Stanford Student Letters and Memoirs

[written] p 327

[typed] Christmas Day - at Roble - 1896

My dearest Nannie -

Thank you so much for the present - I am going to invest it when I see just what I want and need. I was so sorry not to get a Christmas letter off to you but I hope Theodora told you how rushed with exes I was - simply didn't have time to eat, sleep, or talk much less write letters, two set papers and four examinations in three days. But they are all over now and Theodora and I are enjoying our Christmas ever so much. There were lectures and examinations right up till noon Wednesday. And Wednesday evening some of the Zete boys came over and we made candy and played cards. Last night some of the Rho Eta boys - Mr. Holbrook, Mr. Will Thomas and Mr. Royce Strohn stayed after dinner and we repeated the performance of the night before. To-day all the girls are asked over to the Zete house by Mrs. Baker for five o'clock Christmas dinner which I think is very jolly. This morning we had a dear Christmas service and Mr. Prof. Fairclough asked me to her home for Christmas dinner but of course I couldn't accept, but Theodora and I are going to call there to-morrow, as well as at the Stillmans, Angels, Gilmans, Teggarts, Jordans, Thetas, Mrs. Bralys and the Kappas!

I hope you like the picture. The one in the center of the large group is Helen Younger, the three on the right side Jessie Haskel, Alice Colt, and I; the three on the left side are Miriam, Kathe Hadkell, and Marylyn Main, Marylyn sits corresponding to me. I was sorry we sent them to Cazerona but they will be there on your return from Rome. I sent the back view to show you how the little party gown was made that shows better than any of the pictures. I don't know as you will care for that view, if you do not you can send it back, if you do be sure and keep it the same with the big group.

We were delighted with the excellent picture of you in the GIsland group. It looks just like you. I am glad to see Elsie keeps her mouth open in a picture too, I simply cannot shut mine. We are going to spend New Years with Mr. Myrick which will give me a chance to get me a suit for the second semester, and have a change tool. In the meantime I can rest and mend. It really is very very pleasant staying here. Dr. Jordan is just home and we are all so thankful we hope to have the matron changed the one we have is too old and unintellectual to be in anyway competent.

It was so much fun last night to see the girls unpack their Christmas boxes - such quantities of lovely things and fruit cakes, candies, jams etc., I have eaten myself full several times which is a swell sensation for a Roble girl.

Prof. Anderson is such a dear darling old blessing I just love him; he is too nice and sociable for anything. So is Miss Daralu - my education instructor. Gertrude is spending her Christmas with Dean in Marysville.

I had a Columbia spectator come yesterday from Jack Reynolds, one of the twenty Stanford men who are at Columbia or in New York now.

Theodora is so enthusiastic and wrapped up in her work, she can scarcely wait to go to the Institute in San Jose next week - Think of it! She looks very well in her beautiful new tailor gown.

We are having delightful Christmas weather just enough sunshine to make the frost brilliant every morning. The Encina boys take their in Roble during vacations which is a pleasant diversion - as there are quite a number of the nice ones staying. The Sigma Sigma party was postponed till next term and is to very extra superfine. When it does come off. So I am still waiting to wear the dear Liberty scarf. Give

