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VC Pokeepsie, N.Y.
Nov. 16, 1884.
Dear Sate,-
This is Sunday morning, I have just come from Bible class, which we have
at 9.00 A.M. and do not have church until eleven, so I thought I would take a little time to answer your letter.
There has ever so many things happened here since last I wrote to you.
The first thing happened election week. When on Wednesday night after election everything looked so favorably for Blaine, the faculty allowed us to have a procession. The girls trimmed the corridors with flags, and in anything that they could find that would show the three colors red, white, and blue. The corridors are two hundred feet long and there are five of them, it was so cold we could not go out doors so we just marched in them. There were over two hundred girls in line, each was dressed in white skirts, black [waistes?], with a large bow of red, white and blue ribbon on the left shoulder, and a fancy cap of some kind on their head, each carried a Chinese lantern or a broom, or something of the sort in her hand. Then there were four girls who carried the bier of Cleveland which was very funny. They had crom pictures of Blaine for banners. While we were marching there were tar barrels burning out side the college, which lightened up the building very much. Many who witnessed the parade said it was the prettiest thing of the kind they had ever seen. When we had marched for some time we broke ranks to see the fire works which were purchased for our benefit. They were ever so pretty. When they were exhausted we were ordered in line again and were marched much to our surprise into the dining room where we found the democrats dressed in deep mourning ready to wait on us to oysters which Pres. Caldwell and Miss Goodsell ordered for our benefit. When we were nicely seated the democrats gathered in the centre of the room and sang for us the words were composed for the occasion and were very funny.
When we were through eating Pres. Caldwell, and Mr. Van Fleet the manager of the college gave us some toasts airing all their humor. After giving three cheers for Blaine we went to our rooms. I just wish you could have been here it was just lovely.
Last Teusday eve the freshmen were invited to the opening of the senior parlor. Each senior invited two and came after us, acting the part of gentleman beautifully. Their parlor was beautiful. They gave us coffee, with the most delicious cream in it, and waffers, for refreshment. I forgot to tell you they sent us written invitations on their class paper, then they had little programmes for us when we got there.
Wednesday night the Philharmonic club from New York gave us the first concert of the season, we have five during the year. They played beautifully. Last night was the sophomore party, the grandest event yet. It was given for the freshman, each soph, sent a written invitation to the lady she was to take, they were "swell" too, I went with Maine Setchel's cousin. She sent me flowers to wear, roses & smilax, and every thing was lovely. The girls were dressed elegantly, all colors of light silks & satins were worn, many wore gloves. Most of the teachers were there, and oh! how lovely some of them are. We had programmes for dancing and in the Virginia reel, the last dance, even Pres. Caldwell joined in. We had chocolate, sandwiches, ice cream, and cake for refreshments. I don't believe I ever had a better time in my life. It was given in society hall, the girls festooned the walls with curtains, many were the sofa's and easy chairs, pictures, cabinets etc. It was just grand. I wore my lightest silk with my neck low filled in white lace, my hair powdered, and flowers. I guess I looked well enough. By the way I don't wear my hair as I used to. I wear it in a rather loose coil on top of my head and in front I wear it combed right straight back but have it montagued (I guess that is the way you spell it) right over my temples. I comb it out so it is real fluffy, they all tell me it is becoming, and it is all the style. Many of the girls wear their hair pompedour though.
I received a letter from Leona the other day and she asked about you. She is a strong [prohibitionist] republican. She said they burned St. John in effigy in A.C. one day last week. I think the prohibitionists every where will regret their work this year all over the Union before four years is over.
No Mamie Setchel is not in A.C. this fall, and I don't think she intends returning next term. I received a long letter from her just a little while ago.
I had forgotten all about the 6th of Nov. being Walter Bliss' birthday. I only thought of the day as cousin Bert's wedding day. Aunt May sent me a box of wedding cake and some Malaga grapes which was very welcome. Bert had a very swell wedding, how I should liked to have been there.
Will you attend Frank Williams wedding? I don't suppose you care much about It, seeing your love for him is not very extensive.
Just five weeks from last Friday I shall go home if nothing happens, I am so anxious to go I can scarcely wait. Mama is not at all well, has the rheumatism so she can't even walk to church, she always has to ride. I worry a great deal about her. I have sent one of my tintypes away and the other I want to keep, if I have two another time I will send one to you.
When you write to May tell her I am still looking for a letter from her. I hope I haven't tired you out with this long letter which I have scratched off to you in double quick time.
It is now about time for church so will close, lovingly
Yours Mary.
[Mary Sheldon, '88.
A.C. is Alfred College.]
P.S. Leona wondered if the walls of Vassar were posted all over with "no smoking." She spoke of that after she asked about you, what do you suppose she was thinking of???
