Sept 26th [11865?]
My dear Mother
I am expecting a letter from home but still thought
I would commence a letter as I had now time.
I have left your letter to-day as I had to be examined and having
now passed through that ordeal I am able to finish my letter. I received
James1 letter to-day and was rather surprised to find you had not
received mine. It is strange to see how contented the girls are here.
I hear of very few eases of homesickness. They have to get Gymnasium dresses here and I have engaged mine with some of the rest of the girls.
The gymnastic teacher gets them. There is a dress and trousers of
gray flannel and it costs about $12 or fourteen dollars and will do for a
bathing dress when I get through with gymnastics I have paid $7. towards it
and would like to have father send me enough to pay the rest and something
for school books- I am enjoying myself very much and have two old
schoolmates at Utica to room with me beside Libby Anderson. Write
soon to me. I did not see Sophie at Rome when I looked out of the window.
Please ask father to send that soon for I want to pay the teacher. Please,
answer soon and tell Henry I shall expect him to write first as he owes me
so many letters Give him my love- Your affectionate
daughter Ella.