jhhorn
File
Edited Text
Vassar College Oct. 4.
My dear Nellie,
I received your letter this A. M. on my way down stairs to purchase a Livy. I did not get my Livy but it made very little difference. How much news you do have! Poor stupid I with the outer world safely locked out, can tell you little of interest save what immediately concerns us, and although we may be deeply interested in the fact that Miss Johnson has lamed herself so that she can hardly walk, practising gymnastics, or that Miss Burnet desires to room with Lizzie Dramer on the ground that they are congenial spirits, nevertheless we cannot expect you to be particularly entertained thereby. One thing I desire to complain of immediately lest I forget it. That is, the long length of time it takes for our letters to go to and fro. A letter mailed from Detroit on Saturday, reaches here Wednesday, that is not bad, but Mother's letter mailed Tuesday, the day we started, didn't reach here till Sunday. I don't think it is fair at all. So much for growling. What under the sun possessed Mary Colburn? I am so glad it is a little girl. How forlorn Mr. Colburn must feel in Detroit with her out there. I hope she will do nicely all through. How terrible Lulu Goodwin's death is. I can scarcely believe it. I had not heard of her being sick. I saw her out riding a few days before we left. It seems very much like Nellie Davidson's death does it not? Minnie had a paper from home with Tootle Dey's death in it. What was the matter with him? I am very glad that Mother has gone out to Kalamazoo. I hope she will enjoy it ever so much, and stay a long time. H Willie goes out to Mr. Cobb's I know he will like it. They have a very pleasant place and Mr. Cobb is extremely good natured. I am ever so glad that you went to Mrs. Ladue's. You must have enjoyed it highly. Who helped you dress? How kind Mother is! did you make up your handkerchief? What a delightful escort George Pomeroy must have been, but yet, if he did as well as he knows how he would be a great deal better than no one. Who else talked to you? Was you introduced to any one? What time did you get home? You see I believe in plenty of questions to draw one out. The girls must have looked lovely, especially Sara. I fancy that Emma's style of coiffure would have looked better in a tableau than at a dancing party, but of course I cannot tell. What a very brilliant affair it must have been. I wish I had been there to see. Mrs. Ladue should have waited until next winter, when her party might have had a "bright peculiar star." Give rather our warmest congratulations upon his triumph. I am very glad indeed, about as much for the factory as for the bridge. I hope they will get the one in Canada also. Be sure and be very sociable this winter, especially now while Mother is gone and you are alone. I would advise you to call upon Miss Beaument. Remember me to Mr. Pease, if you should see him. Mr. Colburn ditto, also Mr. Freeland. Tell the old Doctor when you see him, that I have forgotten the name of the hill he told us about. We are kept pretty closely here, that is as far as going down town is concerned. We are allowed to wander over seventy acres of the ground at will, (provided we are in immediately after sunset) as the droughts have been so severe this year, that the river channels are exposed in some cases, and after sun down the air is not considered healthy. Eastman's Commercial College in Po'keepsie contains 1100 students, and Bryant & Strattons several hundred, there are two Military Schools and several private schools, so that the streets are running over with young fellows, some of them not of the highest order, there are always plenty of girls in so large and establishment as this who would delight in such fine opportunities to start flirtations with any one they saw, and very probably would get themselves and the teachers into a great deal of trouble, and reflect anything but credit upon the College, therefore I don't at all blame Miss Lyman or the President for hedging our way to town with innumerable difficulties, and flanking us with teachers. For the same reason gentlemen calling on the ladies are to be provided with letters of introduction from their parents. Nellie have pity on me. I am condemned for the space of one week, to sit at Madame Spartan's table and be talked to in French only. Shades of Epicurus! I shall starve altogether. If a skeleton should come to you nicely boxed up, shed a few tears over it for memory's sake, and write as its epitaph, "Died of Madame's French." I am to recite to Prof. Knapp in both French & Latin, and are to study "Knapp's French Grammar" on the plan of Andrews and Stoddard's Latin. I may send home for Racine, but can't say. It will depend on whether the tragedy he wishes us to read, is or is not in the Reader. Prof. Knapp is very handsome but he reminds me of George Cochrane. I have struck up an acquaintance with the "music man" who lives next door. We have confined our remarks so far to "It's a very cold morning," and "Yes Sir", but practice makes perfect. I wish I could have seen Jake Beller chase his watermelon down stairs. It must have been a sight for sore eyes. I have laughed a great deal since I have been here, over our washing as much as anything. We have all had colds in our heads. Minnie is very bad yet, and as we are not allowed but twelve pieces, we have great fun deciding what dozen to send, and what to save over. I thought at first that a dozen was a great plenty, but when I came to count my handkerchiefs, collars, underclothes and so forth, its magnificent proportions dwindled fearfully. I shall have to manage however.
There are a great many girls, whom I know something about, or live near, or know their friends. The other day I was talking to Ida Lynde about Mrs. Lynde when Miss Huntingdon exclaimed "Do you know her friends too? Seems to me you know every body." By the way Kittle Edmonds, daughter of the Judge is here. I haven't seen her yet, but intend to hunt her up. O dear I can't think of anything but that wretched French table. I wish Miss Gilbert would have to sit there all the time. No use blaming her tho, for she only did as she was told. I must stop as it is nearly time for French class. I don't think I put much into my letters, yet I manage to spin them out considerably - Give a great deal of love to every one at home and to the girls - Write as soon as you have time, how remarkably smart you are growing. Yours lovingly Mattie.
