Stanford Student Letters and Memoirs

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[typed] were the foresters and they looked too pretty for anything in their tan and hunters green, they thought it a great lark to smile at their friends in the audience. Genie Mabury came down to go with Paul and she took luncheon with us. She looked ever so pretty in her brown Eastern suit. I am sorry to say that my good marks in my last exams quite turned my head and I have done very poor studying ever since, but it is not going to continue for this has been a day of resolves. This morning I went to church and heard such a good sermon from Mr. Peete - it is such a privilege to hear such a good sermon so often. I always try to sit in the seat we sat in when we went but it is nearly always filled when I get there, as I always walk (both ways) Mr. Peete wants the Roble girls to see to the church decorations every third Sunday. Oh, our dresses for the S.A.E. party a week ago were lovely. Theodora's was so rich and she was the queen of the evening. Mine was pretty too and I enjoyed dancing so much I thought I had forgotten how, but a beautiful floor and music and good partners made it all come back to me. Their house is such an elegant one - so rich and plain. They had a millionaire member - Mr. Sayre-who evidently has beautiful taste and as Prof. Hudson said "knows hows to hie" There is great excitement over the Thanksgiving game Berkeley has a very strong coach and team and is winning games right and left, while our men have shown much enthusiasm. I am afraid the outlook is dubious. I don't know whether I can go to the game or not - I don't believe I'll have the money so if I can't I'll stay home with a story, it may have lots of swear words in it though. Its a shame that you have such a tug with you sewing - but no doubt you have a great success to look forward too as an inspiration. Therarteritum is so gorgeous now with its Toyon berries in full crimson. There is such a quanity this year and they are more loyal than ever. Yes-

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Thanksgiving, 1895

My dearest Nannie-

This is a day in gray, gray asphaltem, gray sky, gray trees, even the houses are gray as I look out of the window where I am curled up in the sofa cushions with the wrapper on that you made me, it is such a comfort now that I have my flannels on and want something to lounge in. All morning I have felt very virtuous and holy because I could not go to the big game, and I suppose I have looked as glum as such self esteem calls for, but this afternoon I am reversing my opnion and am fast concluding that it was the most sensible and natural thing in the world and that I am the most egotistical puff of conceit that ever breathed. The whole university is in 'Frisco to-day-an elight train all draped in red and tooting the Stanford yell, left here at eight o'clock. One of the girls is going to telegraph me as soon as the game is over won. Gracious ! I wonder what the score will be ! I don't see how the stat statues in the museum can refrain from leaping off from sheer excitement. Snatches of football songs keep going through my head so if this letter resolves itself into a medly of "When all the people from round about - With Cardinal ribbon come out to shout - When we put Berkeley up the spout + And Cochran kicked the goal" or poor old Berkeley - Berkeley wow wow wow Poor deluded Berkeley tra-la-la-la-lao-la - Our banner is the cardinal - The color true and bold - That never lost a victory - or bowed to blue and gold.

It is simply pouring, though the weather for all the practice games has been lovely. Really all month we have had the most perfect days, bright and clear, just cold enough to make life snappy.

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[typed] Saturday [written] Jan 16 '97

[typed] My dearest Nannie,

Your dear letter just received and read and I'd like to squeeze you to pieces. Do hope you won't have a very bad time in Cazenovia. Last evening was astonished by the breathless appearance of Mr. Royce Stroker who wanted me to go to a Glee club concert on the spur of the moment. Of course I went, and had such a good time. He is a dear fine fellow and the concert was splendid. The two clubs - the glee and mandolin - have just been and had a very jolly tour but of course are deep in debt so this concert was to help defray expenses. To-day Mr. Abbott asked me to go for a walk back into the hills but as it is cloudy and damp I thought we better postpone so we are going to Palo Alto to do some errands instead. Have you read "King N-" by Stimson yet? It is called the Lorna Doone of America and promises to be a splendid historical novel of the time of Cromwell & Charles and the settling of Massachusetts and Virginia colonies. Mr. Workman lent it to me and I have just begun it. Did I tell you he adked me to drive down to San Mateo some day to see Theodora? We are going some field day.

Am so glad you like the pictures - I was afraid you wouldn't but I had them taken just for you.

Our glle club I think is finer than the Berkeley Glee club a good deal, and has the additional attraction of a very good mandolin club. Mr. Abbott has just resigned his leadership of the glee club. His voice is magnificent. To-morrow Bishop Nichols preaches in the chapel. I am so anxious to hear him. I think in the afternoon I'll go and see the Andersons.