M.S.
Nov. 16, 1884.
Dear Sate,-
This is Sunday morning, I have just come from Bible class, which we have
at 9.00 A.M. and do not have church until eleven, so I thought I would take a little time to answer your letter.
There has ever so many things happened here since last I wrote to you.
The first thing happened election week. When on Wednesday night after election everything looked so favorably for Blaine, the faculty allowed us to have a procession. The girls trimmed the corridors with flags, and in anything that they could find that would show the three colors red, white, and blue. The corridors are two hundred feet long and there are five of them, it was so cold we could not go out doors so we just marched in them. There were over two hundred girls in line, each was dressed in white skirts, black [waistes?], with a large bow of red, white and blue ribbon on the left shoulder, and a fancy cap of some kind on their head, each carried a Chinese lantern or a broom, or something of the sort in her hand. Then there were four girls who carried the bier of Cleveland which was very funny. They had crom pictures of Blaine for banners. While we were marching there were tar barrels burning out side the college, which lightened up the building very much. Many who witnessed the parade said it was the prettiest thing of the kind they had ever seen. When we had marched for some time we broke ranks to see the fire works which were purchased for our benefit. They were ever so pretty. When they were exhausted we were ordered in line again and were marched much to our surprise into the dining room where we found the democrats dressed in deep mourning ready to wait on us to oysters which Pres. Caldwell and Miss Goodsell ordered for our benefit. When we were nicely seated the democrats gathered in the centre of the room and sang for us the words were composed for the occasion and were very funny.
When we were through eating Pres. Caldwell, and Mr. Van Fleet the manager of the college gave us some toasts airing all their humor. After giving three cheers for Blaine we went to our rooms. I just wish you could have been here it was just lovely.
Last Teusday eve the freshmen were invited to the opening of the senior parlor. Each senior invited two and came after us, acting the part of gentleman beautifully. Their parlor was beautiful. They gave us coffee, with the most delicious cream in it, and waffers, for refreshment. I forgot to tell you they sent us written invitations on their class paper, then they had little programmes for us when we got there.
Wednesday night the Philharmonic club from New York gave us the first concert of the season, we have five during the year. They played beautifully. Last night was the sophomore party, the grandest event yet. It was given for the freshman, each soph, sent a written invitation to the lady she was to take, they were "swell" too, I went with Maine Setchel's cousin. She sent me flowers to wear, roses & smilax, and every thing was lovely. The girls were dressed elegantly, all colors of light silks & satins were worn, many wore gloves. Most of the teachers were there, and oh! how lovely some of them are. We had programmes for dancing and in the Virginia reel, the last dance, even Pres. Caldwell joined in. We had chocolate, sandwiches, ice cream, and cake for refreshments. I don't believe I ever had a better time in my life. It was given in society hall, the girls festooned the walls with curtains, many were the sofa's and easy chairs, pictures, cabinets etc. It was just grand. I wore my lightest silk with my neck low filled in white lace, my hair powdered, and flowers. I guess I looked well enough. By the way I don't wear my hair as I used to. I wear it in a rather loose coil on top of my head and in front I wear it combed right straight back but have it montagued (I guess that is the way you spell it) right over my temples. I comb it out so it is real fluffy, they all tell me it is becoming, and it is all the style. Many of the girls wear their hair pompedour though.
I received a letter from Leona the other day and she asked about you. She is a strong [prohibitionist] republican. She said they burned St. John in effigy in A.C. one day last week. I think the prohibitionists every where will regret their work this year all over the Union before four years is over.
No Mamie Setchel is not in A.C. this fall, and I don't think she intends returning next term. I received a long letter from her just a little while ago.
I had forgotten all about the 6th of Nov. being Walter Bliss' birthday. I only thought of the day as cousin Bert's wedding day. Aunt May sent me a box of wedding cake and some Malaga grapes which was very welcome. Bert had a very swell wedding, how I should liked to have been there.
Will you attend Frank Williams wedding? I don't suppose you care much about It, seeing your love for him is not very extensive.
Just five weeks from last Friday I shall go home if nothing happens, I am so anxious to go I can scarcely wait. Mama is not at all well, has the rheumatism so she can't even walk to church, she always has to ride. I worry a great deal about her. I have sent one of my tintypes away and the other I want to keep, if I have two another time I will send one to you.
When you write to May tell her I am still looking for a letter from her. I hope I haven't tired you out with this long letter which I have scratched off to you in double quick time.
It is now about time for church so will close, lovingly
Yours Mary.
[Mary Sheldon, '88.
A.C. is Alfred College.]
P.S. Leona wondered if the walls of Vassar were posted all over with "no smoking." She spoke of that after she asked about you, what do you suppose she was thinking of???
M.S.