My dear Nellie,
I received your letter this A. M. on my way down stairs to purchase a Livy. I did not get my Livy but it made very little difference. How much news you do have! Poor stupid I with the outer world safely locked out, can tell you little of interest save what immediately concerns us, and although we may be deeply interested in the fact that Miss Johnson has lamed herself so that she can hardly walk, practising gymnastics, or that Miss Burnet desires to room with Lizzie Dramer on the ground that they are congenial spirits, nevertheless we cannot expect you to be particularly entertained thereby. One thing I desire to complain of immediately lest I forget it. That is, the long length of time it takes for our letters to go to and fro. A letter mailed from Detroit on Saturday, reaches here Wednesday, that is not bad, but Mother's letter mailed Tuesday, the day we started, didn't reach here till Sunday. I don't think it is fair at all. So much for growling. What under the sun possessed Mary Colburn? I am so glad it is a little girl. How forlorn Mr. Colburn must feel in Detroit with her out there. I hope she will do nicely all through. How terrible Lulu Goodwin's death is. I can scarcely believe it. I had not heard of her being sick. I saw her out riding a few days before we left. It seems very much like Nellie Davidson's death does it not? Minnie had a paper from home with Tootle Dey's death in it. What was the matter with him? I am very glad that Mother has gone out to Kalamazoo. I hope she will enjoy it ever so much, and stay a long time. H Willie goes out to Mr. Cobb's I know he will like it. They have a very pleasant place and Mr. Cobb is extremely good natured. I am ever so glad that you went to Mrs. Ladue's. You must have enjoyed it highly. Who helped you dress? How kind Mother is! did you make up your handkerchief? What a delightful escort George Pomeroy must have been, but yet, if he did as well as he knows how he would be a great deal better than no one. Who else talked to you? Was you introduced to any one? What time did you get home? You see I believe in plenty of questions to draw one out. The girls must have looked lovely, especially Sara. I fancy that Emma's style of coiffure would have looked better in a tableau than at a dancing party, but of course I cannot tell. What a very brilliant affair it must have been. I wish I had been there to see. Mrs. Ladue should have waited until next winter, when her party might have had a "bright peculiar star." Give rather our warmest congratulations upon his triumph. I am very glad indeed, about as much for the factory as for the bridge. I hope they will get the one in Canada also. Be sure and be very sociable this winter, especially now while Mother is gone and you are alone. I would advise you to call upon Miss Beaument. Remember me to Mr. Pease, if you should see him. Mr. Colburn ditto, also Mr. Freeland. Tell the old Doctor when you see him, that I have forgotten the name of the hill he told us about. We are kept pretty closely here, that is as far as going down town is concerned. We are allowed to wander over seventy acres of the ground at will, (provided we are in immediately after sunset) as the droughts have been so severe this year, that the river channels are exposed in some cases, and after sun down the air is not considered healthy. Eastman's Commercial College in Po'keepsie contains 1100 students, and Bryant & Strattons several hundred, there are two Military Schools and several private schools, so that the streets are running over with young fellows, some of them not of the highest order, there are always plenty of girls in so large and establishment as this who would delight in such fine opportunities to start flirtations with any one they saw, and very probably would get themselves and the teachers into a great deal of trouble, and reflect anything but credit upon the College, therefore I don't at all blame Miss Lyman or the President for hedging our way to town with innumerable difficulties, and flanking us with teachers. For the same reason gentlemen calling on the ladies are to be provided with letters of introduction from their parents. Nellie have pity on me. I am condemned for the space of one week, to sit at Madame Spartan's table and be talked to in French only. Shades of Epicurus! I shall starve altogether. If a skeleton should come to you nicely boxed up, shed a few tears over it for memory's sake, and write as its epitaph, "Died of Madame's French." I am to recite to Prof. Knapp in both French & Latin, and are to study "Knapp's French Grammar" on the plan of Andrews and Stoddard's Latin. I may send home for Racine, but can't say. It will depend on whether the tragedy he wishes us to read, is or is not in the Reader. Prof. Knapp is very handsome but he reminds me of George Cochrane. I have struck up an acquaintance with the "music man" who lives next door. We have confined our remarks so far to "It's a very cold morning," and "Yes Sir", but practice makes perfect. I wish I could have seen Jake Beller chase his watermelon down stairs. It must have been a sight for sore eyes. I have laughed a great deal since I have been here, over our washing as much as anything. We have all had colds in our heads. Minnie is very bad yet, and as we are not allowed but twelve pieces, we have great fun deciding what dozen to send, and what to save over. I thought at first that a dozen was a great plenty, but when I came to count my handkerchiefs, collars, underclothes and so forth, its magnificent proportions dwindled fearfully. I shall have to manage however.
There are a great many girls, whom I know something about, or live near, or know their friends. The other day I was talking to Ida Lynde about Mrs. Lynde when Miss Huntingdon exclaimed "Do you know her friends too? Seems to me you know every body." By the way Kittle Edmonds, daughter of the Judge is here. I haven't seen her yet, but intend to hunt her up. O dear I can't think of anything but that wretched French table. I wish Miss Gilbert would have to sit there all the time. No use blaming her tho, for she only did as she was told. I must stop as it is nearly time for French class. I don't think I put much into my letters, yet I manage to spin them out considerably - Give a great deal of love to every one at home and to the girls - Write as soon as you have time, how remarkably smart you are growing. Yours lovingly Mattie.
Media of
