam until 12:50, so if we go in the aft, she can go with us, otherwise she can't. I just happened to come across the clipping you sent about Miss Yost today--I had read the wrong side of the paper. This is her first year as Dean of Stanford--she is V. C. '05. I mean Dean of Women. She was taught...
Show more[postmarked 26 May 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Do you want to leave Thursday morning or afternoon? R. S. VP. right away so that I can tell Helen. She does not finish her last exam until 12:50, so if we go in the aft, she can go with us, otherwise she can't. I just happened to come across the clipping you sent about Miss Yost today--I had read the wrong side of the paper. This is her first year as Dean of Stanford--she is V. C. '05. I mean Dean of Women. She was taught Freshman English, narrative writing, and arguemtnation[sic]. She thought I "had a lot of dope on myself" and quite approved of me--otherwise I couldn't hand her a terrible lot! In that, she showed good sense, however. I went to bed at four-thirty yesterday afternoon in a vain attempt to shake off being sleepy, but as yet feel just as sleepy. I think it is a disease of some sort! I am still buried in "The Ring and the Book". As soon as I finish that, I shall start studying for exams. I have a terrific am't to do for the two Friday Biology ones, and French Rev on Saturday, but very little for J on Monday and Social Psych on Tuesday. That is real luck!This marks the last of Peru, Indiana, with Davison address. I feel more "Seniorish than ever. I forgot to tell you yesterday that the night before Mrs. MacCracked join Peggy Higgins and me and told us that Maizrie was following our example, and had just particpated in her first debate, "Resolved that it is More Profitable to Live in the Country than in the City". Whereupon her grandmother said that she had won the debate, and felt infinitely more important than any of us did in our most glorious moments of victory! She is thirteen and in her first year of high school. I had a letter from Louise the other day Mother. She said she had seen you and you "did look so well". The letter was the heighth[sic] of illiteracy, otherwise very enjoyable. Love, Fannie[eve w/ pm 26 May 1922] Dear Mother: Helen and I got our heads together for an hour and a half yesterday afternoon and decided that we wanted to give a Vassar Endowment Fund dance at the country club the end of June. Now don't laught[sic] but listen to our plan. In the first place, Dot Krolick's older V. C. sister, Rutn Franklin, and another Vassar girl gave one at their club in Detroit Christmas vacation, charged five dollars a couple, and make four hundred and fifty dollars--and they paid for the club and music and everybody has, is doing, or will do something at home efore next fall in the way of earning something because nothing has ever been done like that at home among the elites Jews, at least for ages, and so some people would buy tickets even if they wouldn't come. We don't know officially, but we though we could get the country club and music and what food we would have to buy for $100, and programs--V. C. ones. Then we thought we could charge $5 a couple, and all our pleasure seeking youth at home would come--it wouldn't cost them any more than coming out there for a Saturday night dinner-dance--less, in fact. And then we thought a good many people of "your age" would buy a ticket out of the kindness of their hearts--like a "church benefit", you know! We could work like the dickens ourselves and make sandwiches--and perhaps some kind sould like--well, maybe you, Mrs. Hertz, Mrs. Kaufmann, Cousin Rachel, and a few others, would give us a cake or two. And Mr. Fishel might even give some ice-cream. Then after that, we wouldn't beg any more. We would not have any waiters--we would serve ourselves and get Lucy, Helen J.Class Insecta Order [Orthoptop] Locustetc., and some yo nger kids--fifteen and sixteen year olds who yould feel highly flattered and important, to help us serve. And we would give it a lot of publicity, and be very nice asking people to buy tickets, and we thought we could make somewhere between $200 and #300 above our expenses. We would do a lot of cheap rose and gray decorations and try to make it as Vassar-y as possible. We thought we could seel at tickets to seventy-five couples--counting the kids just younger than us, and kind grown-ups who wouldn't turn you down for five dollars. We think people would want to encourage our good intention, etc. and for the sake of the novelty of it buy tickets, and "think it just grand what college does for girls nowadays, and we do wish we could have had such a privilege, too". It will all depend, or course, upon what happens to me with the M.D.s, but I hardly think anything would interfere so late in June, or very early in July. What do you think of the idea? Throw cold water on it, if you think it is really impossible, but we think it is very hopeful. At any rate, or one thing we are certain--and that is that we are going to earn something somehow this summer for the Fund--and the more we make the merrier. We concluded by saying--that we certainly couldn't lose any money, and so no harm would be done.! P. S. do you think the club might let us have the dining-room floor "cheap" for the cause? I doubt it myself. R. S. V. P. immediately. We have the spirit!!!!!!!!!!!For Mother Planaria Showing alimentary canal anterior end eye spots posterior end redraw [showing] width in [drawing] of alimentary canal < > For Mother
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1922-05-26]
Text: IK /H^rdi.^. 142 main hai_u vassar college poughkeepsie, n. y. Dear Mother. Father, and Pete: I spent the morning on debate. We had an hour and a half session^'with Miss Blbson this " morning. She was very helpful However, our poor negative team has a tremendous amoujtt of Inforinatior to gather before next Gati^rday, or ri^lday, rather. I shall spend the afternoon on Deaate a.'d the evening on acadeniio work, strange to say! MarJorie Falk is up with Elsa S. for the week-end....
Show moreIK /H^rdi.^. 142 main hai_u vassar college poughkeepsie, n. y. Dear Mother. Father, and Pete: I spent the morning on debate. We had an hour and a half session^'with Miss Blbson this " morning. She was very helpful However, our poor negative team has a tremendous amoujtt of Inforinatior to gather before next Gati^rday, or ri^lday, rather. I shall spend the afternoon on Deaate a.'d the evening on acadeniio work, strange to say! MarJorie Falk is up with Elsa S. for the week-end. They paid me a lengthy call yester-day inorninK. I was dyin- to get the libe, rut I couldn't very well, I am havin,^; Ihe/a over for dinnsr this noon. Second Kali, '^Candida'' was quite ;^'ood la:-rt night. It i^ too bad that they didn't " pick a play with more - than two women's parts, hov/ever. harian Cahill is up for the week-end. She had dinner with me ano went to the play with me last night• Gee, she is brainy!"' Father, do you have storage facilities for coal at the pottery? For how long a period would it be possible to buy coal? Also, is spontaneous combustion a serious dB»wback for storing it? And don't you think that the diffi-142 main hai_u vassar college poughkeepsie, n. y. cultloB Of transportatiO:i, ^ross-haulln^, etc) can ue adequately -^.^ulat?:- o^ tne Iiitc^r ^tate Coa .iBnlü^i an* pL'.iuiv-.t '^^cfu' o.n;'-io- rliliily • "u; ^ Ii r tenpo^ai-,^ px-enent iilaoa:- com l lens ioo, rat v"it:n ^r-./'-'tui« man da t-O".^ povrer.sj TIiuf t; c- ineffIcieu-y cUid coPtli-- uf jov^nr-nment ow-^ei^Hhlp and opox-ation aO .1-1 dB avoid^u, : pi^es^-t (V fj^iC'.^ltieß ta;.e cano f? Tliat 1b lay present stand fcr the last speech. I trust to luck that those who know about Duslness and have practical experience willagree! The pottery information 1b for- me personally, P ease ■ answer immediately, if possible, as I Ü^-ttin^ my speech intooshape on that basis, I haven't done a stroke of academic work since last Sunday! We are planning to leave here Friday morning at ten, and get to Smith about four. The debate ie next Saturday night. Kindly note that I have supplied the desired information» The wldte sweater didn^t fit at all, Mother, BO- I am glad I got such a pretty one here ^t was pure Imck that I waB able' to. Tho other one is beautfful, I thiuk possibly I could wear a size smaller, so I may return142 main hai_u vassar college poughkeepsie, n. y. it and ^et tiie other one Bpring vacation 1*1]. see tonight. ■ It is heantifulT Thanks heaps. May he I can help win the debate on appearancerr/-my new white pleated flannel skl:rt and sweater certainly do look nice! Lkxst get ready for dinner now. It n- a lovely waria day, and very slushy. Will ^e glad to see y<Su at the debate, hut you k..ow best what your strength will allow• So far we aren't very good, but I trust we will be by Saturday! Aren't you just 'a wee bit foolish' to trave] all that distance to hear ■me debate?! Love, Fannie If you go, you had better get Pete to get you a room, as we are having a large delegation, I think, and most of them will have to be put up at Inns, etc., tiie Smith chairman wrote. Wellesley is in quarantine for Scarlet Fever and we dOr^ * t know if their team will come or not, I^d JUöt as soon come home for vacation, and get some good Bridget nourishment.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1923-05-28]
Text: Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Received the following note from Aunt Carrie today:--"We wish to thank you for your letter of congratulation to Phillip's confirmation. We are well and hope you are likewise. Accept our congratulations to your graduation, which event will soon take place. Love to you from Hanauers"!!!! To think that I once accused Uncle Hugo of being too literal! Trunks are down already. It's terrible. You certainly don't need Tuxedos. You won't...
Show moreDear Mother, Father, and Pete: Received the following note from Aunt Carrie today:--"We wish to thank you for your letter of congratulation to Phillip's confirmation. We are well and hope you are likewise. Accept our congratulations to your graduation, which event will soon take place. Love to you from Hanauers"!!!! To think that I once accused Uncle Hugo of being too literal! Trunks are down already. It's terrible. You certainly don't need Tuxedos. You won't need a lot of clothes. I should suggest a thin voile for all occasions, as I can't believe that the present delightful weather will continue. You really don't have to dress much. I guess you ought to wear something that looks nice for Prexie's reception--otherwise you needn't bother at all. That's all I know. If that doesn't suffice, ask Lucy. Love, Fannie
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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 1922-05-04]
Text: [postmarked 4 May 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I said "Amen" over my first psych topic last night. It is twenty-one pages long--I guess they will mark it without reading it, all right. Just when I need it most, my Corona has gone off, and I am using a borrowed one, with a different key-board. If I have time, I'll take it to town tomorrow. Heard Dr. T's first Junior Hygiene lecture last night. Hope the others prove more profitable. I shall have to stew over...
Show more[postmarked 4 May 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I said "Amen" over my first psych topic last night. It is twenty-one pages long--I guess they will mark it without reading it, all right. Just when I need it most, my Corona has gone off, and I am using a borrowed one, with a different key-board. If I have time, I'll take it to town tomorrow. Heard Dr. T's first Junior Hygiene lecture last night. Hope the others prove more profitable. I shall have to stew over elections over the week-end. They are due on the eleventh. I may not take any more English and double in history instead. I am sick of taking English because I think "I should" I hated Romance last year and I certainly haven't enjoyed J. much this year. And I have come to--the conclusion that it is not training my mind any, because I do very little thinking in class and spend most of the time being bored. We shall see. I should like to take Miss Thompson's "Civil War and Reconstruction" and Miss Brown's "History of Tolerance". But I'll have to work it out and see what is what. If I take English, I'll take the development course in drama..and probably be bored. Excuse the punctuation-- as you notice the period is in the wrong place. Had a letter from Dr. F. today confirming yourtelegram. It certainly seems much more sensible to me to put going to N.Y. off till June. I will be able to finish my work without killing myself this way. Bill W. is not coming, Pete. He wrote to her that he had another engagement. I sis not take up your suggestion, because I have no week-end to play away. The Miscellany had this heading:.."Judges give decision to Vassar". I thought that was very good and very telling. That certainly was exactly the way the matter stood. A friend of mine had a letter from the secretary to the president of Brown. He told her they dent their best-looking representatives and not their best debaters! I am glad we were spared from their best, if there were not the best! Miss Thompson initiated us into Delta Sigma Rho the other night on the steps of Rocky, to the infinite amusement of us and all curious passers-by. I'll tell you all about it sometime, even though it may be a secret!! We elected Betty Cannon president of the chapter for the year, and expect to put it in the Misc as a joke!! Otherwise I know nothing, except that I have to study for a big written in Zo tomorrow. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1922-05-08]
Text: [postmarked 8 May 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I sent the whole morning and half the afternoon reading for my second psych topic, walked for a half hour, and slept an hour. I wanted to do more work, but my pep gave out. Read friend Browning all yesterday afternoon in a steamer chair on the infirmary porch. It was a gorgeous day, so I asked them is I couldn't sit out there. Then got dressed and watched the grand march and first dance of Senior Prom. Worked all last night. And...
