Vassar College Po'keepsle
Sept. 25th 1865.
My Dear Mother,
You will doubtless be surprised to hear from me
again so soon as it was only this morning that I sent a letter to Father
but I have so many little things that I wish to say to you I have concluded
to write a short letter to-night. We have just come to our rooms for the even-
ing and Emma and Mary are both writing at the same table as myself.
The other girls have gone out to a surprise in one of the other rooms.
Emma received two letters this morning and it was very hard for me to
be reconciled to not having yet received one. My examination commenced
this afternoon but I did not have time for anything but my conversation
with Dr. Raymond and examination in Geography. 1 got along in that
passably well for although I did not pass to my satisfaction I think I did
as well as the other girls who were examined at the same time. I went to
Prof. Knapp for my French and Latin but it was so late in the afternoon
he only took my name and wishes me to be excused from Chapel exercises
and come at that time to-morrow morning. I do not dread them half as
much since I have got commenced.
Emma is going down to Pokeepsie tomorrow to spend the day at Mrs
Booth's as there is to be a wedding, one of her relations. How X should
like to be away too. When I went up with Em. to-day to see Miss Lyman about
being excused to-morrow she told me to ask her about calls so I did. Miss
Sept. 23, 1865 - 2
Lyman wished to know If I had friends here and I said yes there was a
gentleman in Pokeepsle with whom I was acquainted and Em. spoke up
and said it was Mr Bartlett a presbyterian minister so Miss Lyman said
"of course I could see the Rev. Mr Bartlett under whose charge I was."
I thought Em. and I would laugh but we did not say anything and managed to
keep sober until we got out of the room. So now you see she considers
me "under his charge" and I do hope he will call for I am half crazy to see
some one from outside this prison. Do hurry and write me whether Mr.
White has accepted the call to Ithaca and all about it. I commenced this
letter because I had several things I wished to tell you but it has seemed
almost impossible to break off writing other things. I have so much I should like to tell you. But now first Mother I want a calico bag for my soiled clothes. We are all required to have one to send them to the laundry in.
I think one as large as a pillow case would be about right, ff you cannot
send it let me know and I will get the material and make it here. And
about my dress for exercising, you will want the skirt about three quarters
of a yard long I think and the drawers long enough to come to my ankles
when down the whole length aad the elastic will keep them up, some are
having theirs made of water proof cloth. It takes 5 1/2 yards of that I believe,
I may think of something more if so I will add it tomorrow morning. And
now good night and remember you owe me ever so many letters. With love
to all
Sept. 25, 1865 - 3
Your affectionate daughter,
Ella
P.S. I forgot that I want my ball of yarn for mending my stockings &
which I forgot and I wish you would send me some little fancy work, a
band to embroider^ or something of that kind. I think that is all but if
I think of anything more you will have another letter soon. I think I shall
write to Auntie to-day if I finish my examinations. Miss Lyman said I
might write to her if I would bring the letter and have her enitials put on.
Good bye now
and write soon
Ella
Rember to Jennie and all othrs who enquire.