Vassar, Jan. 11/66

My dear Nellie,
What a "ridiculous mess" that you don't get our letters, I have mailed no less than three letters home (including one to Sara) since I returned from Brooklyn, and Hattie has two. I can't imagine what the trouble is. Hattie wrote once from Brooklyn. Minnie has lost letters from home and we are in a ridiculous state of affairs generally. We propose that Hattie should visit the P.O.M of this devoted city, and see where the trouble lies. I wrote Mother a great long letter of three sheets, you one of two, and Sara ditto. Hattie wrote to Willie and to Mother. What a shame that so many efforts of our genius should have been lost. You can have no idea how perfectly happy trio we were here yesterday afternoon. A little young one who wails on the door, came into the chemistry class, and handed a card to Prof. Farrar, requesting her attendance in the parlor, immediately after lecture. After class Minnie was leisurly examining the card when Hattie turned it over and read "Miss M. L. Dickinson, Detroit." Minnie was so completely stunned that she wouldn't believe it, and actually came up to our room before going into the parlor. But before long she returned, with not only her Mother, but also her brother Charlie! Imagine our Joy! It was next to seeing one of you. They stayed until Pat came to announce that the last omnibus was going when they departed for the city taking Minnie with them. We are in momentary expectation of their return - Minnie was almost crazy. As she told Mrs. Tenney "her mother nearly killed her." (Yet I think it is pleasanter for one's friends to come very unexpectedly, it prevents all that hope deferred feeling, and inability to study which are inevitable companions of the corridor window and omnibus. I am very much obliged for all the news you wrote. How frisky the young people are growing. I thought last summer that very likely Emma Butler and Mr. Morgan would reach a conclusion. Frank Raymond seems to have an affinity for cultivated society, what a shame that he is his Mother's son. Terry Taylor and May Carrier I find no fault with, only I would leave Sevon Griggs at home. Delia Woolsey is rather sorely paid for her folly in regard to Mr. Eves. It is a lesson which I hope and believe she will never forget. I am very sorry for her, how very mortifying such an affair is. I want to go home dreadfully Nellie! when school closes won't I go on the first train and not stop till I get there. Minnie and I are agreed on that. I am not going to write anything over that I have written - until I find out whether you don't get them at all - Hattie is going to direct to Father and I to the Detroit Bridge and Iron Works. We are both going to send a letter by Mrs. Dickinson and if those don't reach you I'll telegraph. I never knew any letters so villainous. Tell Sara that I have written to her and that she ought to have it, and if she hasn't it I am not only sorry but also mad, and will try again, and if that doesn't reach her she had better try me. I hope you won't have this letter framed nor even preserved with extraordinary care - for my biographers - because I don't feel so proud of it as I might - Either in rhetoric or chirography, or orthography - nevertheless I don't want it lost before your having the pleasure of perusing it - I am sorry that Hattie Benson isn't coming here. I want to go home - Tell Mother that my letter was spandangulous, it will be a terrible loss to the literary world if that production doesn't come to light -

With much love I am your obedient servant Martha S. Warner