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Date
May 23, 1868
Abstract
VC 1870
Creator
Transcript file(s)
Subject (Topical)
Details
Identifier
vassar:25317,,Box 23,VCL_Letters_Woodworth_Mary_1870_019
Extent
1 item
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: VCLLettersWoodworthMary1870019001
V.C. Saturday P.M.
May 23. 1868.
My darling mother.
The species of consolation that was Job's especial comforter has also been mine to a greater degree than I expected when I last wrote you. Wednesday I found a good deal of difficulty in keeping around and Thursday I kept my room. I could in not sit up and my only comfortable position was lying on my right side. This became very tiresome after a while and I began to feel sincere sympathy with any one who had been laid up with a broken limb. I kept my bed yesterday also, but during dinner went to take a bath. I took it in very warm water and when I got out, saw it was ready to break.
May 23. 1868.
My darling mother.
The species of consolation that was Job's especial comforter has also been mine to a greater degree than I expected when I last wrote you. Wednesday I found a good deal of difficulty in keeping around and Thursday I kept my room. I could in not sit up and my only comfortable position was lying on my right side. This became very tiresome after a while and I began to feel sincere sympathy with any one who had been laid up with a broken limb. I kept my bed yesterday also, but during dinner went to take a bath. I took it in very warm water and when I got out, saw it was ready to break.
: VCLLettersWoodworthMary1870019002
Thereupon I commenced the dreary operation of pressing and squeezing it. oh dear! I thought I should die almost. I was away from human ears and I took the opportunity of crying as hard as any five year old could. I felt exceedingly tired and after gathering up my things lay down on the floor for a few moments to rest. Meantime Saidee had come from dinner and seeing that I was away came to see me and I told her I would be out in a few moments Pretty soon I got up to come out and then began to feel so strangely. I could not get a breath of air and I sank onto the floor gasping for breath, oh it was such a horrible feeling. I knew I was going to faint away alone and the door was locked.
Some one was outside calling to know if she couldn't come in
Some one was outside calling to know if she couldn't come in
: VCLLettersWoodworthMary1870019003
and saying to someone else. "Some young lady is going to faint away", I had just strength to unlock the door and in half a moment went clear off. They threw up the window and took me to it then got water, camphor and so forth. In five or ten minutes I felt well enough to come back to my room and concluded to lie down for the rest of the day.
The boil discharged fearfully for it was a very large one. I am glad I have not had to go through with it again since. All the afternoon I had those faint spells and my stomach was so unsettled. The air seemed so close and sultry too. While the girls were at tea I got up and went to the window where I could breath to my heart's content. It is not uncommon for the girls to faint away in the bath room and even in the tub alone.
The boil discharged fearfully for it was a very large one. I am glad I have not had to go through with it again since. All the afternoon I had those faint spells and my stomach was so unsettled. The air seemed so close and sultry too. While the girls were at tea I got up and went to the window where I could breath to my heart's content. It is not uncommon for the girls to faint away in the bath room and even in the tub alone.
: VCLLettersWoodworthMary1870019004
I shall never dare take one again if I am not well unless I leave the door open with someone outside to keep guard. Today I am better but have not been out. My braided nightgown and wrapper are "on duty" in consequence. I have had quantities of wild flowers brought, and plenty of visitors. Last night I was to have a reading in our society but of course could not go and I sent my excuse to the president.
Saidee also has received a box from home this week. It came yesterday and she was so delighted with it. Her commencement dress is of tarleton trimmed with rusches and puffed waist. Then she has an organdie something like Emilie Gibson's only not quite so nice, and a buff cambric trimmed with cluny lace. All her things are pretty and gotten up with same care that
Saidee also has received a box from home this week. It came yesterday and she was so delighted with it. Her commencement dress is of tarleton trimmed with rusches and puffed waist. Then she has an organdie something like Emilie Gibson's only not quite so nice, and a buff cambric trimmed with cluny lace. All her things are pretty and gotten up with same care that
: VCLLettersWoodworthMary1870019005
mine were. We have been enthusiastic in our appreciation of the kindness and good taste of our mothers. Mother how beautifully you packed my box! I wish I could imitate you when I come to pack for home. How do you suppose I am going to get all my things into two trunks ? I have ever so many extra books and were it not for Mary Dwight's kindness I should have an extra German dictionary. You know I have an unabridged english, two Latin and a French. Then with shawls, cloaks, blanket &c. I shall have my hands and trunks full. I believe I will leave some of my old things for the Howard Mission or the Freedmen. Do you not think I had better?
You know that brown poplin dress is pretty nearly useless to me and I think I have other things
You know that brown poplin dress is pretty nearly useless to me and I think I have other things
: VCLLettersWoodworthMary1870019006
that I shall find when I come to pack. After next week we can not have any thing charged at the office and week after next the bills will be ready to send. I have had some of the Botanical instruments charged and for medical attendance it will be something. I believe I have not had much else. In two or three weeks the railroad agents will be here with tickets and checks. Just think of the bliss of going home. I shall have been away from Lisbon six months - twice as long as ever before. I received your letter today and it is the second I have had this week. You have no need to worry you see about the extent of my correspondence. I am glad Mrs. Knights has an easy saddle. I have been wondering whether we still had the one I used to have The saddles here are elegant. They
: VCLLettersWoodworthMary1870019007
have an extra pommel under the left one which is hollowed out so that the leg which is on the under side slips up under it and then the foot is just right for the stirrup. We use two reins, the curb and snaffle. I should not know how to get along without them and they are so much nicer than one. I should much prefer a riding dress of my own, but Saidee is glad to lend me hers I know and there is so little time longer now that I do not mind it. She got me some riding gloves in the city the other day that are pretty but do not suit me at all. I told her not to get any that cost over $ 1.25 but she paid fifty cts. more and now I am not satisfied at all. Shall I change them the next time I go down if possible. I want more of a drab color and deeper gauntletts. I should not
: VCLLettersWoodworthMary1870019008
have sent by her, but was in great need of them for I hate to have to borrow gloves everytime I ride. Owing to this boil I have not ridden since week ago last Tuesday but in a few days I can go again. It has been the means of saving tickets and I shall ride a good deal I hope before I go home. What a sad case that was about the little George boy! I don't remember him at all. Is it Darius George's son? I thought of father and that it was his birthday Thursday when I was in bed and had a chance to think of everything. I hoped it would be a pleasant day for you all. I did what I thought he would most approve - via. read the N.Y. Daily Tribune, containing a full acct. of the first session of the Chicago Convention. I have a better chance for news now for a friend of Miss Powells
: VCLLettersWoodworthMary1870019009
sends her the Daily Tribune and in addition she has the Semi Weekly Post, and Anti Slavery Standard. I can have them any time I have chance to read. Aren't you glad that Colfax is vice-president? I almost wish it were in inversed order. Colfax and Grant would sound better to me than Grant and Colfax, and the signification would strike me as better too.
I would have liked the maple honey, but I had so many things that I missed nothing. Do not regret the fact that you did not send it for it might have made me sick. Well I have got pretty tired writing so long and will say good bye with a heart full of love for you all.
Mary.
[Mary (Parker) Woodworth, '70]
I would have liked the maple honey, but I had so many things that I missed nothing. Do not regret the fact that you did not send it for it might have made me sick. Well I have got pretty tired writing so long and will say good bye with a heart full of love for you all.
Mary.
[Mary (Parker) Woodworth, '70]
