Stanford Student Letters and Memoirs

[written] 1 (Rose) 1

[typed] Sunday- September the eighth 1895.

My dearest Nannie,

How I wish you could see us this morning in our cosy room. Everyone says "Oh, how homey" the minute they come into the door. But I am not going to describe it, so you will be surprised when you come down. The university has its same atmosphere of peaceful grandeur that it had in the summer even though there is a registration of eight hundred and six students. Last night there was a rush between the Freshman and the Sophs. The sophomores won. The Freshmen consist of the shortest youngest boys imaginable., and had but little chance against full fledged college men. By way of special disgrace the class of '99 was tied and marched in front of Roble and their faces lighted up by torches, it seemed pityful to see the poor little freshies so in the hands of the older men, but probably they thought it the grandest night of their lives.

Miss Thompson is lovely. The Hall is not very full and the girls are very nice. I had a letter from Helen Lathrop. She is not coming back. She feels that it is too expensive. Her father is better and she is with him at Crystal Springs.

Mr. Peete called yesterday in the Episcopal garb. He is delightful - such a courtly gentleman of the old school. He said Dr. Wakefield was expected home soon having been ill in Venice with the fever, and all his money stolen besides. It struck me as being perfectly ludicrous but I managed to be politely solicitous. How splendid it is that Mr. Foote is better. No doubt they enjoyed a glimpse of you so much. Do give so much love to Auntie Sue. Theodora was so glad to see her at the station the day she was in San Jose. To-morrow the classes meet for the

[written] 2

[typed] first time. They were to meet Friday but did not on account of Mrs. Pease's funeral. She died in child birth, and the dear little Harold and Allan are left motherless beside the little new-born one.

Theodora has decided upon History as her major as it is a stronger course than drawing. She has made out her program satisfactorily. I am not yet quite decided upon mine.

We have a bouquet of yellow gorse on our bureau that fills the room with fragance. That reminds me that I have read the Bonnie Briar story andthink it the sweetest thing I have seen for ever so long. So full of simple pathos and keen wit.

I caught a glimpse of Mrs. Maitland the other day and she said she was so glad we brought down some of the magazines that se she had wanted to get them down but had had no opportunity that was convenient. I have not seen Mrs. Dunn or Mrs. Hudson. I have a big "trade you last" for you from Prof. Hudson. Speaking of the summer course in Tennyson he spoke of it as being unsatisfactory, but, he said, of course for any one like Miss Dow who is well-read and familiar with most everything of Tennyson, it is very interesting" etc - it may sound like more of a last for Hudson, but then most of his compliments seem to turn out that way. But I must write to Helen Lathrop - so bye bye- with love to everyone in San Jose and most to yourself- Your loving --- ---

[written] 3 b V

all night - then Rose is going back with her Saturday to be fitted a and return the hat. I think I am going to like mine very much. It is plain and therefore what I like. I succeeded in getting all your P.P.C.'s off by Monday, so this is all attended to.

Sunday evening.

I must confess to studying French Revolution nearly all day. We are to have an examination next week and the subject is so comprehensive!

Rose and Marguerite went to the city Saturday- Rose exchanging her hat for one that I like much better. It is a flat crowned and flat rimmed hat with cock feathers- black and white egrette-and black and white ribbon on it. Rose says her waist is to be a beauty. Kate Stabler went up to Miss O'Shanders and told here to do her best for us. But I have about decided not to have a silk waist. Iwill wear what I have and shall be much more content and happy about it if I don't have one. It is only another thing. Marguerite had a very pretty jacket with such pretty sleeves. No fulness at the top yet hung so beautifully full from the gores in them, ( My spelling is something eratic tonight). Miss MacKinnon drove down from San José Saturday to see her brother and spent the day at tbe University. I caught only a glance of her just as she was starting for home. She enquired for you and sent a great deal of love for you.

