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Vassar College,
Feb. 3rd, 1866
My darling Mother,
I haven't forgotten that today is our little Birdie's birthday. I have thought a great deal about you today - of how lonely you are feeling, and have wished more than ever before, that I might put my arms around you, and talk of our little Angel Baby - Ah Mother dearest! there is our comfort, that she is not only a pure and spotless angel now, but she has never had a stain or blemish to wipe away - She went to our Savior's arms without having "crucified him afresh", as we so often have done, without even one sinful thought to be forgiven. It seems strange, when we think of this side only, that we can mourn for her at all, does it not? How cunning she would have been if she had lived, but how much her knowledge now, surpasses all our earthly wisdom. When spring comes, will you please plant, a white rose, on her grave, for me? I was very much shocked by what you said of Mrs. Avery. I had a letter from Carrie while I was sick, in which she merely mentioned that her Auntie was not at all well, but said nothing whatever about Lucy's having left home. We think there must be something back of it, for a woman of her age, would certainly be capable of lowering her voice, to accomodate a sick person, who had filled the place of a Mother to her, for so many years - It will be too hard for Carrie, I am afraid, to take care of the house and her Auntie both, you know she is not all strong. I wish that if you she can Lucy would go home, and as the President said to us this morning, about being noisy in the halls, "behave like a good girl, and a sensible woman as she is" - I do hope Mrs. Avery will be well soon. Emma was much pleased with her note. She really is not fit to stay a day, but has promised to another week, as they are in great trouble over their music teachers - The girls went down town to day, and got her a beautiful sugar spoon for a wedding present -It is to go from all three of us - The price was five dollars. They had it marked E.S.H. in German letters. I wrote a little note to go with it, and the whole contrivance is waiting for her to come down from the library - She had a birthday yesterday - was twenty six - We shall miss her very much when she goes - Minnie insists she will more than either of us, because she reminds her so much of her sister Lizzie - My sister Harriet made her maiden speech last night, to a crowd of thirty six gaping girls. We, in our humble opinion, considered it very good indeed - I am on the committee, having the scrap box in charge - and am so far ahead of Miss Frost. Emma has come in and as she declares, is knocked all in a heap. She thinks it is beautiful. I am just as well as can be and feel continually with Theedie Sadue "I want to go home. Won't it be gorgeous when next Tune comes? O my! I don't dare to think of it. Emma says she is going to write to you. I am ashamed to say that I have nothing to say, that will interest you in the least - unless it is - that Miss Lyman has been sick, and recovered, that Miss Gilbert, in humble imitation of her superiors, has been and gone, and done likewise, that Hattie, by Prof. Knapp's direction heard Miss G.'s begining Greek class, winning golden opinions from the young ladies - that we have most elegant chocolate every Saturday - &c - &c - I hope I shall feel more interesting next time I write - I gave your thanks to Mrs. Tenney and she seems pleased but said she hadn't done anything at all, which was a society fib - Minnie, Hattie, Emma, and Mattie send great heaps of love to their Father, Mother, bro, and sister.
Mattie -
Feb. 3rd, 1866
My darling Mother,
I haven't forgotten that today is our little Birdie's birthday. I have thought a great deal about you today - of how lonely you are feeling, and have wished more than ever before, that I might put my arms around you, and talk of our little Angel Baby - Ah Mother dearest! there is our comfort, that she is not only a pure and spotless angel now, but she has never had a stain or blemish to wipe away - She went to our Savior's arms without having "crucified him afresh", as we so often have done, without even one sinful thought to be forgiven. It seems strange, when we think of this side only, that we can mourn for her at all, does it not? How cunning she would have been if she had lived, but how much her knowledge now, surpasses all our earthly wisdom. When spring comes, will you please plant, a white rose, on her grave, for me? I was very much shocked by what you said of Mrs. Avery. I had a letter from Carrie while I was sick, in which she merely mentioned that her Auntie was not at all well, but said nothing whatever about Lucy's having left home. We think there must be something back of it, for a woman of her age, would certainly be capable of lowering her voice, to accomodate a sick person, who had filled the place of a Mother to her, for so many years - It will be too hard for Carrie, I am afraid, to take care of the house and her Auntie both, you know she is not all strong. I wish that if you she can Lucy would go home, and as the President said to us this morning, about being noisy in the halls, "behave like a good girl, and a sensible woman as she is" - I do hope Mrs. Avery will be well soon. Emma was much pleased with her note. She really is not fit to stay a day, but has promised to another week, as they are in great trouble over their music teachers - The girls went down town to day, and got her a beautiful sugar spoon for a wedding present -It is to go from all three of us - The price was five dollars. They had it marked E.S.H. in German letters. I wrote a little note to go with it, and the whole contrivance is waiting for her to come down from the library - She had a birthday yesterday - was twenty six - We shall miss her very much when she goes - Minnie insists she will more than either of us, because she reminds her so much of her sister Lizzie - My sister Harriet made her maiden speech last night, to a crowd of thirty six gaping girls. We, in our humble opinion, considered it very good indeed - I am on the committee, having the scrap box in charge - and am so far ahead of Miss Frost. Emma has come in and as she declares, is knocked all in a heap. She thinks it is beautiful. I am just as well as can be and feel continually with Theedie Sadue "I want to go home. Won't it be gorgeous when next Tune comes? O my! I don't dare to think of it. Emma says she is going to write to you. I am ashamed to say that I have nothing to say, that will interest you in the least - unless it is - that Miss Lyman has been sick, and recovered, that Miss Gilbert, in humble imitation of her superiors, has been and gone, and done likewise, that Hattie, by Prof. Knapp's direction heard Miss G.'s begining Greek class, winning golden opinions from the young ladies - that we have most elegant chocolate every Saturday - &c - &c - I hope I shall feel more interesting next time I write - I gave your thanks to Mrs. Tenney and she seems pleased but said she hadn't done anything at all, which was a society fib - Minnie, Hattie, Emma, and Mattie send great heaps of love to their Father, Mother, bro, and sister.
Mattie -