Show more[postmarked 8 May 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I sent the whole morning and half the afternoon reading for my second psych topic, walked for a half hour, and slept an hour. I wanted to do more work, but my pep gave out. Read friend Browning all yesterday afternoon in a steamer chair on the infirmary porch. It was a gorgeous day, so I asked them is I couldn't sit out there. Then got dressed and watched the grand march and first dance of Senior Prom. Worked all last night. And that is my life History. I'll send the names of the books for my third psych topic tomorrow, Mother. And then could you please go over and send them soon, or else send Sam for them, as I want to start it by Friday, if possible. After that I won't bother you. Pete, are you working terribly hard? Hard enough not to bat off for a week end or else a day and a half. What I am driving at is--how would you like to come down for Third Hall next week end? The country is so marvelous now, and plays in the Outdoor Theater are so wonderful that I think you would enjoy it if you have the time. It is always a big college occasion. Let me know if you can come. I imagine you are to busy, but it would be great if you could. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1923-05-09]
Text: [postmarked 9 May 1923] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I certainly did ask Aunt Hattie for Commencement. I asked her last year once, and I asked them in your presence at our hourse one evening Spring vacation, and Aunt Hattie answered "No, thank you" so quickly and so snippily before I even finished my sentence that I felt I was offending her by asking. I certainly don't know what she is peeved about. Am returning two sweaters in the laundry, insured. Also sent the dress to...
Show more[postmarked 9 May 1923] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I certainly did ask Aunt Hattie for Commencement. I asked her last year once, and I asked them in your presence at our hourse one evening Spring vacation, and Aunt Hattie answered "No, thank you" so quickly and so snippily before I even finished my sentence that I felt I was offending her by asking. I certainly don't know what she is peeved about. Am returning two sweaters in the laundry, insured. Also sent the dress to Miss Shanz today. I pinned the neck, and that necessitates lowering the center of the girdle a little, I pinned that, too. But I forgot to put a note in saying that raising the neck shortens the dress in front, and it will therefore need lengthening across the front, from side panel to side panel. If you call her up, it will save my writing. The crowning blow to my crowded career is that in stead of an Exam in Tolerance we'll proably have a "prepare in advance" topic! I'm sure I don't know when I'll do it! Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1922-11-22]
Text: [postmarked 22 Nov 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Saw "The Book of Job" last night. If Job had realized how near the back of the room I was he wouldn't have talked into his beard and he wouldn't have talked so fast, and then i would have known what it was all about. But as it was, it was too philosophical for my little mind. However, the artistic effect was spendid, and so was the music. I understand that Mr. Tonks in lecturing to baby Art this morning emitted a...
Show more[postmarked 22 Nov 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Saw "The Book of Job" last night. If Job had realized how near the back of the room I was he wouldn't have talked into his beard and he wouldn't have talked so fast, and then i would have known what it was all about. But as it was, it was too philosophical for my little mind. However, the artistic effect was spendid, and so was the music. I understand that Mr. Tonks in lecturing to baby Art this morning emitted a very undignified yawn and said, "Excuse me--that is a hang-over from the Book of Job"! Father, I must have left the newspaper with the acc't of Herr President in New York. Knowing how you "like to please the kids" (!) dare I suppose that you have another one at hime. Will you please send me one, or get me one and send it, as I wan't it for my scrapbook. Thank you muchly. I am going to walk to town today with Helen. It is Vassar day down town--eighty of the stores are giving part of their profits of today's sales to Poughkeepsie branch of the AI. Association for their endowment fund pledges. So I shall get Louise's present, etc. Love, Fannie Don't forget "The Mind in the Making" Mother.[enc w/ pm 22 Nov 1922] Dear Mother: The last laundry I got back came minus one pair silk bloomers and one pair drawers. Were they kept home for mending? You might have the laundry list put back in the clean laundry in the future--otherwsie[sic] my sending home a list would not act as any kind of a check---Mother
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1922-11-25]
Text: [postmarked 25 Nov 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Please send Ibsen's "Ghosts" and "Dolls' House" in the next laundry. I need them fro Drama. The box came from Stevenson's. Thank you very much for it. The pictures from Atlantic also came the other day. The one of you is excellent, Father but I don't think yours is good, Mother? For one thing, I am more interested in your face than your hat, and the former is obstructed by the latter. Marse...
Show more[postmarked 25 Nov 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Please send Ibsen's "Ghosts" and "Dolls' House" in the next laundry. I need them fro Drama. The box came from Stevenson's. Thank you very much for it. The pictures from Atlantic also came the other day. The one of you is excellent, Father but I don't think yours is good, Mother? For one thing, I am more interested in your face than your hat, and the former is obstructed by the latter. Marse invites me to spend Thanksgiving day in New York with him and go to theater, but I think it foolish inasmuch as I have all Christmas vacation to go to theater there. Heard an exceedingly interesting two hour discussion of the Near Eastern situation last night by Mr. Paxton Hibben. He's strong for Russia but exceedingly interesting. Love, Fannie I'm off to my topics for the afternoon.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1922-11-26]
Text: November 26, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: There is nothing new to report outside of a delicious sleep till amost[sic] ten this morning this morning, and a long walk before lunch. At present I am interrupting the reading of Hamlet" for Drama to write to you. Elizabeth left for home last night--she got special permission to take her extra days before Thanksgiving because she was invited to a wedding! Absolutely nothing to tell you. Oh, yes--I get my famous re-sitting tomorrow, in...
Show moreNovember 26, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: There is nothing new to report outside of a delicious sleep till amost[sic] ten this morning this morning, and a long walk before lunch. At present I am interrupting the reading of Hamlet" for Drama to write to you. Elizabeth left for home last night--she got special permission to take her extra days before Thanksgiving because she was invited to a wedding! Absolutely nothing to tell you. Oh, yes--I get my famous re-sitting tomorrow, in honor of which I had a shampoo yesterday. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1921-11-03]
Text: [postmarked 3 Nov 1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I wish I were not so terribly busy. I have been on the go every minute today. I cannot admire the speed with which your friend writes letters, Lester. So far I have had no word from her except her telegram. i wrote to Aunt Bessie as soon as I heard from you, Pete. I will wire you to Princeton. I have not head from her yet. I shall take the 4:13 and go as far as Jamaica, with Betty Cannon. She is going there for the week-end. I saw Polly...
Show more[postmarked 3 Nov 1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I wish I were not so terribly busy. I have been on the go every minute today. I cannot admire the speed with which your friend writes letters, Lester. So far I have had no word from her except her telegram. i wrote to Aunt Bessie as soon as I heard from you, Pete. I will wire you to Princeton. I have not head from her yet. I shall take the 4:13 and go as far as Jamaica, with Betty Cannon. She is going there for the week-end. I saw Polly Teel yesterday. She asked for you, Pete. She told me she has a cute picture of you, Pete, that she will show me. Today she told me that she was reading the "screamyiest letter" she had ever gotten and that I would die when i heard from whom it was--a cowboy that she met in Colorado this summer! I said that if they were anything like the Estes ones, I couldn't quite see how she would enjoy the correspondence. She said they were alike, quite alike! It was written in pencil and thorughly[sic] illiterate. I have a Socialism written tomorrow. These have been two terrificaly busy days. Monday night the committee gave a mock debate, taking off the debaters, and spoke on the subject, "Resolved that 'Devils' are injurious the system". We laughed till we were crying, after wich demonstation we adjourned off campus to a party given by the chairman. I wish I had time to write more. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1922-11-06]
Text: [Addressed to Hotel Traymore, postmarked 6 Nov 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I'm suited. What do you take me for, Father--handing out M. Coue to me. I read quite a bit of his stuff last year--maybe the book you are sending--I shall see what it is anyhow. He belongs to the school that believes that hypnotism is possible to normal people, but the other French school believes that it is possible for abnormal people only. I belong to the latter class--of thinkers, not of people....
Show more[Addressed to Hotel Traymore, postmarked 6 Nov 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I'm suited. What do you take me for, Father--handing out M. Coue to me. I read quite a bit of his stuff last year--maybe the book you are sending--I shall see what it is anyhow. He belongs to the school that believes that hypnotism is possible to normal people, but the other French school believes that it is possible for abnormal people only. I belong to the latter class--of thinkers, not of people. However, I'll read it with an open mind, as you say. I shall say, "Day by day, in every way, I am growing more and more conceited". The parlor is not pretty. I did not take cold. A. Kabet answered the note in which I finally informed him that we would do nothing about the debate. He seems to think this is to be a correspondence--I do not think so, and it takes two to make a correspondence! The picture is Caroline Whitney's mother. I guess she comes by her college stump-speaking naturally. Love, FannieA CONNECTICUT YANKEE FOR CONGRESS: MRS. JOSEPHA WHITNEIY, Daughter of Simon Newcomb, the Astronomer, Who Has Won the Nomination to Represent Her State in the House of Representativs (Times Wide World Photos.)
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1920-11-08]
Text: [postmarked 8 Nov 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have not much time to write as it is almost time for the mail to go out. I worked on my history topic from three to five-thirty to today and enjoyed it very much. The tendancy with this course is to read things that one happens to come across and find of interest, regardless of how useful they are to the topic in the process of being written. I expect to spend the evening on my English topic, inasmuch as I have a book out over Sunday...
Show more[postmarked 8 Nov 1920] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have not much time to write as it is almost time for the mail to go out. I worked on my history topic from three to five-thirty to today and enjoyed it very much. The tendancy with this course is to read things that one happens to come across and find of interest, regardless of how useful they are to the topic in the process of being written. I expect to spend the evening on my English topic, inasmuch as I have a book out over Sunday entitled "Religion of the Ancient Celts". Those Irish certainly has a god for every day of the year. I slept late this morning, as usual. I am awfully glad that I am able to do that this year, because, while it does mean time lost from more valuable occupations, it enables me to start out each week feeling refreshed and rested. I had a nice walk yesterday afternoon. I am glad that I can do that at last, without getting tired out. More tomorrow, a la Pete. Love, FannieMABEL GARRISON SINGS IN POUGHKEEPSIE The first of the series of concerts given by the Dutchess County Musical Association was sung by Mabel Garrison of the Metropolitan Opera Company. As is frequently the custom with artists who come to Poughkeepsie, the programme was light. But with a I coloratura soprano it is difficult to I make a selection which is varied. The.) first part of Miss Garrison's programme was for the purpose of showing her excellent technique. The culmination was in the selection from Lucia which showed the crystal clearness and melli-fluousness of Miss Garrison's voice. The upper register of her voice is of a different timbre from the middle and although clear it is not of the Bell-like quality one usually expects in a colora-ture. However the middle register is beautifully rich and mellow, easily lending itself to expressive rendering. The group of French songs notably Le Matin, Vielle Chanson Espagnol, and Vous Dansez Marquise were charmingly done. At the Wetl is a notoriously difficult song and it was very well rendered. The programme follows: I. a. Shepherd Thy Demeanour Vary Brown b. Tambourin ' Arr. by Tiersot c. Aria: "Non paventar" from Magic Flute...... . Mozart II. Aria: "Regnava nel silenzio" from Lucia , di Lam.m.erm.oor . Donizetti III. a. Le matin . . . . . Bizet b. Vielle chanson espagnole . Auhert c. Ma Tourlourisette . . Moret d. Elegiaeterna . . . Granados e. Vous dansez. Marquise Lemaire-Pasternach IV. a. Love that is true Louis Edgar Johns b. Baby . , . George Siemonn c. Immortality . . . Cyril Scott d. At the Well . Richard Hageman V. Folk Songs a. Little Jashka .... Russian b. BillieBoy Lonesome Tunes, arr. by Brockway c. Green Broom (arr. by Cecil J. Sharp) .... English d. When I was Seventeen (as sung by Jenny Lind) . . Swedish €. Kom Kjyra Norwegian Echo Song
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1922-10-11]
Text: Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have your Princeton pictures framed and up--they look very well "indeed". I am very busy today--five classes and to town for my picture after the last one. We do not have chapel Sunday night. However, I very often go to dark music, which comes at the same time. Nothing new. Love, Fannie

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: 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: n.d. [postmarked 1921-10-24]
Text: [Postmarked 24 Oct 1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am not in my own room, and I am using a borrowed "Fox", so excuse the mess. I just heard an exceedingly interesting lecture by Mrs. Snedeker, great-granddaughter of Robert Owen, on New Harmony. Otherwise I have wasted the day. I seemed to be too sleepy to get anything accomplished. I have a raft to do tonight, and also a debate council meeting. I hope it will not last too long. I understand the Barnard debate chairman was up...
