Vassar.
Dec. 2. 1874 -
Dearest Dear,
Having no new lesson to learn in Churc- this morning, and not
feeling like studying review, I take this period which is usually devoted
to perusing stupid notes for scribbling off a letter to you Carrie - Yours
of the 26th was just this moment handed me, and gave me great joy,
although it was such a bit of a letter - I can rejoice with you all at the
return of the treasure Julia, for you know my antipathy to housework at
any time, and my long siege of bed-making and other work makes me
long, when through here, to have nothing to do but sit with folded hands -
Of course you had a pleasant Thanksgiving, and so did I - But yet
I could but think of my place at the home table, vacant for the last year
I hope - Two or three eights ago the Prez, announced in Chapel that the
Christmas vacation Instead of beginning as the Catalogue states en the
Tuesday preceding Christmas will begin on the Friday! For a few moments after the announcement joy reigned supreme, then we could not help a tremeadous hand-clapping. I think we never were before quite so
anxious for vacation- Every body seems tired but and needing rest - I
am one of the "pine-knots," and never sick, but yet as Miss Terry said
to me the other day, "Miss Pease, you can feel tired", and I rejoice with
all my heart that we have five more days of rest - Clifford Loverin, and I walked from the Chapel with the avowed intention of going home So unless strict orders to the contrary come, you need not be surprised some bright day to see us briskly walking into our respective houses - Indeed I don't know what I shall do this vacation - Aunt M. has sent a most cordial Invitation for me to visit her, and if I go away at all, shall probably go to Binghamton. Then Lillle Lewis has no invitation for me in Burlington, but of course Aunt's has the prior right - Our vacation is three weeks long - Did I ever write you that some time ago came a letter of introduction from Miss Moffett, who is at school at Cook's in Po'keepsie - Of
course I immediately answered saying I would call soon, but my soon did
not come until last Monday - I find her very pleasant, though younger than
I had anticipated. She tried for Vassar but did not enters now expects to
come next year as Freshman; also expects Minnie D. will enter with her
as Preparatory - It made me right homesick, talking about Austin people with her -
Philathean Day comes on Friday, when I suppose we will have
another festive time - Think I shall send complimentary Invitations to
"your beau" Lewis and charming Charlie Wheeleck - Wasn't it a joke for
Judge H. to think me "sweet sixteen". No one else in Austin does, though -
Our class pins have come and are quite pretty - It really made me feel
old and sad to see them, for It shows how must "shake off this mortal coat" and allow others to walk Into our shoes - It is not a pleasant thought that others will step into our places so soon, without one regret for our departure -
You will think this an awfully doleful letter, so rather than inflict
any more of such nonsense upon you, I will close - with the hope that with
you "all goes merry as a wedding bell," but that those bells are yet afar
from you, dear -