Bye-the-way did Mama get the Shelly set? We take Shelly up just as soon as we finish Byron, and if you have his works and could spare them could you send them on to me? Next Tuesday evening the Jordan's give a reception in honor of Mr. Washington Lee Capp. His chief claim to distinction is to his ancestors I believe, as he is a lineal descendent from the Washingtons & Lees. He does not believe in co-education so Mrs. Jordan has selected a very few of the students beside the faculty to him the falacy of his views. I have the honor to be among the number. Mrs. Jordan is lovely to me oving to her recollection of beautiful Mama. This week I have come into possession of a book case that is very much more substantial & keeps the books very much better than the little bamboo ones. In itself it is not elegant by any means - red wood and with a sort of top as it was made for one of the ex-Roble girls who read and wrote standing on account of her health. It has an open book in the (lectarn) an umbrella plant, my little old lamp, Mama's work basket and Papa's & Mama's pictue so the whole makes a very pretty addition to my room. I have lent my bamboo shelves to Marylyn & Alice Colt for safe keeping. Am going to get some carbolic acid & glycerine this afternoon for throat gargle. There is such an epidemic of colds & grip that I think it will do to have some on hand. Mirian's home now with grip, and Laura has just recovered. Mrs. Baker is lovely. She wears dear little dresses made with surplice fronts like Mama's, and is about her height. Not pretty with a heart full of goodness and sweetness. Can't think of another thing today except that Maggie Scott is here off and on now, just exactly as she used to look.

If I can get hold of the Palo Alto that had the glee club tour in it, I'll sent it to you. The picture of Mr. Abbott is not at all good.

Bye bye Roodles

January 16'97 Roble

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[typed] We are having the most delicious kind of cold weather - snow way down in the foothills within an hours ride from the campus. The clouds are beautiful and the air so invigorating - it is impossible to get nearer Mt Hamilton than Smith's creek.

The Glee Club is giving to give a concert in San Jose next Friday night and there is to be quite a swell dance afterwards. I and Theodora had invitations from Bell Clark who is one of the patronesses as is also Mrs. W.K. Beans, Mrs. Frank Wright, Mrs. Maclaren, Mrs. Schneider Mrs. Liet, Park, Pann and Phillips.

I don't know whether I shall go or not. Stanford Glee Club is very popular in San Jose - much more so than Berkeley - that reminds me I believe you inquired about Howard Veeder. I have not heard of seen him for over a year. He was graduated last May and I believe is at Angel's camp in the Jupiter mine where Mr. Thompson and Augusta live.

Theodora and I had the wedding cards of Kate McGrew and She is to marry a Dr. Bryant Cooper very soon. Tom you know is in New York at the Columbia medical college

Goodnight- your very loving Toodles

There is a financial red tape about our fraternity - all expenses are to betmet by assessments as they are incurred.

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[typed] May 31 - '97 San Jose at Gertrudes

Nannie dearest -

Well, well, the very first Sunday after the routine was over I missed writing my letter to you- not that I did anything that day - but just luxuriated in my laziness from morning till night. The week has been such a full one and has ended by my finding myself here at Mrs. McMillans eating my head off at her excellent table. I don't know which end to begin but guess with this morning's happiness - for Gertrude, after she saw Theodora off for Stanford on the 8o'clock train, went with me out to the cemetery. We started a little after eight o'clock with Punch and the Phaeton and had such a happy cool ride and found the dear resting place beautifully kept. I had gotten the St. Joseph lilies from the altar at church the evening before that Miss Wakefield so very kindly offered and you can picture how pretty each mound looked with its two stalks of pure lilies. It is Memorial Day of course and before we left many people had begun coming out. We drove around town in the same old jog fashion and I had a satisfactory little talk with Mr. Gostey- just to let him know that Theodora had gone to the University for the summer work and could be easily reached by telephone. I like him ever so much and feel sure he is doing his level best for the Payne estate.

Of course, Theodora has told you about the day or two here and calling upon Aunty Carry and Auntie Sue and Mrs Ballou who are all well and inquiring about you. The last commencement days were full of utmost confusion a. The most delightful thing was the Promenade Concert - the night was just warm enough mild and bright with stars - the dear Quad was outlined with chinese langterns and San Francisco's best orchestra gave the most beautiful music near the east entrance - the whole reminded me more of the World's Fair than anything else - all of the short arcades were transformed into pretty booths where different sets of girls met their friends and served refreshments. Prof.Allardice gave a little dinner party just before inviting two Miss Risings-daughters of Prof. Rising of Berkeley - who were visitinging the university, Grace Barstow, a Mr. Stadmiller from S.F. Mrs Myrich for chaperone and myself. It was the most charming dinner I was ever at- deliciously cooked and so daintily served with Prof. Young passing the coffee or passing the champagne and Prof. Allardice carving the roast. It certainly takes men to entertain beautifully. I felt very honored to have my first and last promendde with Prof. Allardice and to have him escort me home.

In your last letter you asked about Mr. Pomeroy - he was assistant professor in law last year but is now practising in the city and is a great friend of the Myricks where I met him - he is the son of the great law text book maker and jurist - don't be alarmed about him he is harmless and likes to call and make himself entertaining. I find my most congenial friends among the youngn professors - though the boys are lovely yet their tastes grow toward freshmen girls as mine grow toward freshmen. the faculty.

Mr. and Mrs. Teggart asked me to tea during commencement and I found them spending a few last days in a dear little cottage before moving into another still dearer little cottage just newly built - the have the most rollicking sixteen month old baby - so intelligent and jolly - light like the mother, but with the father's features. The tea was deliciously cooked and served by Mrs. Teggart - Mrs. Maitland and her Helen were there and the table talk was so bright and entertaining - all about politics