Vassar College Digital Library

McGraw, Maria (Dickinson) | to Harriette Warner, Helen Warner, and Martha Warner, Dec. 23, 1866

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Access Control
Date
December 23, 1866
Abstract
VC 1867
Transcript file(s)
Details
Identifier
vassar:24697,Box 71,VCL_Letters_McGraw_Maria_1869_001
Extent
1 item
Rights
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: VCLLettersMcGrawMaria1869001001
Vassar College, Dae* 23, 1866.
Sunday 4 P.M.
My dear young friends,
Helen Hattie fc Mattie:
afternoon and perhaps you are not* but of this fact allow me to assure
you - Blue-Eyes and I are having a delicious time*- If yoa know what that Is,
After dinner I lay dowa oa the sola and Blue-Eyes read to me about Wtonie,
until 1 unceremoniously went to sleep. My nap was not more than ten
minutes long, but refreshed me In a most wonderful manner. We imme-
diately began telling each other what a very alee girl Helea was* admitted
that Hattle had some good traits) and, as nothing was elicited from the coa-
versation to prove that Mattie was wholly bad, I concluded it was my duty
to write a motherly letter to you three. We are having a very prosperoas
time, and, as far as X can see* we are not to have a Christmas tree. 1
have, as yet, beea sacrificed but once for the good of my friends, the col-
lege, female educatloa and the American people In general. - I proceed
to elucidate. Mrs. Teaney and I* braving the elements, went over to Mrs.
Green's Friday afteraooa Whea we returaed the Prof. Informed her that
she had just received aa Invitation to a sleighride in the evening. I came
into my room and found Miss E. Tucker aad Miss A* Hunt, Miss T»
directly Invited me to the ride. I tho't it policy not to object, so I accepted.
The more X thought of it* the more foolish and absurd it seemed to go out

 


: VCLLettersMcGrawMaria1869001002
Dec. 23, 1866 * 2
for pleasure that bitter cold night; and I was almost stupid, and could
scarcely walk with dignity* was so very sleepy. 1 went* and tried to beg
off* but without success. Twenty of us started at eight o•clock. Of tho
party were Prof. Tenney* Prof* Ik Mrs. Wiebd, Prof. fe Mrs. Van Xngen. Wo
went out on the Hyde Park road, about five miles; we tried very hard to
make out it was delightful. We were so fearfully cold that we stopped at
the For bus house to warm* and Prof. Wiebd rushed in to order hot coffee
for nineteen* but he couldn't get it. Wo waited about ten minutes, and than
packed into the sleigh tor another long ride homse. For all this pleasure
we were charged only eighty cents apiece. I knew I was very silly to think
of going, and when I arrived at home 1 had the satisfaction of thinking that
I had been so well punished that I would probably never become greatly
demoralized from sleighing to excess. Friday morning Miss L*
spoke to us and said she wanted us to feel as if we were visiting our aunt,
teachers but our cousins. The former shows her cousinly interest by
making the girls on her corridor go to bed at ten o'clock. The rest of us
don't go to bed at all unless it suits our convenience. Miss Grant has
moved Into Miss Usher's room. Mr. Fleeman gave us miserable buck*
wheat cakes for breakfast* and a dire dinner today. Misses Avery Grant
& Miner heard Curtis lecture on "Conservatism" Fri. P.M. Blue-Eyes
lives with me all the time. Miss (Brown?) made me a long visit yesterday

 


: VCLLettersMcGrawMaria1869001003
Dec. 23, 1866 - 3
aad proved to be a very pleasant and communicative girl. I bad fetter
from Tom and six "Little Orphans" from Maggie FrL noon. Tom sent
his love and a Merry Christmas to all three of you. He expects to be In
Kalamazoo or Chicago on Tues. Miss Lyman told us last night that she
had darned two pairs of stockings. Libbie Owens went to Christ Church
with me this morning. It has rained nearly all day and the thermometer
has been at about 35°. Miss Geiger says "Tell Mattle for me that we
have ho sermon today. She sends her love to you all, and expects Mattie
to write her a long letter Tues.
Hoping to hear from you soon I am lovingly and sincerely
Your friend,
M. L. Dickinson. v
\\
Yv >
(Maria (Dickinson) McGraw, <67,
Reed* Mo a. A.M. a letter from Lillie and at noon one from Miss Gilbert
saying she is glad I am coming fee. It appears to have been mailed Sat.
but has no date. She Is much better but caa*t sit up, and of course I can't
go now Dear friends, what If she doesa't receive the letters I wrote Wed.
night and still expects me.
To Harriette Warner, '67, and Helen and Martha Warner, '68.