[written] 1

[typed] January 1st 1897

My dear Nannie - -

It seems very natural to write - 1897 - I think it will seem strange only when 1900 comes. This whole winter so far has been like a beautiful spring season with a few exceptions when it poured but seemed to get through when it stopped and the atmosphere became so clear and warm and bright between times. Monday last I went down to San Jose' and enjoyed the Institute discussions very much - but all the Stanford profs were there' What a thing for Cal this University is and will be can not be estimated. I suppose Rose did not write you of the scrape a fortnight ago at the Hall. You see Mrs. Stanford put a matron in who was thoroughly incompetant and when at the beginning of my vacation I came here Rose and Helen together with many other girls were most desirious of leaving the hall fearing something dreadful would happen and the cloud fall on all. It came sooner than expected in the form of 7 girls becoming intoxicated on the 4th floor and making the night hideous by their yells and screams. Two of the prof. were promptly summoned as the culprits defied Mrs. Clements and a few days after all the offending girls were requested to leave the Hall and were permanently suspended. Later Mrs. Clements received her notice that her place was declared vacant and she left the next morning on an early train saying Good-bye to no one. And now Dr. Jordan with his usual aptness has chosen Mrs. Baker, chaparone of the Zeta Psi frat. to mother the girls and if she will only consent to it - will simply revolutionize Roble and give it an atmosphere of culture that it has never enjoyed even under Miss Thompson. You see Dr. Jordan was absent at the time and those were days of suspense but he is so prompt and decisive in everything he does. One feels so protected just to see him swing along to and from the quadrangle. I came back from San Jose Thursday morning on the 8 train having made calls on the Allens, M-----, L------, and Dr. Wakefield since he did so much for me about securing my school for me. I previously had planned to go to S.F. with Rose as Mrs. Mynick wrote such a cordial note of welcome to us to make that our home during the holidays - but I decided to economize here and give Rose the money to get her a new suit, stockings and petticoat she needed. I expect her back tomorrow, for the boys give the girls an informal party at Palo Alto in the evening and I know Rose will not want to miss it. I, I am perfectly delighted at the prospect of a liberty scarf for me. I admired Rose's so much as I always did think them the prettiest things but did not in the least covet one for myself until now I am to have one it makes me want one very much. Thank you so much - I will write as soon as they come. Your letter came just in time before Rose started so she will get your gloves probably tomorrow, if not yesterday. I am so glad you have one of the unique calendars. Gertrude gave me one and I expect to learn a great deal from it. She also gave me three dollars for a new purse. I am curious to know your opinion of Prof. Brown's book - The Tales of Languedoc. I liked his little introductory remarks and tho't perhaps they might interest you. Saw Miss Scott in San Jose. Gertrude and I called on her one rainy evening. Everyone inquired about you and sent love. Miss Scott is going to visit St. Mary Mathew's School for she wants points on the machinary of boarding school life.

This morning I walked to Palo Alto and back through the Stanford grounds - it was beautiful.

[written] 3

[typed] Saturday Jan 9-'97

My dearest Nannie -

My dearest Nannie - I forgot I called you that once and absent mindedly have written it over again but I mean it a whole page full. Your letter came just about an hour ago and I have been grinning over it since and reading parts of it about the pictures to the girls. Helen Younger has been moving down from the 4th to the 2nd floor so we are near neighbors. She has been fixing up her room and I have been helping her. Her room-mate - Mary Caldwell a freshman & relative of Marguerite Sabler - has almost as many pretty things as Helen has, & their room has assumed already a very Bohemian & artistic air, it has been great fun, & we have fixed pretty studies by burning the edges into rich brown odd shapes - a trick I picked up from one of the boys at the Rho Eta House. This is such a glorious day. We certainly are having a heavenly winter! Last Monday I started out to make calls in Palo Alto in my new suit that I like immensely. I found Mr. Teggart was sick in bed, I suspect she is on the verge of enlarging her family. Mrs. Angel, Dr. Angel told me was in Boston and as he said had gone shortly after the ("Opera" or card party they gave. Mrs. Gilman - Mrs. Cullen's sister - was not at home neither was Miss Darrah the excellent Education teacher. In the evening Alice Colt and I called on Dr. & Mrs. Stillman & of all my list they were the only ones home. Tuesday we registered & made out our programs for this next semester and Wednesday lectures began again. We are beginning Hamlet. It is so far now most difficult & thorough Shakespere study. I am not going on with Hudson's class as it makes too many hours and though it is deserted devoted to Tennyson I think I can make a study of it myself some time. Otherwise my course is almost the same except that I take Renaissance Art History under Prof. Krieber instead of 18th cent. Hist. We begin with Giotto. The girls feel very sad at the thought of leaving this semester and I am happy in the thought that It is not my last quite yet. Mrs. Baker our new matron is lovely she knows so many people we know - the Cullens & the Lathrops & knew of Mama thru some of the faculty ladies here. Did I tell you of the lovely call I had on Mrs. Jordan. She inquired about you, & wished to be most warmly . Did I tell you about Mr. Delamater's death just before Christmas. It was the end of quite a long illness & feebleness. What do you think Theodora is doing! She wants & must have the 400 paid Louise as soon as possible and in order to do so we couldn't draw on our allowance. So Theodora is sending me 30.00 out of the 40.00 she earns each month, of course when I earn or get the money I shall repay her, but think of my sister sending me thro' college! My last letter from her said she was having a happy time with her little "tads" coming back. She is really fond of her work and got some useful hints from Miss Darrah & the teacher's institute. Oh the Sohrab & Rustum paper is not worth sending. It was written at the end of the term in a great rush & my main ideas was to get off my hands. Helen took more pains with hers, and if I can persuade her to let me send it I shall. Am going to call on Mrs. Fairclough this afternoon.