Show more[Postmarked 24 Oct 1921] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am not in my own room, and I am using a borrowed "Fox", so excuse the mess. I just heard an exceedingly interesting lecture by Mrs. Snedeker, great-granddaughter of Robert Owen, on New Harmony. Otherwise I have wasted the day. I seemed to be too sleepy to get anything accomplished. I have a raft to do tonight, and also a debate council meeting. I hope it will not last too long. I understand the Barnard debate chairman was up here as one of their two disarmament delegates, and she is strong for the League of Nations as the subject for debate this year. The Speakers' Bureau meeting the other night was a bore. Miss C. Mildred Thompson spoke for a half hour at least on the faculty of interesting one's audience, and with each sentence she bored me more. Harriette's letter radiates intelligence and scholarship! Otherwise I know nothing. I play my gold match tomorrow afternoon. Love, FannieDear Mother, As to Lester's letter relative to going to Princeton or going to Philadelphia for the night. I must say I don't know what to do. Her letter will probably come in the morning. At least it has not come yet. Leaving everything out of the question but myself, I should certainly want to go over there for the night. I have heard about the famous M. for so long that I really would like to make her acquaintance. I am not keen about going over to Princeton alone Friday night, and having to stay in some noisy joint alone with Maggie. I must confess I have a great curiosity to meet the family and see where they live, etc. But leaving myself ouot of the question, it seems to me that the invitation indicates a great desire to get to know Lester's sister, and I don't want to appear to be crazy about doing something which they might think I was doing purely for Lester's sake, that he wanted me to go over there. Perhaps there is no ground for this thought, I don't know. Lester says very plainly that he wants me to do one or the other. I think myself that either will be very interesting and a lot of fun. Personally, I should a lot prefer going to Phila. It will be more comfortable, and a lot more interesting.I can go back to Woodmere with Aunt Bessie and Uncle Ike Saturday afternoon. I could get to Phila. by nine-fifteen Friday, night. I should like a lot to do it, for Lester's sake and my own if you think it is within the limits of propriety and wisdom to accept the invitation. Moreover, Lester seemed annoyed about the misunderstanding and delay about going to the games, so I certainly want to do this time what he wants. Answer immediately either by special or by telegram, as I do not want to keep him waiting for an answer.Mother Mother
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1922-10-03]
Text: [postmarked 3 oct 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am not mentally responsible--we have just received a telegraphic challenge from Oxford for a debate next Saturday night on either the league of nations or trade unions, and I think we are going to accept, and I shall have to debate. Will let you know the results immediately upon finding out what we are going to do. I will have to debate. Love, in much excitement. Fannie

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1922-10-06]
Text: [postmarked 6 Oct 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: There is nothing much to tell you today. Yesterday afternoon I heard a lecture by Mr. James McDonald of the Foreign Policy Association on Cancellation of the War Debt--or rather on the advisability of having a conference on the subject and changing the terms. I thought it was pretty good, but I don't know as much about that as I do about the Philippines. I slept late this morning--then read three playes for drama. That course...
Show more[postmarked 6 Oct 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: There is nothing much to tell you today. Yesterday afternoon I heard a lecture by Mr. James McDonald of the Foreign Policy Association on Cancellation of the War Debt--or rather on the advisability of having a conference on the subject and changing the terms. I thought it was pretty good, but I don't know as much about that as I do about the Philippines. I slept late this morning--then read three playes for drama. That course certainly is pleasure-reading. I hope it continues so. We were graced by a visit from Elsa and Pappy this morning--before I was dressed. I have to do that long deferred Tolerance topic today--then study for a Philosophy and for an Ec written, both of which are tomorrow. Then I have to read as much as posible of "The Divine Comedy" before next Friday. Otherwise I have nothing to do. Lucy called me up from New York this morning. She will be up Tuesday and stay till Wednesday evening. As long as she is coming, I would rather have her then than any other time. Hope you were really able to get up this time, Mother. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [postmarked 1922-10-09]
Text: [postmarked 9 oct 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: The long-distance system is Main is to have the person ring back. That is what they did last night. They got me just after dinner--they never try to find anyone in the dining-room because it is too big--and i waited a half-hour trying to get Pgh. Then, as you know, I couldn't hear at all when finally we were connected. So long-distance apparently does not pay unless it is something very urgent--from the Mian Bldg, anyhow. Father,...
Show more[postmarked 9 oct 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: The long-distance system is Main is to have the person ring back. That is what they did last night. They got me just after dinner--they never try to find anyone in the dining-room because it is too big--and i waited a half-hour trying to get Pgh. Then, as you know, I couldn't hear at all when finally we were connected. So long-distance apparently does not pay unless it is something very urgent--from the Mian Bldg, anyhow. Father, please send a check for $200 for my endowment fund pledge. They came around to collect the other night. Send it to me and I'll turn it in. I am enclosing a schedule. You always want one, Mother. I mailed my special last night just before I spoke to you. I did not write Friday and Saturday because you wrote you would probably be leaving Sunday. I would just as soon not have Lucy till by back history topics are made up, but I shall not tell her that. Elaine Wolfe has just announced her engagement to one Louis Rose of New York. I sent our New Haven hostess some flowers through Salfford's. I trust that was the proper thing to do. I had a letter from Aunt Hattie announcing their intended visit, when I don't know. I'm sorry that you cannot come, Pete. I hope there will be another inducement as strong as the Oxford debate one of these days. Perhaps it will be a Princeton debate. I have been entrusted with the delicate diplomatic mission of writing to A Kabet. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: n.d. [Sept. 27]
Text: [Sept. 27] Dear Mother, Frather[sic], and Pete: I shall use the half hour before lunch to write to you, and perhaps then I can get a real letter off. Before I forget, Helen heard from the woman they know in Poughkeepsie that there is to be English and English sermon Friday night. In that case, we are going. I just came in from a pretty good game of tennis with Ruth Franklin. The game was arranged otherwise, but it turned out at the appointed time that she and I were the only ones up, so we...
Show more[Sept. 27] Dear Mother, Frather[sic], and Pete: I shall use the half hour before lunch to write to you, and perhaps then I can get a real letter off. Before I forget, Helen heard from the woman they know in Poughkeepsie that there is to be English and English sermon Friday night. In that case, we are going. I just came in from a pretty good game of tennis with Ruth Franklin. The game was arranged otherwise, but it turned out at the appointed time that she and I were the only ones up, so we played. When I came back, my name was up for hockey, but I could not do everything, so I crossed it out. I was not tired, but Miss Thompson's office closes at twelve, and I have gone there so often and not found her that I decided that was more important. She sent me to the Dean's office, the old correspondence is kept there. They hunted and found the various letters. Miss White had already been there lookin to see if my schedule could be changed. So it would seem from that that she wants to change me. I shall take the list over to her room sometime today. Father, if Mother is home, she will tell you what this is about,-- otherwise it is a secret. I agree with you, Mother, that if I am not changed, it won't do me any harm. On the other hand, if I am changed, I don't think I'll flunk it either. I was asked so urgently to go to Henrietta Seitner's room last night that I could not refuse. Gee whizz, she is Mrs. Spear's niece, and Jimmie's cousin, all right. Yesterday afternoon I had my first whack at field hockey. It is good fun, but of course no one is brilliant at first. I hope that I don't get a notice to quit too soon, because it is fine exercise. We had chocolate pudding for dessert last night. That seems to be the college treat. It was good, though. Unless I don't remember rightly, I turn my nose up at the stuff at home. I asked at the general warden's office. Miss Smith, and the housekeeper about my chain. None had had it turned in. This morning I asked out maid. She found it in the bathroom and took it to her room to have clained[sic]. She said she told one of the girls to find out who lost it. The housekeeper told me she was sure this girl would turn it in if she found it. So I donated the dollar to her. I dropped in on Lucy for a few minutes yesterday. Professor Mills officiated in chapel last night. I think, although I am four rows from the end, I am in a part of the building where the accoustics are good. I shall take a note to Miss Abbott to the Messenger Room today.Lester, if you add your rug to your room-furnishing bill, I think you will be more than I am. Mother can tell you what things cost. The plates, the fruit dish, and the lemon squeezer came today. Everything is very nice. The book-case came yesterday. It is alos[sic] fine. The pictures came today--so are they. I don't like that stomach-achy expression on your picture, though, Father. Please have another taken. The pencil-sharpener will do. Later on I will fasten it to something. I have not been able to take the medicine yet, because I am not here an hour after meals. Mother, did you have any money left when you finished buying candy? I am enjoying what you sent to me. Lucy told me in great excitement that you had sent her some. So did Helen, Miss Smith, Dorothea and Louise Hewson. Louise left an awfully nice note about you on more door, but I must have thrown it away. You made quite a hit. Gertrude Allen across the hall was very sorry she missed you to say good-bye. I got the mileage book today, also the package from Mme. Schwartz. I had a fine job last night--I did not have a chance to be homesick myself. I met Duffie Schulman, Helen's roommate going to chapel, and she said that she happened to be in the telephone room when my call came, and they were trying to locate me in Main. She told them I was in Davison. Meanwhile I had gone to chapel, so when I came back I got the New York operator. Finally, when I was waiting for you, the girl across the hall was half crazy waiting for a call that they had not gotten her for.The person that took the call said her home was calling, and she was perfectly sure someone was dying. Finally, when she did get the call it was her uncle in Cornwall. It is not much fun telling a girl all the possible reasons why the person may still be living. Then that fool Katheryn Gardner across the hall came to inform me she had the blues, so I tried to get her around. Imagine me playing the role of comforter for that illness! It seems that I will not be allowed to catch it. Marion Gratz left a note for me asking me to go to the Freshman reception with her in the open-air theatre this afternoon. Here's where I feel my own stupidity again. I don't believe all Junior XYZ's are like that. Love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: Nov. 11
Text: Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I really will have time for a real letter tomorrow. I surely am busy and there is a lot to tell you, too, if there were only time for it. I finished my English topic this morning as the bell rang to go to class. I am glad I got it in on time, because I think it makes a bad impression on the instructor when a topic comes in late. Today I have to speed up on the history one for tomorrow, but the sad part of it is that I have lab fifth and sixth and the dedication...
Show moreDear Mother, Father, and Pete: I really will have time for a real letter tomorrow. I surely am busy and there is a lot to tell you, too, if there were only time for it. I finished my English topic this morning as the bell rang to go to class. I am glad I got it in on time, because I think it makes a bad impression on the instructor when a topic comes in late. Today I have to speed up on the history one for tomorrow, but the sad part of it is that I have lab fifth and sixth and the dedication of the French tank seventh and eighth. More tomorrow. That was a great letter, Pete. Good luck to Princeton on Saturday. Also give my best regards to Grace. Love, Fannie [Nov. 11]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: Nov. 15
Text: [Nov 15] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I thought I made clear to you this last week why i was only writing post-cards, Pete. Anyhow, I trust yesterday's letter made up for the brevity before. At least I don't announce every day for a week that I am going to write a long letter by and bye. I tried hard to sleep yesterday but got tired trying so I got up about three and went to the libe, then went to bed right after supper and studied in bed. I do wish this place would quiet down...
