Vassar College. Poughkeepsie.
(Marc. 21. 1897,
My dear Mother,—
I have just finished writing to Ed, I had not written to
him for some time, so 1 wrote to him before you, in order to be sure
that it would be done. Because I am sure to write home anyway. I
have written very few letters this year, except home. I owe one to
almost everyb ody I know. And now just as I am about through with
the Vassar ion work and was expecting to have a little time to write
letters and mend my clothes (which need it sadly) and a few other
things like that,- then here comes this old Commencement Essay, to
be on my mind, even when it is not taking up my time. I am so disgusted
about it. I only wish I were one of those lucky people who simply got
an honor, without having the added bother of a Commencement speech
re
tacked on,- especially when everybody hear- keeps saying that they are
extremely tiresome, and that they don't expect to listen.1 We all think
they are stupid, and I have never paid much attention to them myself-
But they are a great deal of work, because so much more is made of
them here than when I had It to do at High School. Here the professors
and the English teachers and everybody have to be consulted so much,
and so much elocution drill has to be gone through with. As for this last,
however, X think it will be quite an advantage to get so much training in
elocution gratis. I have n't any Idea yet what I shall take for my subject.
£Mar» 21, 1897, - 2
Ray has about decided to take one in the line of Economics. Everybody
pities Winifred, for having to room with two people who will be tearing
their hair from now till June. I think I will give you the list of Honor
girls, in case someone might inquire about them. They are:
Frances Beckwith
Flora Bemkopf
Elizabeth Bishop
* A. Claflin
Martha Clark
Eloise Ellery
* Grace Landfield.
* Nancy McClelland.
Anne Rlchey
Alice Sawyer.
* Rachel Schauffler.
Beatrice Shaw
* Marion Schibsby.
Jessie Thain.
Maidee Traver.
* Alice Whiton.
» means Commencement speaker.
As I said before, everybody is very much surprised that Gertrude Smith
did not get one. Winifred is awfully bright, but she did not get one
because she entered Sophomore, and because she has been sick ever
since she has been in college.
I had hoped that Miss Adams would come here to Commencement,
as her class is going to have a reunion - its twentieth anniversary - but
now I am not axudbus to have her, except that I would like very much to
show her around and take her to Class Day. I do wish Edie would come
,Mar. 21, 1897, - 3
for that reason,*- so that I could show her around the place where I
have spent four years; I am sure she would enjoy it, and she will never
have another chance probably. I am glad that you are making arrangements
for it, so that I shall have my mother here at any rate.
Nina Roberts thinks she can come here to visit us during their
Easter vacation, after ours is over. Ours begins this Friday and closes
April 6. Nina may have to go to New York, and if so she will stop here,
but she thinks she can come here anyway - on a pass. I shall be so glad
to have her, for she was so anxious to come here to college, aad has
always been crazy to visit here. Edith and I have not yet made definite
arrangements about going to Carrie's. But we shall go down Friday or
the
Saturday of this-week after this, and stay over Sunday- I expect to spend
the day with Ed on my way home, but I have not made final plans yet.
this week
I may send home by RayAthe waist of my white dress to have the
sleeves altered, for the new style is so different. Of course I would not
bother about it if I were not going to speak at Com. but the dress will be
rather conspicuous then, so that it might be just as well to have the
sleeves in style. But don't fix it If you are too busy at home then.
Lots of love to all the family,
from your loving daughter
Adelaide. (Claflin,
March 21, 1897.