I received a paper containing the account of Uncle Lemson's passing on. Do give Aunt Clara our love and write to your girls soon.

Love from Theodora.

Last night we (about 20) went on a moonlight ride to Redwood City and back. Had refreshment at Mrs. Braly's on our return. Delicious ice cream and wafers. Bessie and Bertha did not go because Bertha ran over in her cart their pet dog in the afternoon killing him. They were inconsolable.

[written] 3. (Rose) p. 4

[typed] Sunday evening, September 29, '95

My darling Nannie,

Theodora is studying out loud with one of the girls, so if my letter is mixed up with the "tiers Etat" or any other French Revolutionary terms don't be surprised. This week has been a very full one- Sunday Alice Hayes and I went over to Palo Alto to church and had such a good sermon from dear Mr. Peete - He is a grand upholder of the church, and his simple service I already feel I cannot go without. Monday was a day of lectures and Tuesday I was astounded to see Kate Stabler, Edna Bowman, and Rowena Beans in the quadrangle. Kate had stopped off from a visit to San Jose and Edna had come with her. Edna leaves next month for Germany with Meda Bowman. Rowena Beans was as sweet as ever, and Kate was the same old Kate and more could not be said. She took luncheon with us, and regretted not being able to stay over night to hear Dr. Jordan's lecture on"War Times". Rowena brought a Irishman friend to call in the afternoon- a dear little Miss Bessie Blossom of the Beardsley type of girl, and I was delighted to make her acquaintance as I had admired her in the library. S The events of Monday have come back to me. I remember it was a very blue Monday. I had my first examination under Prof. Andersen and felt that I didn't put down all that I knew. A very crushing conviction as I knew anything short of that wasn't worth anything. My new hat came down and was hideous, it lacked just the indescribable air that made the other becoming. Of course, I was disappointed. Now to continue with Wednesday. I was sent to the blackboard in French, and as I had the corrected sentences I quite distinguished myself. That is all I remember of that day. Thursday I got a letter from Marguerite saying that she would come down Friday and stay over till Saturday with me. The whole day was a pleasure. Theodora and I spent the afternoon in studying French Revolution together, and afterward, as it was intensely

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[typed] but thought afterward of a number of people but I had spent my extra twenty cents in balloons for Rob. and Gladys. On my way to the Valencia St. station I stopped off at Louise's , had a glimpse of the children- they both seemed well. I got on the train to find Miss Bessie Blossom who had gone down with us in the morning and also dear lovely Mrs. Jerohuan and Prof. Jerohuan. Isn't she beautiful? I told her about you and Aunt Clair and Uncle Lemson's going and she and Prof. Jerohuan asked Theodora and me to come over there, and they would meet us whenever we would let them know. And they promised to see us whenever they came to the university. The ride down was very short and I reached Roble just in time for dinner. Theodora and I accepted a Kappa Kappa Gamma (girl's fraternity) invition to go for a moonlight ride. About twenty girls went in the very long bus. The night was very beautiful and we rode beyond Redwood city and back, stopping at the Braly's for ice-cream and cake on the way home. The poor Braly girls are broken hearted over the loss of their pet dog- Sir Peter. Bertha was devoted to the little thing, and the other day when she was out driving she ran over it and killed. it. The shock has quite unnerved her. She didn't go on the drive nor we didn't see her in the evening. The drive was beautiful, coming home Miss Kitty Hasket (a Vassar girl) and I sat in the drivers seat and enjoyed it so much. The girls sang and made themselves lively.

( page six of letter missing)

....Would you like the syllabi for the course? I can get it for you if you do. Prof. Howard is such an ardent, interesting apeaker. I like Prof. Andersen sever so much but want to do so well under him that I don't do well at all. French is great fun, and Anglo Saxon very dry but highly beneficial. Sometime this week I want to go to San Jose to get the stiffening for my black sleeves, that is out at Mrs. Ballins and get Miss Smead to put it in order. If I were where I had