Show more[Nov 15] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I thought I made clear to you this last week why i was only writing post-cards, Pete. Anyhow, I trust yesterday's letter made up for the brevity before. At least I don't announce every day for a week that I am going to write a long letter by and bye. I tried hard to sleep yesterday but got tired trying so I got up about three and went to the libe, then went to bed right after supper and studied in bed. I do wish this place would quiet down before midnight. If Thanksgiving weren't so near at hand, I would get to Metcalfe to get some real sleep. By the way, Mother. You never sent my straw suitcase. Uncle Ike gave me along sermon when I was in Woodmre and told me not to wait for it, but to buy two new ones, a satchel and a small suitcase, so that the weight should be divided. Should I buy them here--I think he is right--and you take mine for yourself, or will you send my straw one. If you don't use the medicine bag I could take it. R. S. V. P. immediately so that I can have it attended to by Thanksgiving. Which leads up to the question Thanksgiving. Do you know yet what you are going to do then? Also, Mother, please don't send my laundry special anymore. Henceforth specials are to be delivered in the regular mail. So there is no point in sending it special any more. Elsa Spiro came over last night to tell me how "perfectly marvelous" I was in debate. If there is any expression I hate, its that. Miss Thompson told Patty Faust yesterday that she and Miss Reed had been talking over the hash after deabte, and more they thought about it the more they couldn't realize that [???] Mr. Johnson's intelligence could have said the stupid things he did Saturday night! I am all caught up in French Rev. When I get caught up in lab and J, I will be through, and ready for four days of peace and rest. Jane Rothschild was up at Yale for the house party and game this night the Rosenbloom family came en mass to call. His brother is a very good friend of her brother's, and practically lives at their house. Why that digression--I mean what I wanted to say what thi[sic] Marjorie Falk was to motor up with some people and a chaperone from school and go with Gerald Harris. They had an automobile from school and go with Gerald Harris. They had an automobile accident--the chaperone and chauffeur just got away with their lives, and she got cut on the head. Mr. Falk and Ruth were up there, too. They both urged Jane to visit them spring vacation, and she said she would divide their time between Helen Klee and Falks. She must have made a hit! Helen Klee and Marjorie Klein were also there. Apparently Mr. Falk isn't objecting to the friendship with Marjoir Klein any more.Howard Baer was up there at the dance as Gerald Harris's guest. During the course of conversation he told her that he was related to me. These Jewish cousins are worse than Irish ones! I am returning the Philadelphia Doctor's letter, Mother. Hold on to it! I spent a half hour hunting through old letters to find it! I have Junior Party reharsal[sic] tonight. I'd like to go to sleep right now and now wake up for two days. The break in a strain is almost worse than the strain itself. We has a psych written this morning that I messed up pretty well. Millsy squelched my beautifully this morning. You know I have written all along that he thinks the present requirements for Freshmen is heaven itself. I saw him at the debate, grinning all over whenever the Sophs made a point. He called on me today with a question about the Fabian Socialists. I talked quite intelligently, and then he asked my why they were called Fabians. I said, they were named for Fabius. I knew that they believed in waiting until the time was ripe, and then striking hard, as Fabius had done to Hannibal, but I had not had time to look him up and recall him definitely to my mind. He said, "Who was Fabius". I said, "A Roman", and he started to smile. He said, "Ever had Roman History, Miss Aaron"? I said, "Yes, about seven years ago". He said, sarcastically, "A very important and fundamental subject, Miss Aaron, you must admit, even if it is required". The class of sixty all gave me the laugh. You'd think we stood for absolute freedom of selections, when in reality the plan was anything but that, merely a group system. I trust the length of this letter has restored you to good spirits, Pete. So Bill went back to New York after the game. He seems to be a young man or many and changable decisions. I thought everything was set for Boston. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-11-10
Text: Nov 10 Dear Father + Mother: I am putting in an hour on debate preparation now - getting my debet Marcel! If you knew one of the three speakers, you would realize what a joke that is. [Bisb] told us all to be sure to have marcels, that it would help us a lot in debating. I am mad - with all the white skirts I own, I have to borrow one for Saturday night, because mine are neither pleated nor flannel. [Tommysah<] I am to be the last speaker. That is of course the hardest. She has to rebut...
Show moreNov 10 Dear Father + Mother: I am putting in an hour on debate preparation now - getting my debet Marcel! If you knew one of the three speakers, you would realize what a joke that is. [Bisb] told us all to be sure to have marcels, that it would help us a lot in debating. I am mad - with all the white skirts I own, I have to borrow one for Saturday night, because mine are neither pleated nor flannel. [Tommysah<] I am to be the last speaker. That is of course the hardest. She has to rebut and sum up and make the final impression, and bring out all the main points again. It can be prepared ahead the least of the 3 speeches. Gee, I hope we win! I took our plan of elective to Miss [Ellery] yesterday and she indorsed it. She also signified her inention of coming. C. Mildred Thompson came to practice yesterday and [uiteiged]. It's a great life, this debating life! I'm so far be-hind in my work that I hate to think of it, but I have not been feeling well enough the last two weeks to risk running short on sleep. The more I think about Thanksgiving the more I come to the conclusion that I am sufficiently tired out to benefit by a change of scene. I question if I would accomplish much work by staying here. I think I would do better to come back with renewed pap and work hard in the three weeks before Christmas vacation. I would much rather be with you than visit M. W. But, Father. I am very anxious that you should not rush things and come to Atlantic a week or so early merely to be there during my vacation. Take care of your tummy, and don't do anything foolish! You know I could come home, + get Dr. B to let me take an extra day as I did last year. Or, I could work here + then come to Atlantic later + take a [prom leavel 2 days extra). R.S.V.P. I [bad] quite a shock last night - I have been vaguely going along thinking that Thanksgiving is 3 or 4 <day> wks off, + I happened to look on my calendar + realize that it is only 2 weeks from today! I don't like to tell Pete that other people beside the president of the Temple College Club are illiterate. M's letter was redundant in misspelling, was terribly sloppy, and a miserably constructed letter. I answered, and said I would probably be in A. C., with you, thanked her very much etc., + said I would let her know definitely as soon as I knew myself. We have no classes tomorrow. It's jut my luck to have only two, and lab, and to [bove] one of the 2 classes [J], from which Miss [Arylie] had given us a cut in order to require our attendance at two lectures the first part of the week! and I have to spend all Sat. morningin lab anyhow because I am behind. I shall have to work all day to-morrow as it is. Well, I'm all curled up and beautiful now! I hope it helps my brain Sat. Night! Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-11-10
Text: Nov 10 Dear Father + Mother: I am putting in an hour on debate preparation now - getting my debet Marcel! If you knew one of the three speakers, you would realize what a joke that is. [Bisb] told us all to be sure to have marcels, that it would help us a lot in debating. I am mad - with all the white skirts I own, I have to borrow one for Saturday night, because mine are neither pleated nor flannel. [Tommysah<] I am to be the last speaker. That is of course the hardest. She has to rebut...
Show moreNov 10 Dear Father + Mother: I am putting in an hour on debate preparation now - getting my debet Marcel! If you knew one of the three speakers, you would realize what a joke that is. [Bisb] told us all to be sure to have marcels, that it would help us a lot in debating. I am mad - with all the white skirts I own, I have to borrow one for Saturday night, because mine are neither pleated nor flannel. [Tommysah<] I am to be the last speaker. That is of course the hardest. She has to rebut and sum up and make the final impression, and bring out all the main points again. It can be prepared ahead the least of the 3 speeches. Gee, I hope we win! I took our plan of elective to Miss [Ellery] yesterday and she indorsed it. She also signified her inention of coming. C. Mildred Thompson came to practice yesterday and [uiteiged]. It's a great life, this debating life! I'm so far be-hind in my work that I hate to think of it, but I have not been feeling well enough the last two weeks to risk running short on sleep. The more I think about Thanksgiving the more I come to the conclusion that I am sufficiently tired out to benefit by a change of scene. I question if I would accomplish much work by staying here. I think I would do better to come back with renewed pap and work hard in the three weeks before Christmas vacation. I would much rather be with you than visit M. W. But, Father. I am very anxious that you should not rush things and come to Atlantic a week or so early merely to be there during my vacation. Take care of your tummy, and don't do anything foolish! You know I could come home, + get Dr. B to let me take an extra day as I did last year. Or, I could work here + then come to Atlantic later + take a [prom leavel 2 days extra). R.S.V.P. I [bad] quite a shock last night - I have been vaguely going along thinking that Thanksgiving is 3 or 4 <day> wks off, + I happened to look on my calendar + realize that it is only 2 weeks from today! I don't like to tell Pete that other people beside the president of the Temple College Club are illiterate. M's letter was redundant in misspelling, was terribly sloppy, and a miserably constructed letter. I answered, and said I would probably be in A. C., with you, thanked her very much etc., + said I would let her know definitely as soon as I knew myself. We have no classes tomorrow. It's jut my luck to have only two, and lab, and to [bove] one of the 2 classes [J], from which Miss [Arylie] had given us a cut in order to require our attendance at two lectures the first part of the week! and I have to spend all Sat. morningin lab anyhow because I am behind. I shall have to work all day to-morrow as it is. Well, I'm all curled up and beautiful now! I hope it helps my brain Sat. Night! Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 11/11/19
Text: November 11, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I got the new ribbon working? Isn't it wonderful? There was wild rumore of a half holiday for Reace Day, but Prexy (is that the way you spell it?) announced in chapel last night that the faculty at their meeting regretfully voted it impractical, so to make up for it we are to have some sort of intellectual movies and a bonfire tonight. Meanwhile it is raining. I got another letter from Emily today. She says she is glad she did not try to...
Show moreNovember 11, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I got the new ribbon working? Isn't it wonderful? There was wild rumore of a half holiday for Reace Day, but Prexy (is that the way you spell it?) announced in chapel last night that the faculty at their meeting regretfully voted it impractical, so to make up for it we are to have some sort of intellectual movies and a bonfire tonight. Meanwhile it is raining. I got another letter from Emily today. She says she is glad she did not try to get in here although she seems to have to work pretty hard. Last night there was a feed in Elizabeth Brock's room. It was her birthday, and her mother surely did send her a real Mary line of food. I know what most of our work for Monday is--the question is to find the time to do it. The laundry came yesterday, without stamps and without the big strap. Did you put it on, Mother? You see when the special stamp is not on, of course it is not delivered as special delivery. Also, if the big strap is not on, there is good chance of loosing something. Prexy also announced that the method of celebration would be that we would not have to prepare tomorrow's work, but that simply means double for the next time. Miss Wells told one of the kids she would not give the math quizz, but she would give it Thursday and a lesson to prepare besides. Lucy is thrilled at the idea of spending her Christmas vacation in Mt. Clements. She seems to think her father will have to stay there a long while. If I don't write any more letters this week, it will be because I am working ahead. By the way, all chances for quizzes for Monday have been eliminated in everything byt[sic] Latin. Carolyn B. wanted me to go off campus with her sometime, but we have to put it off till next week. Love, I was in an awful rush. The muffs were with the laundry. Thanks for the bread, but please don't send anything the next time. I can buy fruit here. If their line should get particularly bad, I will let you know.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-11-11
Text: November 11, 1920 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I just came back from the dedication of the tank. The whole college marched from Taylor Hall to Josselyn Field, singing the Alma Mater, and then stopped in front of the grandstand and sang the Marseillaise. Clifford Sellers welcomed the Frenchman who dedicated the tank, Mireille Hollard, one of our French students, welcomed him in French; and then came the big speech. The man who represented the French government was M. de Sanchez of the...
