Vassar College.
Poughkeepsle. N.Y.
(postmarked Oct. 5, 1896,
My dear Bess,—
As usual you have been very good about writing to me,
so I think it is your turn for a letter* I am much obliged to you for
sending Demosthenes' Philippics with such "speed and alacrity"*
They came just in the nick of time. I sent the chemistry apron
immediately, but I had no means of getting Wurta's Chemistry, as
Remden's is the one used here.
I am glad Grace T. is paying up, though it is gradual. Don't
forget that she is to return my Ray's Algebra, and also the Test Prob-
lems in Algebra.
1 don't like this news I hear, about all of you having colds.
I can hardly remember a time when mamma has had to go to bed with
a cold. You said that Miss Carrie Smith had typhoid fever. Do you
mean the one who lives across the street? - for I heard just as I came
away that Carrie Smith Ford had it. Did I tell you last week that Ethel
Chapman was here visiting Carrie Abbott? She staid two or three days, and
then expected to go right through to Detroit, without stopping In Cleveland.
You will be relieved to know (at least we were) that our Freshman,
Daisy Newborg, has gone home for good. She went for a visit of two days
and then came back here to see how she liked it. and finally decided not to
pet. 5 (?) 1896, - 2
stay, and Mrs. Kendrick did not urge her to stay longer; neither did we,
for we had given her up lor a hopeless case, concluding that she had not
enough backbone to keep herself here. She sold all her furniture and
books that she had bought; she expected to forfeit about one hundred and
twenty-five dollars of the money she had paid, but Mr. Dean told her perhaps
she would not have to because she went away so early in the year. We
were sorry that all our effort was of no avail. Daisy sent me up from
New York a card case for my birthday: it is quite pretty — leather much
like my belt. I was glad to get the card-case, but we hated to have such a
new acquaintance giving us presents. She told me she was going to send
the rest of the girls presents at Christmas time — X suppose she wishes to
be absolutely impartial.
I had a very pleasant happy birthday — letters from home, and
one from Edith Penfield, a pound of candy from Ed, and also a little box
me
of candy from Norma Cutter, Ray and Winifred gaveAa plaster plaque - an
angel by Donnatello, and Carrie and G. gave me a silver hatpin. In the
usual fashion our table had a birthday celebration, not only for me, but
also for Emma Thornton, who was born on the same day and in the same
year that 1 was. Is'n't that queer? Now she and Norma Cutter and I are
triplets! The table was decorated very prettily with autumn leaves, and
there were menu cards to match, with autumn leaves painted on them by
pet, 5(?) 1896, - 3
one of the girls. Emma and I each had a birthday cake — chocolate
layer cake — with twenty-two candles in it. and lor dessert we had
icecream from Smith's.
Florence Dowling sits at a table near oars, so that I see her at
a distance every day. She has the reputation of being the freshest Freshman
there is. X have heard a number of stories about her actions. She chewed
gum in Miss Richardson's geometry class, (and Miss Richardson is the most
awe-inspiring teacher here). Miss R. called her up after class, and told
her that "never before in the history of Yassar College had she known of a
girl chewing gum in class." Before Florence had been here three days
she went into the room of three Sophomores whom we know, and told them
in a peremptory tone "please to make less noise", when they were simply
talking quietly. Marion Schibsby squelched her in such a quiet and
apparently innocent manner. Marion was calling in Florence Dowling*s
room, and they were talking about how young some of the teachers looked,
and Florence remarked "Why, I think Miss Ball looks as young as 12"
Marion looked her over rather critically and then remarked slowly, "No,
I don't think she looks as young as you do, but she looks very young.'"
Another story about a Freshman and Miss Gentry is going the
rounds. This Freshman went up to Miss Gentry (who is by no means
good-looking) and asked her if she were from Boston. Miss Gentry said
,Oct*5(?) 1896, - 4
no, she had never been in Boston till last summer. The Freshman
replied, "That is strange; I was sure you were from Boston, for you
look just like the pictures of Boston women in Puck!"
Friday night was the Y.W.C.A. reception to the new students.
I invited Julia Tarbox early, but when the day came some of the Fresh-
men were still uninvited, so I took a Miss Tourtellot in addition. Julia
Tarbox is the girl whose sister roomed with Edith Penfield in Oberlin.
Miss Tourtellot spent the evening in telling me and everybody else how
horrid her roommates are!
Today there was no church service here, so we went to town.
Tonight the Bible lectures begin, and we are very fortunate indeed to have
Prof. Burton of the University of Chicago, to give them till Christmas.
They say he is very fine-
Love to all the neighbors and the family—
from your sister
Adelaide. ^Claflin,