[May 26, 1913]


Dearest Mother - 
Have been doing German madly ever since six o’clock and must dress for breakfast in just a few minutes, but even though you are on the briny deep, I suppose to know a letter is waiting for you somewhere is some pleasure.
Much has gone on here the past week, and you’ll probably say things when I tell you about it. You remember my telling you that there has been
a great deal of thieving going on here all year? Well, I cashed the $10 check you sent me the other day to pay some bills and being scared to death for fear I’d lose it, I carried it around on my person all the time. The morning after the day I cashed it, I went to breakfast, was gone 15 minutes having the purse under some papers on the desk in my bedroom. I had no idea anyone would have tampered with it in that short time so I didn’t look at it until an hour or so afterward. $10 was gone. Florence came home and I told her about it. “Good gracious! I cashed a check for $10.00 yesterday too”, said she and went to look in her shopping-bag which hung on a back nail in her closet under her clothes $10.00 was gone. Hearing of our troubles two girls rooming next to us went and looked at their purses. $5.00 gone from each! I was mad, as mad as hops, for I  needed that $10. As per usual, we went and reported the losses to Miss Reed. “I’m sorry.” she said,”but we can’t do anything about it.” I was madder still, there, for that’s just what they’ve said all year - and now about $300.00 in all has been taken, not to mention silk-stockings galore and even brand-new shoes. So I said to Florence “Well, by gum]! if the head of the hall, can’t do anything, I can,” and I promptly wrote a note to Dr. Taylor asking for an interview, which I got, and I never talked so fast or so hard before in all my life as I did in that hour. I hope at last I’ve stirred up something, I was sent to talk to the head sup’t of the college and  gave him much information. Now if the “Christian Influence” (as they call Miss Reed) can’t start anything, I have and I’m willing to wager something will happen - and that right soon.  I could tell you much about Song-Contest which happened Friday night and we lost the banner - 1915 won it - but it’s a painful subject too, and one I hate to discuss.
Saturday Evening was Junior Senior Boat-ride on the Hudson and we certainly did have a grand … 1914 “took off” 1913 - I was one Edith Pratt - and such a lark! oh, me! oh, my! people laughed ‘til they ached and then laughed some more.
I told D.P. you sailed on the Wilhelmina and she said to ask you if Captain Johnson wasn’t “just the sweetest man you ever saw!” I have had one exam already - Interpretation - although the rest of them don’t come till a week from today. I have only three, German, Psychology and House Sanitation. I’m having a terrible time to decide what to take next year - and haven’t found out yet, although elections should have been in last Friday. Grace Horney invited
me to go to West Point with her last Saturday, i.e. day before yesterday - but I decided I had much too much to do and didn’t go. I certainly do want to go to that place very much. I only jopeI get a chance again some time. 
Dot. Conways father was up yesterday and took six of us to the Inn for diner; and last night Freddie Mosscrop.  Had an uncle and aunt up and they took me to the Inn for supper. On the whole I’ve had very nice meals lately. Phyllis Zimmers, Freshman, has taken me to North-side Team-room and I had grand food there.  I played at Student’s recital Thursday, solo and two accompaniments. Will enclose program if I don’t forget. D.J. Wolfe sent me a wonderful bunch of lilies-of-the-valley and pink and lavendar sweet-peas.
You didn’t say anything about Chicago in your last letter and D.P. is getting worried for fear you’ll change your mind. I’m getting to the point where I don’t care a [continental] what happens - I thinkI’d be happy in the slums of Pittsburg just now (but I certainly would like to go to Silver Bay! believe me, I’m going to next year anyway if it’s at all possible.) Breakfast bell has rung - I still have my bath to take and German prose to do, so bye-bye-
Millions of love -
Muriel
P.S I certainly would like to see you people - M.
POUGHKEEPSIE
MAY
26 1 30 PM
1913
N.Y.


Mrs. B.O, Tilden
105 West 40th St.
New York City


Tilden B’ld’g