Show moreNovember 11, 1920 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I just came back from the dedication of the tank. The whole college marched from Taylor Hall to Josselyn Field, singing the Alma Mater, and then stopped in front of the grandstand and sang the Marseillaise. Clifford Sellers welcomed the Frenchman who dedicated the tank, Mireille Hollard, one of our French students, welcomed him in French; and then came the big speech. The man who represented the French government was M. de Sanchez of the economic service of France in the United States. He gave an account of the war history of the tank and of the work of the Vassar Unit at Verdun. It could have been a peppier speech, as well as a more enthusiastic one. Then Miss Margaret Lambie, who was head of the Vassar Unit, spoke. Excuse me from this borrowed Corona!! mine is better than this one, so I think I shall change. I haven't had time to tell you that our petition to the faculty for voluntary attendance at classes went through at the last faculty meeting. They added a provision of their own, however, that if we want responsibility they will give us responsibility, and they have therefore abolished the system of warning, for all except Freshmen. Any instructor, may, moreover, use his discretion about permitting a girl to take her exams who has missed to many classes or may lower her mark for so doing. The faculty, notably Prexie, are of the opinion that it will raise our standard rather than lower it. I am not, but I seem to be of a decided minority. The only way of seeing if a new method will be successful is by trying it, so i guess it does not hurt if we try. I hope it goes all right. I finished my lab work today for all the required work before starting qualitative analysis. I feel as though I am on my feet again in chem. The French club drive is coming along very well. I sat outside the dining-room door before and after lunch and shall do so at dinner tonight, looking sweet and getting subscriptions. Our tags are in the form of shoes. Miss Thallon gave us a five dollar bill! I have a lot to do on my history topic tonight. Well, excuse me from writing anymore on this d_____ typewriter. I am in a rotten humor. Every time it sticks I get a little madder. I am going to take it to town tomorrow afternoon. While it is being repaired you may expect short letters. I didn't tell Lucy you were taking Grace, Pete. I have scarecely seen her to talk to for ages. Speaking of Lucy, Jeanette came over yesterday evening to make me write out a formal statement in her defense in a fight between herself and roommate. Lucy got the impression that Jeannette told me that Lucy is staying up every night until twelve, so Lucy came upon Jeannette in the libe and informed her in great wrath that unlessshe got a written statement from me that Jeannette had not said that she would never speak to her again. She was mad as the dickens. So I wrote out a fool statemtn[sic], which really was funny, even if I do say it myself and Jeannette told me today that that brought Lucy to her senses. I wrote on the envelope, "Testimony of F. H. Aaron for the Accused on the Case of Fellheimer versus Kaufmann". I suppose that is wrong but it was as good legal form as I was capable of. My speech in North dinning-room night before last came off all right, although I was fool enough to be scared silly. What there is to make one lose breath about is beyond me. Perhaps it is because it was the first time that I did it. I am going to sign up for tryouts for Junior-Sophomore debate. I haven't a ghost of a chance, but I might as well try out. The subject is "Intercollegiate Athletics in Women's Colleges". Well, enough for tonight on this typewriter. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-11-11
Text: November 11, 1921 Dear, Mother, Father, and Pete: I slept till eight-thirty tonight (that's the way I felt when I woke up--I mean this morning, though), and felt like a new person. We had a fire-drill at eleven last night. It is now eleven-thirty, and I have been doing debate with the team ever since I emerged from my room. I surely will be glad when tomorrow night is over. I don't feel as though we are getting anywhere with all these practices and discussions. I was going to work...
Show moreNovember 11, 1921 Dear, Mother, Father, and Pete: I slept till eight-thirty tonight (that's the way I felt when I woke up--I mean this morning, though), and felt like a new person. We had a fire-drill at eleven last night. It is now eleven-thirty, and I have been doing debate with the team ever since I emerged from my room. I surely will be glad when tomorrow night is over. I don't feel as though we are getting anywhere with all these practices and discussions. I was going to work all day, but the morning is gone already! There is nothing new or interesting to tell you. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1922-11-11
Text: [Addressed to Hotel Traymore] November 11, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Just had a conference with Mill Ellery on my topic. She realized it is going to be hard--that is the main thing. Today is Elizabeth's twenty-first birthday. Haha, we are all growing up, apperently! I think we are going to walk down town after drama by way of celebration. The prunes and medicine arrived. Thank you. Perhaps it is too early to speak, but I may not need the medicine. Good for Mr. Manley. He&apos...
Show more[Addressed to Hotel Traymore] November 11, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Just had a conference with Mill Ellery on my topic. She realized it is going to be hard--that is the main thing. Today is Elizabeth's twenty-first birthday. Haha, we are all growing up, apperently! I think we are going to walk down town after drama by way of celebration. The prunes and medicine arrived. Thank you. Perhaps it is too early to speak, but I may not need the medicine. Good for Mr. Manley. He'll get there yet. Thanks for ordering the book, Pete. Does the enclosed letter shed any light on the week-end, Thanksgiving, etc. Do you think it necessary to comply with the suggestion? I can't see that it will do any good. R. S. V. P. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 11/1/19
Text: November 1, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Group meetings, Pete, take place for the purpose of acting the business of the student association. The particular business that night was to vote on the amount of money to be spent for lectures, concerts, etc., and whom to have. I just came back from an hour and a half meeting of Davison Freshmen. We were working on our stunt party. It ought to be very good. I played basket-ball in the gym yesterday afternoon. Before that I wrote to you, then...
Show moreNovember 1, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Group meetings, Pete, take place for the purpose of acting the business of the student association. The particular business that night was to vote on the amount of money to be spent for lectures, concerts, etc., and whom to have. I just came back from an hour and a half meeting of Davison Freshmen. We were working on our stunt party. It ought to be very good. I played basket-ball in the gym yesterday afternoon. Before that I wrote to you, then pressed my costume. We shall have to dress up for the Junior Party next Saturday--I believe we are to fo as our ambitins. I think our ambitions can be most anything. Tell Aunt Hattie to write me a description of the other costumes. It rained last night, so we had no chapel. I wrote letters for two hours. i wrote Mrs. Weil a thank you note, Mrs. Schall an explanation note, and Miss Anderson an answer to some of her letter. I also wrote to Marian and some post-cards to some of the kids. I still have five letters to write. There was a Hallowe'en party last night in the gym. At nine o'clock the Freshmen class marched to Olive Watkins' room and serenaded our president. She was quite fussed, although she is supposed to be extremely well poised, I believe that is the expression. The Hollowe'en stunts were pretty good. I missed some of it. I saw Professor Drake in masquerade--as far as I could make out he looked like an orthodox rabbi. I shall look about the history book, Pete, but I am sure it was Dana Carlton Munro, because I noticed particularly. You know we do not write our topics out. It is an outline in book form on small note paper. I had eighty-four pages. There is a title-page, index, material, and bibliography. I'll bring it to New York if you want. I fooled around this morning and got to the dinin-room about a second after the bell rang, so I had to go around to the tables and collect what was left. Mother, please don't send any more food till I ask for it. I have more than i can use in a year. Please tell Mary. Also, if Mrs. Menges is not going to come anymore, I won't send my laundry home--I don't want you to stay at home doing my mending. I played tennis this morning with the French girl, Andree Pommier. I also talked French to her. She won one set and I won one. The courts were very slippery. I think I shall like her. I am sorry I forgot to special yesterday. Love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1922-11-01
Text: [Addressed to Hotel Traymore] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am out of the Infirmary at last, and I hope for good. I had to promise to come back and go to bed before dinner tonight--I suppose to insure not being out in the night air. My throat is better--it surely was sore for a few days, though. The cold in my head is much better now, too. I feel rather weak. I had classes all morning this morning. I shall take a nap now. I put a call for you after lunch because I thought you might be...
Show more[Addressed to Hotel Traymore] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am out of the Infirmary at last, and I hope for good. I had to promise to come back and go to bed before dinner tonight--I suppose to insure not being out in the night air. My throat is better--it surely was sore for a few days, though. The cold in my head is much better now, too. I feel rather weak. I had classes all morning this morning. I shall take a nap now. I put a call for you after lunch because I thought you might be relieved to hear that I am feeling all right again, but they could not get hold or you. They said they had to page you, and that is as far as I got. I waited until 1:45 and could not wait any longer. Nothing new to tell you. Marse writes that Mr. Consumptive is engaged. Love, Fannie November 1.Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Aaron, Hotel Traymore, Atlantic City, N. J.142 Main Hall vassar college Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1922-11-12
Text: [Addressed to Hotel Traymore] November 12, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I spent a very interesting afternoon yesterday on my drama topic. Last night we managed to get into Junior Party. It was excellent. Helen was a take-off. She was very good. In the middle of the performance we heard the fire-engines, and of course there started to be a general rush for the doors to see what building it was, when Miss Cochran got up and in the most awesome voice interrupted a sond to say, "...
Show more[Addressed to Hotel Traymore] November 12, 1922 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I spent a very interesting afternoon yesterday on my drama topic. Last night we managed to get into Junior Party. It was excellent. Helen was a take-off. She was very good. In the middle of the performance we heard the fire-engines, and of course there started to be a general rush for the doors to see what building it was, when Miss Cochran got up and in the most awesome voice interrupted a sond to say, "Girls, everybody stay in this building--don't leave. Go right on with the party". Of course everybody thought when she got up like that that the fire was in our building. And then of course I was sure it was Main. All the men of the faculty left the building. Five minutes later she got up and announced that the fire was "nearby" but was now under control. Then we heard it was the ninth floor of North Tower. Imagine such a place for a fire. When we get back here at eleven the night watchman told us that the while fire force of Poughkeepsie was out and had to work for an hour to get it out, and that there were still men there watching it. Two rooms were completely destroyed--all burned out--he said, and the two below them were flooded. I don't know the cause of it yet. I certainly was frightened when I heard the engines.I went to chapel this morning. The preacher was Rev. Cohoe. He was very good. Slept late so got no work done, unfortunately. This afternoon the unknown gentleman comes. Hope he does not stay too long. I have to work. Have to do Spinoza--I understand he is too deep for our feeble intellects. Love, Fannie Speaking of fires, Mother, the fact that I live in Main leads me to feel that I ought to have my fur coat insured. Don't you think so? R. S. V. P.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: [1922-11-13]
Text: [Addressed to Hotel Traymore, 3 Nov 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Nothing much new today. The ex-Brown student arrived at two-thirty and staid till five-thirty. I trotted him around the campus most of the time. He was not half-bad. He is quite intellectual, with not very much of an intellect to be intellectual on. Worked all evening and all morning. The book came this morning, Pete. Thanks very much for it. Apparently you disapproved of my selection, or else it came too late. Love,...
Show more[Addressed to Hotel Traymore, 3 Nov 1922] Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Nothing much new today. The ex-Brown student arrived at two-thirty and staid till five-thirty. I trotted him around the campus most of the time. He was not half-bad. He is quite intellectual, with not very much of an intellect to be intellectual on. Worked all evening and all morning. The book came this morning, Pete. Thanks very much for it. Apparently you disapproved of my selection, or else it came too late. Love, Fannie Monday
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-11-13
Text: November 13, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Please appreciate the respectable paper! It gives me great pleasure to announce that the Junior debating team was victorious last night by a 2-1 decision. It was not a wonderful debate. The subject did not inspire anyone. Mr. Burges Johnson, not because he voted against us, though, gave the craziest reasons for his vote that I have ever heard. But it may interest you to know how he did it. He worked out a marking system--like a child--and...
Show moreNovember 13, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Please appreciate the respectable paper! It gives me great pleasure to announce that the Junior debating team was victorious last night by a 2-1 decision. It was not a wonderful debate. The subject did not inspire anyone. Mr. Burges Johnson, not because he voted against us, though, gave the craziest reasons for his vote that I have ever heard. But it may interest you to know how he did it. He worked out a marking system--like a child--and graded everyone for various points. 5 was his highest mark. The two things that I excelled in will amuse you! The highest mark he gave for stage-presence was 4 1/2, and that was awarded to one soph and me. Likewise I tied a soph on 4 1/2 in power of argument. He objected to the affirmative conclusion of the debate (which was mine), as a mere sentimental appeal. He said he didn't like it, where upon Miss Reed, who was strong for us, turned around to him, and said, "That's because you lack sentiment in your makeup". He got the laugh on that. C. Mildred Thompson was there in full force, pulling as hard as she could for us. Toward the end of the discussion after the debate a bunch of our squad collected around her, and in the course of her talking she said, she hoped I wouldn't allow what Mr. Johnson said about my conclusion to influence me if I went out for intercollegiate, because she considered that the weakest part of Vassar debate in the last few years has been cut and dried "We have shown, they have not shown, therefore we consider that we have won, etc., etc." She said she was very glad I had considered it a very strong point in my favor. Another bright thing Mr. Johnson pulled off was to show how I should have elaborated on one point I made in rebuttal, instead of trusting to the intelligence of the audience to get it without indefinite explanation. I was aching to say to him, "Mr. Johnson, do you realize I was allowed five minutes for rebuttal, and that it took you two to make that one point?", but I wisely refrained. Only it annoys me when people are so dumb. He siad[sic] he wanted to be treated like a stupid child and have everything explained to him. [He acted it.] To show that I am fair-minded, I must confess that Miss White showed no more intelligence than he did, in spite of the fact that she voted for us. Miss Reed had voluminous notes, and was most "efficient" in her criticism. Another thing that will amuse you--I heard Miss White tell someone that I was the only one in the debate who showed any trace of humor. But I felt as handicapped as though my tongue had been cut off, for the committee absolutely forbade my using sarcasm, and I just revel in it in debate. All I could do was to provoke a laugh twice, and I like to keep the audience laughing. I counted fifteen faculty in the audience--among them friend Bess Cowley, who amused me beyond expression when I mentioned the fact that a girl derives comparatively little benefit in the way of logical thought, when she takes freshman math against her will, after several years of math in prep school. I wanted to see her reaction when I said, and her face seemed to be saying, "That poordeluded girl. What a fool she is! And I spent two good hours her freshman year trying to persuade her to elect math Sophomore year". Pap White, head of the department, sat through it likea gentleman. Miss Wells and Miss Cummings of the math department were also there. Millsy sat in the back all by himself, and grinned all over whenever the negative made a point. He thinks the present curriculum is heaven itself. I have asked him various questions about possible changer, and he sat on every one of them. The head of the Spanish department and the Spanish addition to it were also there. The history department were well represented by Miss Ellory, Miss Thompson (who promised to grin at us like a Cheshire cat) and Miss Brown. The two people whom I missed were Miss Wylie and Miss Salmon. Miss Wylie does not believe in required Freshman English. We have been spouting Miss Salmon's ideas so much that I really think someone should have gone down-town to call for her. We have talked about "the big fish" so much that it ceased to be even funny. None of the faculty would let us quote them. There is much delicacy of feeling on the subject of the curriculum. It amuses me. I don't see why they should be afraid to stand up for their convictions. They took a rising vote before and after the debate, and C. Mildred was the only one who voted. Miss Ellory sat with some of our committee. After our speeches, before the rebuttal, she said, "You've won". And when the votes were announced, "She said, "I'm amazed at Mr. Johnson". The maddening part of it is that he has been away on endowment fund campaigning, and Bish wired him almost two weeks ago, asking him to judge. She got no answer Miss Ellory to judge in case he wouldn't. She would have made it a unanimous decision. When Mr. Johnson left, he said to Bish, "Well you have the consolation of knowing that if you had asked Miss Thompson to vote instead of me, you would have had a unanimous decision". And she said, "Yes, and if we had asked Miss Ellory, we would also have had it". So he decided that he didn't know much about judging. I think so too. The outline may interest you. I did not use it. Please return it. So much for that. I feel like a wreck today. I could hardly sleep last night. My mind has never worked at the speed it did last night, when i wanted it to stop. I am dead today. Now for real work until Thanksgiving. I seem to have left the outline in Students'. I'll send it sometime again. Also, that darn fool Mr. Johnson gave me the highest grade for rebuttal. And I was generally complimented on my flow of oratory! Hurrah! And kidded for my Pittsburgh pronunciation of the word "English" I don't pronounce the g. Do you? Love, Fannie Too bad, Father, you didn't speak at State College and get "Ella" to tell you nice things about me!JUNIOR-SOPHOMORE DEBATE STUDENTS' BUILDING NOVEMBER THE TWELFTH NINETEEN TWENTY ONEJunior Committee Beatrice Bishop, Chairman Helen Campbell Elizabeth Cannon Beulah Clap Frances Faust Phyllis Harman Margaret Taylor _________ Sophomore Committee Evangelia Waller, Chairman Helen Cheney Mary Crews Janet Fine Elizabeth Hamlin Natalie Shipman Alice Kean Stockwell __________ Judges Assoc. Prof. Amy Reed Prof. Florence White Assoc. Prof. Barges JohnsonQUESTION: Resolved, That a freer elective system be adopted for Freshman and Sophomore years. ________ Chairman, RACHEL HIGGINS ________ DEBATERS Affirmative, 1923 Negative, 1924 [3] FANNIE AARON AUGUST cLAWSON [2] LOIS BARCLAY HARIET DAVIES [1] EMMA McDONALD EVELYN KUHS ALTERNATES GRACE BOURNE ISABEL CARY MARGARET HILL ELEANOR ECKHART FRANCES KELLOGG ELIZABETH LEWIS [enc w/ 13 Nov 1921]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-11-13
Text: November 13, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Please appreciate the respectable paper! It gives me great pleasure to announce that the Junior debating team was victorious last night by a 2-1 decision. It was not a wonderful debate. The subject did not inspire anyone. Mr. Burges Johnson, not because he voted against us, though, gave the craziest reasons for his vote that I have ever heard. But it may interest you to know how he did it. He worked out a marking system--like a child--and...
Show moreNovember 13, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Please appreciate the respectable paper! It gives me great pleasure to announce that the Junior debating team was victorious last night by a 2-1 decision. It was not a wonderful debate. The subject did not inspire anyone. Mr. Burges Johnson, not because he voted against us, though, gave the craziest reasons for his vote that I have ever heard. But it may interest you to know how he did it. He worked out a marking system--like a child--and graded everyone for various points. 5 was his highest mark. The two things that I excelled in will amuse you! The highest mark he gave for stage-presence was 4 1/2, and that was awarded to one soph and me. Likewise I tied a soph on 4 1/2 in power of argument. He objected to the affirmative conclusion of the debate (which was mine), as a mere sentimental appeal. He said he didn't like it, where upon Miss Reed, who was strong for us, turned around to him, and said, "That's because you lack sentiment in your makeup". He got the laugh on that. C. Mildred Thompson was there in full force, pulling as hard as she could for us. Toward the end of the discussion after the debate a bunch of our squad collected around her, and in the course of her talking she said, she hoped I wouldn't allow what Mr. Johnson said about my conclusion to influence me if I went out for intercollegiate, because she considered that the weakest part of Vassar debate in the last few years has been cut and dried "We have shown, they have not shown, therefore we consider that we have won, etc., etc." She said she was very glad I had considered it a very strong point in my favor. Another bright thing Mr. Johnson pulled off was to show how I should have elaborated on one point I made in rebuttal, instead of trusting to the intelligence of the audience to get it without indefinite explanation. I was aching to say to him, "Mr. Johnson, do you realize I was allowed five minutes for rebuttal, and that it took you two to make that one point?", but I wisely refrained. Only it annoys me when people are so dumb. He siad[sic] he wanted to be treated like a stupid child and have everything explained to him. [He acted it.] To show that I am fair-minded, I must confess that Miss White showed no more intelligence than he did, in spite of the fact that she voted for us. Miss Reed had voluminous notes, and was most "efficient" in her criticism. Another thing that will amuse you--I heard Miss White tell someone that I was the only one in the debate who showed any trace of humor. But I felt as handicapped as though my tongue had been cut off, for the committee absolutely forbade my using sarcasm, and I just revel in it in debate. All I could do was to provoke a laugh twice, and I like to keep the audience laughing. I counted fifteen faculty in the audience--among them friend Bess Cowley, who amused me beyond expression when I mentioned the fact that a girl derives comparatively little benefit in the way of logical thought, when she takes freshman math against her will, after several years of math in prep school. I wanted to see her reaction when I said, and her face seemed to be saying, "That poordeluded girl. What a fool she is! And I spent two good hours her freshman year trying to persuade her to elect math Sophomore year". Pap White, head of the department, sat through it likea gentleman. Miss Wells and Miss Cummings of the math department were also there. Millsy sat in the back all by himself, and grinned all over whenever the negative made a point. He thinks the present curriculum is heaven itself. I have asked him various questions about possible changer, and he sat on every one of them. The head of the Spanish department and the Spanish addition to it were also there. The history department were well represented by Miss Ellory, Miss Thompson (who promised to grin at us like a Cheshire cat) and Miss Brown. The two people whom I missed were Miss Wylie and Miss Salmon. Miss Wylie does not believe in required Freshman English. We have been spouting Miss Salmon's ideas so much that I really think someone should have gone down-town to call for her. We have talked about "the big fish" so much that it ceased to be even funny. None of the faculty would let us quote them. There is much delicacy of feeling on the subject of the curriculum. It amuses me. I don't see why they should be afraid to stand up for their convictions. They took a rising vote before and after the debate, and C. Mildred was the only one who voted. Miss Ellory sat with some of our committee. After our speeches, before the rebuttal, she said, "You've won". And when the votes were announced, "She said, "I'm amazed at Mr. Johnson". The maddening part of it is that he has been away on endowment fund campaigning, and Bish wired him almost two weeks ago, asking him to judge. She got no answer Miss Ellory to judge in case he wouldn't. She would have made it a unanimous decision. When Mr. Johnson left, he said to Bish, "Well you have the consolation of knowing that if you had asked Miss Thompson to vote instead of me, you would have had a unanimous decision". And she said, "Yes, and if we had asked Miss Ellory, we would also have had it". So he decided that he didn't know much about judging. I think so too. The outline may interest you. I did not use it. Please return it. So much for that. I feel like a wreck today. I could hardly sleep last night. My mind has never worked at the speed it did last night, when i wanted it to stop. I am dead today. Now for real work until Thanksgiving. I seem to have left the outline in Students'. I'll send it sometime again. Also, that darn fool Mr. Johnson gave me the highest grade for rebuttal. And I was generally complimented on my flow of oratory! Hurrah! And kidded for my Pittsburgh pronunciation of the word "English" I don't pronounce the g. Do you? Love, Fannie Too bad, Father, you didn't speak at State College and get "Ella" to tell you nice things about me!JUNIOR-SOPHOMORE DEBATE STUDENTS' BUILDING NOVEMBER THE TWELFTH NINETEEN TWENTY ONEJunior Committee Beatrice Bishop, Chairman Helen Campbell Elizabeth Cannon Beulah Clap Frances Faust Phyllis Harman Margaret Taylor _________ Sophomore Committee Evangelia Waller, Chairman Helen Cheney Mary Crews Janet Fine Elizabeth Hamlin Natalie Shipman Alice Kean Stockwell __________ Judges Assoc. Prof. Amy Reed Prof. Florence White Assoc. Prof. Barges JohnsonQUESTION: Resolved, That a freer elective system be adopted for Freshman and Sophomore years. ________ Chairman, RACHEL HIGGINS ________ DEBATERS Affirmative, 1923 Negative, 1924 [3] FANNIE AARON AUGUST cLAWSON [2] LOIS BARCLAY HARIET DAVIES [1] EMMA McDONALD EVELYN KUHS ALTERNATES GRACE BOURNE ISABEL CARY MARGARET HILL ELEANOR ECKHART FRANCES KELLOGG ELIZABETH LEWIS [enc w/ 13 Nov 1921]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-11-14
Text: November 14, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I took my typewriter to town Friday afternoon and as far as I could make out all the mad did was to tighten a screw. I hope that was all that was necessary. I also ordered a berth for the eight-thirty Tuesday night, not having heard from Aunt Bessie. I did all I wanted to in down, and then we walked home. It was a glorious day. I walked from the station out to college and did not feel any bad effect from it. Friday night I met two girls after...
Show moreNovember 14, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I took my typewriter to town Friday afternoon and as far as I could make out all the mad did was to tighten a screw. I hope that was all that was necessary. I also ordered a berth for the eight-thirty Tuesday night, not having heard from Aunt Bessie. I did all I wanted to in down, and then we walked home. It was a glorious day. I walked from the station out to college and did not feel any bad effect from it. Friday night I met two girls after chapel who informed me that they were going to try to go to Junior Party rehearsal and I thought it would be a good idea, so i went along. We tried all the exits and they were all locked, so we went to the front doors and in spite of the fact there were two ushers at every door we managed to get in. I think walking very close to two Juniors helped us to get away with it. I saw some other members of '23 who had done likewise. But unfortunately I had to miss the best part of it because I had to leave to keep my appointment with Doctor Baldwin. So I joined the crowd from out hall night and got dressed up like Freshmen, except that every one of us wore masks, walked in and sat with the Freshmen, and enjoyed the whole party from beginning to end. It was wonderful. I think that ours was more of a college performance, but this one would have taken anywhere. I am glad I went, and I think about half of 23 are glad also. There certainly were an awful lot of our class who were there. I could not help thinking, Mother, during the whole of the performance, of your telling me about not being allowed to dress as men in Phil plays when you were here. If you had seen some of the costumes on the stage!--a conspicuous lack of sleeves and very few moderately high necks. I am told that Miss Palmer made them revise a lot of their songs and costumes. The best thing in it was the faculty song. I can't remember the words exactly, and they were the best part of it, so you can't appreciate it. They made fun of Prexie (his broad smile and the way he prays in chapel), Miss Ellory, (the deepest topics e'er assigned, come from Miss Ellory's master mind), and Apollor. The last brought the house down, and the poor man was there. They applauded and applauded until the girls who were singing gave his song over agains. It went something like this, "A permanent wave and a haughty state, in our faculty. ----And we all know who put it there, in our faculty. Brave efficient, cool omnisciant, noble faculty. The bright and sparkling gem who teaches chem, in our faculty". But none of them are any good unless they are sung and acted. There there was a song about Vassar's getting publicity. It was very clever, telling how newspaper reports exaggerate everything about Vassar. It summarized all the wild tales, and then said, "According to Wille Randloph Hearst." I wish I had time to tell you more about it, but I have loadsto do as a result of spending four hours where I had no business to be. I worked on my history topic two and a half hours yesterday morning. It is going to be rare. How could it hlep[sic] being so, for this time most of it is coming out of my head instead of books? Yesterday after lunch Elizabeth Brok of Davison and I went down to Poughkeepsie by foot, to the orphanage to play with an orphan to whom she has been assigned by the Christian Association! Fortunately all the kids were at the movies. I enjoyed the walk, though. Then I had a shampoo, and last night had the fun i told you about. This morning I cut chapel because I have alot to do and because it bores me so. I have decided that the most profitable way to use my cuts is to take them on Sundays, anyhow. During the rest of the day I plan to read a book for English, do quite a little on my history topic, do some Spanish, and get soem material for debate tryouts. Love, Fannie I bet you had a good time yesterday, Pete. I wish i could have been there, too. It strikes me I have given up a good bit for my fool health. Thanks for your telegram.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-11-15
Text: November 15, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Debate tryouts come tomorrow night, so if I don't write tomorrow you will know why. We had some Spanish lesson for today. I worked three hours on it and just did it very superficially. Most of the class did not even do that, though. I worked in the libe all afternoon, reading essays on the Romantic revival in poetry, and working on my beautifully indefinite history topic. We are having horribly cold and penetrating weather--I do wish the...
Show moreNovember 15, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Debate tryouts come tomorrow night, so if I don't write tomorrow you will know why. We had some Spanish lesson for today. I worked three hours on it and just did it very superficially. Most of the class did not even do that, though. I worked in the libe all afternoon, reading essays on the Romantic revival in poetry, and working on my beautifully indefinite history topic. We are having horribly cold and penetrating weather--I do wish the fur coat would come, if it is to be of any use to me. Please send me the address of the place, so that if it doesn't come this week, I can write about it. Lucy came up to me in the libe today to tell me that she and Harold went to Bill Wasserman's room immediately after the game and waited there until it was time for her train. She said that she knew I would like her to see you, etc. From the way she talked I don't think she knew that you had Grace there and I didn't tell her because you seemed to prefer mystery. She told me she met Some of Harold's friends--I could hardly keep a straight face, how I envy her(?)! I hope your letter about this game will be as interesting as the one about the last game. Thank you for the Red Cross button, Mother. It came just in time. I thought that after Miss Landon's report about what Professor Moulton thought about me, Mother, that any further questions would be useless. I have Miss Peebles in English mother. She has been here quite some time, but she is not old enough to have been faculty when you and Miss Hamilton were here. I don't think she is a Vassar graduate, either. We got approximately eight hundred dollars in the French collection. We were out for five hundred. It was quite a success. I have written to you at various times, I think, about the girl from Prague across the hall. She is a very fine girl and a very bright one, too, but I don't think her college education in America is going to be a particularly happy memory--she got a letter today informing her of her father's sudden death. That is sad enough in any case, but it must be terrible so ar away from home. I feel so sorry for her but there is nothing on earth to do for her I guess, except to leave her alone. The corridor is as silent as a tombstone.[enc w 15 nov 1920] Dear Papa: I have a lot to do tonight, but having your speech around and not reading it was too much for me. So I took a few minutes off and read it hastily. Of course I did not digest all the information and deep thought therein contained--how could that be done with so wonderful a speech unless much time and intelligent thought were spent upon it. Pap, you speech demonstrates conclusively the truth of the law that practice brings success. Compare your feebble attempt at Peabody high school over four years ago with the masterpiece produced at Harrisburg! Is it not ludicrous? Yes, indeed, I know that if you would but persevere in your noble efforts, I would some day be the daughter of a famous man, although I must admit, that at the outset judging by your early rate of progress, I feared it would be many years before that distinction might be achieved. But surprise sweetens success! Ah, father, that was a noble speech, even unto the odor of tobacco on the paper. What a sweet, dreamy odor that was, as though the speech had been preserved in the humidor! But, Father, did you say that you wrote that speech? Here Sherlock Holmes enters on the scene. Some of the wording had the familiar ring of the pet combinations of words of one frequent visitor at Winebiddle Avenue, of one who not infrequently makes speeches himself. And most shocking of all, some of the notes and even the last page of the speech was written in handwriting that I have seen before and that I connected with the above-mentioned person! Father, could it be?--ah no--I cannot concieve of your brain not being great enough to work out its own weighty thoughts. For my eyes were opened last year when Miss Cowley told me that I had a bright, wide-awake Father. I could not believe my ears when she said it, but then I concluded that she was older and more experienced that I and therefore more able to judge people. However, the evidence seems conclusive--it was not all the product of your genius. Tonight my poor tired brain has to work up a speech for tomorrow. More than ever I realize how mediocre is my own ability--how could I feel otherwise after reading your manuscript? Such is the sadness of contemplating from our humble vantage-ground the sphere of the great and mighty! Come to earth! 8:30 and Chem, Ec, and Spanish still to be done! Thou must not burn the midnight oil! Your overawed daughter,
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-11-15

Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-11-16
Text: November 16, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I shall plan to meet you in Atlantic. I hope the trip does both of you as much good as I hope the few days will do me. I called up the station today. The last through train is at 3:05, I guess I won't make a through train. The 3:50 is a special. They said the last train to North Philadelphis where I could make connections was the 5:10, so I guess the best thing to do is to stay in New York with Jeannette over night and take the first...
Show moreNovember 16, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I shall plan to meet you in Atlantic. I hope the trip does both of you as much good as I hope the few days will do me. I called up the station today. The last through train is at 3:05, I guess I won't make a through train. The 3:50 is a special. They said the last train to North Philadelphis where I could make connections was the 5:10, so I guess the best thing to do is to stay in New York with Jeannette over night and take the first train in the morning. How-ever, I shall write to Uncle Ike. Probably he can get more dope than I can here. Practically finished catching up in Lab today, so now all the back work I have to do is a J paper. I sahll do that over the week-end and be all caught up before Thanksgiving. I worked pretty hard today and took a walk with Helen. That's about all I know. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-11-17
Text: Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: This is a borrowed Corona, whose margin does not work, but perhaps the letter will be legible, at least. One thing is evident, the dash is located differently than on mine. I am sorry, too, Pete, that I could not be in Princeton, although it did you good to be with somebody else and probably you enjoyed it a lot more than you would have had I been along. We got our midsemesters back in Spanish today. You remember I thought that I had done miserably on it!!...
Show moreDear Mother, Father, and Pete: This is a borrowed Corona, whose margin does not work, but perhaps the letter will be legible, at least. One thing is evident, the dash is located differently than on mine. I am sorry, too, Pete, that I could not be in Princeton, although it did you good to be with somebody else and probably you enjoyed it a lot more than you would have had I been along. We got our midsemesters back in Spanish today. You remember I thought that I had done miserably on it!! evidently I did not for after class Jo and I went up to her and sked her whether "it is ever done to ask what one makes" and she told her that she got C- and I got A! Imagine that. We had our midsemester in chem this morning. I was beautifully scared of it. I went to bed early last night and got up at six this morning to study. It was bad enough, but not nearly as hard as I expected. We got our ionization papers back yesterday, the thing that I worked at so hard. I got C on it, with the comment that my material was not well organized. I think the trouble with it was that I spent too much time and effort on it, with the result that I didn't know what I was saying and waht[sic] was logical and what was not. However lots of people flunked it, so I might have done worse. Some got excellent on theirs, though, and others got "good". I think it was more a matter of argumentation than of knowledge, because I know I "had the dope down pat". You know Miss Fiske, Mother and Pete. Well, last night as one of the girls and I were walking out of the dining-room she stopped us and exploded. Our table, (most of those at it, that is) had been somewhat hilarious and noisy, trying to skip spoons into a glass of water by means of another spoon. Of course that is not the quietest performance on earth. She said, "I wish you would please inform your friends that they are a public nuisance. Why, they don't even behave like civilized human beings. I never heard anything so preposterous. I wish they would behave like respectable members of the community". That wasn't enough; later when I was standing there waiting for the elevator, she bellowed, "Did the table get my message?" Poor Miss Fiske! My debate tryouts were punk yesterday. I had negative yesterday today I have affirmative. Then it will be over, I imagine. Jake Shapira is coming up tomorrow. Helen wants to know if I want to see him. I told her that depended upon the smount of time at their disposal, if he cared to see me I should be pleased to see him. She acts as though he is some sort of treasure shut up in a glass case, and if you pay enough admission, you can get a one minute peak. I assured her I could exist perfectly happy if I didn't see him, to which she cannot of course agree. He is taking her to the game at New Haven Saturday and to the frat prom. I am in a great hurry, as I have to get to lab fifth hour instead of sixth today. November 17 Love, Fannie.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-11-17
Text: November 17 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Classes were unusually interesting today. There was a hot and heavy fight on in socialism class this morning between Millsy and some of the "Vassar radicals" which newspapers, I mean--whom--newspapers enjoy featuring so much. I have to study most of the evening for a Zo written. The latest is that the last train we can take from New York Sunday night is the 6:35. Outside of a shampoo this afternoon I have nothing of interest to report....
Show moreNovember 17 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: Classes were unusually interesting today. There was a hot and heavy fight on in socialism class this morning between Millsy and some of the "Vassar radicals" which newspapers, I mean--whom--newspapers enjoy featuring so much. I have to study most of the evening for a Zo written. The latest is that the last train we can take from New York Sunday night is the 6:35. Outside of a shampoo this afternoon I have nothing of interest to report. Miss Ballantine sent for me yesterday to assign me to a special gym class. Those in it can stop and rest whenever they are tired. I think that is a very good way to start. She also told me that she had noticed I played in the golf tournament, and expressed her regret at not being able to hear the debate. She says she never misses the unless she is out of town. Love, Fannie[Enc w/ 17 Nov 1921] Dear Mother; I just came from a "Sale" meeting. Polly Curtiss, chairman of the division that I am in, had told me to give about eight dollars' worth of stuff if I could, so i thought giving twenty-five dollars' worth of socks would be quite doing my duty, but she did not seem to think so. She said most people were giving about five articles and making some of them themselves and wanted to know if I couldn't knit something. I know that nothing I could knit would be wonderful enough looking to be sold, because a college community is strong for "good-looking" things. So would you please have Rauhs' send some handkerchiefs and good neck-ties, (not too bright and not knitted), and spend ten or fifteen dollars more. You wanted me to pledge more to the fund than I did anyhow, so you might as well give the money in this form. The last thing on earth I would want to do would be to appear stingy, particularly in a think involving college spirit. If they don't have ties, send all the rest in handkerchiefs. They want handkerchiefs anyhow. They think they have enough socks. I was so mad--if she had told me in the first place she wanted more stuff I certainly should have given more. But I don't enjoy going to a meeting and being told that most people are giving more articles. The trouble wih her is that she counts one pair of socks as a unit, one article, and twelve pairs of socks as a unit, one article, also. Also, I got a letter from Aunt Hattie today. It was very breif, but contained the snappy statement, 'It is too bad you don't feel peppy enough to spend your vacation with young people. I had my best times in school and college vacations". I hope you are not misunderstanding about Thanksgiving. i am tired, but not to the point of thinking the trip to Wellesley would hurt me or tire me out. In fact, I am sure that I would enjoy it very much. But from the minute I heard you would be in Atlantic, I stopped even considering it. I must admite that I am very anxious to see Father, just as anxious as I was to see you Spring vacation last year, and I think I know that he is baby enough about us to be looking forward to having me there--particularly as he has not been able to anything for so long and will enjoy the diversion of my foolishness I had to exert all my self-control more than once since he has been sick not to take a week-end and two days to come home and see him. In addition to my wanting to see him, I would feel anything but fair about going to Wellesley. I should imagine that he wants me for those few days. If you are telling me to come to Atlantic merely for the sake of giving me a rest and if you really don't care much about my coming, I will certainly go to Wellesley. Sometimes Aunt Hattie's "short-snappy statements" get my goat, and this is one of the times that they have. The point of this letter is this--I would like an absolutely frank statement from you about your desire and Father's as to what I should do. I spent a half hour looking up trains. The train-man at the station was right in his information. I can't remember to save my neck how to go when one changes in Philadelphia. I did get this information--that there is no train i can get that stops at North Philadelphia after I get down to New York on the 3:50 special, getting in at 5:50. The only thing I can do is to try to make the 6:00 to Broad Street, getting in at 8:00, and catch the reading (how you do it from one station to the other, I don't know) at 8:30 and get in to A. C. at9:45. If I miss the 8 oclock, there is nothing doing for Atlantic anymore. At least, the official in the Messenger Room checked me up on my information and said I was right. That information sort of discourages my trip to Atlantic. I will probably have to leave Sunday morning, as the last train from N. Y. Sunday evening we are allowed to take leaves at 6:35. Boston would be a lot better as far as time is concerned. But that is not to the point. I hope to hear soon from Uncle Ike. I am inclined to think at present that the best thing to do would be to stay with Jeannette over-night and get the first train over in the morning on Thursday. Please answer by special delivery relative to Aunt Hattie's letter, so that I'll know what to do. As a statement of opinion of hers, it doesn't interest me, but if it is your opinion, it does. If it is merely her personal opinion--then I wish she would mind her own business--or Rosenbergs'. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-11-18
Text: November 18, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I surely have enough to keep me busy today:--the large meeting of Speakers' Bureau, French Club meeting, and class meeting all seventh hour. I haven't decided yet to which to go. And then at seven-thirty tonight I have my third attempt at debate tryouts. I am among the last twelve up, but that won't do me any good unless I am among the last three. We shall see--. I was on the affirmative last night and was also responsible for...
Show moreNovember 18, 1920. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I surely have enough to keep me busy today:--the large meeting of Speakers' Bureau, French Club meeting, and class meeting all seventh hour. I haven't decided yet to which to go. And then at seven-thirty tonight I have my third attempt at debate tryouts. I am among the last twelve up, but that won't do me any good unless I am among the last three. We shall see--. I was on the affirmative last night and was also responsible for organizing the material of our side. I am the unlucky one tonight again, on the negative, in addition to having the rebuttal this time. I would much prefer having the affirmative rebuttal. Thank goodness our history topics this week don't have to be in until Tuesday, of next week, I mean. I have an English Speech conference tomorrow morning. I am curious to see what will happen. I am told they put you on your back on some sort of the Red Cross stretcher and teach you how to breathe! I had a letter from Mlle. Douteau yesterday, and the day before I got into the worst mail rush I have ever been in, all to find nothing but a letter from Phil. I wish I had time and intelligence to write more, but I surely am one busy lady. I got off Scenery committee of First Hall, as I decided that it would be too strenuous--there is a great deal of lifting, etc., I think, and that would be just taking cahnces[sic] on a recurrence of the old discomfort. That was another great letter, Pete. I wish there were football games every week. However, I am afraid our honorable law-student would not learn very much of the honorable law if there were. I know what I have been missing in your letters this year--I thought it was sleeping lying across your desk for two hours every Sunday, but it was going to Renwick's and having a double shredded. Can't you write that once in a while from Cambridge--even if you don't do it--just for old times' sake? Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1921-11-18
Text: November 18, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: There is not much news today. I had a written in Zo which I don't think I came very far from flunking. I have a good week-end of work ahead of me. Apollo of the chem department announced his engagement to Miss Johnson, of the Chem department--Radcliffe '20. Romances of the chem lab! I saw Carolyn Brayton's mother yesterday. She surely is wonderful looking. Junior Party dress reharsal is tonight. It is going to be a very good...
Show moreNovember 18, 1921 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: There is not much news today. I had a written in Zo which I don't think I came very far from flunking. I have a good week-end of work ahead of me. Apollo of the chem department announced his engagement to Miss Johnson, of the Chem department--Radcliffe '20. Romances of the chem lab! I saw Carolyn Brayton's mother yesterday. She surely is wonderful looking. Junior Party dress reharsal is tonight. It is going to be a very good party, i think. The party is tomorrow night. Eleanor Wolfe asked me to go off for dinner with her tonight. She is very formal about "paying me back". I wish I had some news for you, but I feel unusually dull. It is hot enough to be a June day. I am going to take a walk now and then work till dinner-time. Love, Fannie I may land at Wellesley yet for vacation. This train mixup makes me ad. i could take the mid-night from New York and go to theater with some of the Boston delegation, and take a noon train, or thereabouts, on Sunday. I wish the Boston trains went to Atlantic City.
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-11-19
Text: November 19, 1920 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am going home Tuesday night, Pete. You see I have a drag with the doctor's office here--they have made enough money on me--and they are allowing me to leave a day early. Your second volume on your week-end was exceedingly interesting. I wish I could have had some of your fun. In fact, I have concluded that this existence at college needs a break on an average of once a month. Now I suppose you will immediately conclude that I am...
Show moreNovember 19, 1920 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I am going home Tuesday night, Pete. You see I have a drag with the doctor's office here--they have made enough money on me--and they are allowing me to leave a day early. Your second volume on your week-end was exceedingly interesting. I wish I could have had some of your fun. In fact, I have concluded that this existence at college needs a break on an average of once a month. Now I suppose you will immediately conclude that I am homesick. I am not, but I am in a very unfortunate state of boredome-with myself, with people in general, and with my work. I believe that a good remedy is a vacation and diversion. I am told that people get that way every now and then. I had debate tryouts again last night. I think I did quite well and I was very well satisfied with my rebuttal. I had the negative, you know, and it is very hard to rebut for the side to which you are very much opposed. They told us after the debate last night that the chairmen of the two classes had drawn for sides and that the sophomores got the affirmative. That is great. I won't know until tonight whether I am still up or not. If I am, that means the semi-finals, but as I said before, it is the finals that count. I had the pleasure(?) of entertaining Jacob Shapira this morning during the fourth hour while Helen went to a hygiene lecture. he send his best regards to you, Pete. He said he was out to see Robbins N at Peabody not long ago and he wanted to know whether you ever see each other any more. I don't see how Helen can be so far gone on him--I can't see anything to get excited about, or anything manly about him, either. However, that's her business. I had an English Speech conference with Miss Swan this morning. She made me go through a lot of tongue exercises and then told me that if I practiced them conscientiously the result would be quite evident and I would get a better mark than i would be capable of getting if I were to come up for examination now. I assure you, as I assured her, that I didn't give a dark what makr I got as long as not I passed the old stuff. We are going to have what Miss Salmon calls a "pleasant conversation on paper" next Tuesday. Goodness only knows what she can ask us--no two of us have done the same work. She is the one who has the reputation of never giving writtens--I maintain that she is too far on in life to change her ways. I thoroughly disapprove. Our grand and glorious mid-semester in Ec comes next Monday. I am looking forward to it with keen dis-anticipation. I am going down to the station to get my berth reservation this afternoon.I am going to celebrate after Thanksgiving and get some new carbon paper, Pete. I don't think you would object, would you? I don't know anything else to tell you, inasmuch as I feel awfully stupid. Father, aren't you old enough to know what letters you are to read to Sammie and what ones not to? Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 11/20/19
Text: November 20, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It is all very well to teach people to typewrite, but I think the next time I shall not use my machine. I took it out last night to copy and English theme, I could not get it to space. I did not have time to fuss with it, so I borrowed one which I am still using. I was very busy yesterday working on an English report. Miss Kitchel discovered that the little I knew about the French system of education was more than the rest of the class knew,...
Show moreNovember 20, 1919. Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: It is all very well to teach people to typewrite, but I think the next time I shall not use my machine. I took it out last night to copy and English theme, I could not get it to space. I did not have time to fuss with it, so I borrowed one which I am still using. I was very busy yesterday working on an English report. Miss Kitchel discovered that the little I knew about the French system of education was more than the rest of the class knew, so I was assigned that as a special topic. The others all had themes to write, but they were allowed to choose their subjects. We were supposed to spend at least four hours on it. I spent more, because I could not find any condensed material. I worked later than I like to so i shall have to make up for it tonight. Mlle. Champy made us write the whole hour today. If I had known more about the stuff we were to write about, I would have been better out. I have arranged to call on Miss Kitchel today. I guess it must be done. Mlle. Champy comes tomorrow, Miss Thallon, Miss Wells, Miss Cowley come Sunday. I am not looking forward to it anxiously. Last night was Prexy's birthday, and we serenaded him. It was rather cold to make him come out of his house and make a speech. He was in a very good humor, so he gave a detailed picture of "his friend the Prince of Wales", as he saw him. He said he could not persuade him to come up here. We have a class meeting today. I intend to order a taxi with some others for Wednesday, as there will be such a car rush that I would run the chance of missing the train. Love, [Fannie]
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-11-20
Text: November 30, 1920 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have the pleasure(?) of announcing a 68 on my chem written, the next highest mark in the class. The highest was 70% The general average was 43% There was one 14% I didn't miss anything last Wednesday. Professor Moulton returned the papers and spent the whole hour giving the class the dickens. He decided to call the highest marks the equivalents of A's. Therefore I get A on the written! And I thought for several weeks that I was the...
Show moreNovember 30, 1920 Dear Mother, Father, and Pete: I have the pleasure(?) of announcing a 68 on my chem written, the next highest mark in the class. The highest was 70% The general average was 43% There was one 14% I didn't miss anything last Wednesday. Professor Moulton returned the papers and spent the whole hour giving the class the dickens. He decided to call the highest marks the equivalents of A's. Therefore I get A on the written! And I thought for several weeks that I was the worst in the class! Evidently there is something the matter somewhere. We had a short debate meeting yesterday afternoon and we have practice debate after chapel tonight. The chairman told me this morning that there was a general geeling abroad that the negatives and no show and that therefore our class would not have to work at all, so she was putting me and two others on the negative tonight in order to make them sit up and work a little. I don't know if that means anything in the way of speaking the night of the debate or not. Let's hope so. No letter from you yet, Mother. I have heaps and heaps to do. I went to bed after chapel last night and read in bed till ten o'clock. I have almost finished the reading for the week. The packages from Horne's and McKennan's arrived yesterday. Please send your scarf in the next laundry, Mother. If you don't need it-that is. It is great using other people's typewriters. Every two keyboards are different, it seems. Love, Fannie
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Creator: Aaron, Fannie
Date: 1920-11-20
Text: Dear Mother, Pather, and Pete: I have absolutely nothing to tell you today. I woke up in time for breakfast and perhaps the shock of that is what made me so extremely stupid. I went to the libe about ten o'clock, accomplished almost nothing on my history topic, couldn't find the books I wanted for English and wasted time trying to get them, went over the Main and waited while the mail was being distributed, then did not get any. That's a great morning. I am going to try my...
Show moreDear Mother, Pather, and Pete: I have absolutely nothing to tell you today. I woke up in time for breakfast and perhaps the shock of that is what made me so extremely stupid. I went to the libe about ten o'clock, accomplished almost nothing on my history topic, couldn't find the books I wanted for English and wasted time trying to get them, went over the Main and waited while the mail was being distributed, then did not get any. That's a great morning. I am going to try my luck at working this afternoon, and will see if I accomplish more. I got my berth yesterday afternoon, left my typewriter again, got some other necessary things--namely rubbers-- and come home. Then I did some odds and end sewing--goodness only knows what struck me. I then proceeded to Main, where I had dinner with Lucy. After that I joined my class and we serenaded to the top of Sunset where we had a huge bonfire, marking the end of Senio-Sophomore step-singing. The songs were peppier than usual and it was a beautiful sight. After that I came home and spent a laborious half hour talking German to the Czecho-Slovak. And here I am, feeling exceedingly stupid. I am up again for debate tryouts--I think this will be the finals, although they may have two more-- I am not sure. I am getting sort of sick of trying out--I would like to be either chosen or dropped. Nothing new. Oh yes--my fur coat came and it will be very satisfactory, I think. You will see it next week. There was no bill. Love, Fannie November 20, 1920
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