Bye-bye Your loving Toodles.

[written] 4

[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

[written] 6

[typed] Sunday Morning - Jan. 23 - '97

My dearest Nannie -

There is just a few minutes before the Episcopal Sunday morning bus come and I will have time to begin my letter to my Nannie. After church I am to dine with Mrs. Gilman, Mrs. Cullin's sister in Palo Alto, and afterward Helen and I are going to call at the Anderson's in Menlo Park and then at Mrs. Stanfords. Mrs. Anderson has her paralyzed bedridden mother with her, also Prof. Anderson's mother and uncle. Prof. A. says she gets lonely with so many old people and far away in Menlo.

Oh' the Jordan birthday party was perfectly lovely. Dr. Jordan's 46th birthday. He did look so grand and handsome and for the first time actually appeared in a dress suit. He was a great big courtly gallant. Mrs. Jordan was very sweet and pretty in a becoming dark Washington gown with a good deal of crimson about it. Mrs. Stanford was there, Prof. & Mrs. Anderson, Dr. & Mrs. Brauner, Prof. & Mrs. Hudson, Prof, & Mrs. Murray, Prof & Mrs Smith, Prof. & Mrs. Lenox -the four bachelor profs--Mr. Allardice, Kellog, Campbell & Young. Mrs. Baker and few of the girls & boys - with some of the musical people to play, the Dully family particularly who have wonderful talent - two brothers play on the violin, accompanied by their sister. I felt wonderfully honored to have Dr. Stillman come up to me when I was talking with Prof. Allardice and one or two others and tell me Mrs. Stanford wished to speak with me. She was very lovely & gracious and was very appreciative of the call we made. In the middle of the evening Dr. Jordan ushered Mrs. Stanford into the dining room where there were three immense birthday cakes with forty-six candles ablaze around them. Edith managed the whole affair, and asked me to cut the icecream. Prof. Allardice escorted me home and ended an evening I shall never forget. One of the girls in the Hall had very seriously hurt her eye so I spent the rest of the night till almost three o'clock taking care of her, as her roommate was tired. The next night b was a screeching Pasmore invitation concert, and the evening after Mrs. Baker had the Zete boys & Prof. & Mrs. Hudson to dinner. In the evening we danced and made candy in Helen's chafing dish. Saturday morning there was a meeting of the executive committee of St. Agnes guild at Mrs. Faircloughs, and it was decided to have an informal meeting and tea for all the members there next Saturday. I have forgotten to say that the bus came for me yesterday when I was writing and that now it is Monday immediately after luncheon. After church Mrs. Gilman took me home and such a good dinner as we had! Just a roast beef dinner with best plum pudding I ever at. afterwards wine jelly, fruit, nuts etc - with claret that this Roble chicken greatly enjoyed. Mrs. Gilman has two splendid sons in their teens and soon to enter college - one is 6 4in. tall the other 6. 2+. The girl Mary is a healthy fourteen year old little beef eater. Mrs. Gilman's mother was also there. All are fine looking English people & Mrs. Gilman is lovely. Afterwards I met Helen in Palo Alto & we took a bus to Prof. Andersons. He has a lovely home just entering Menlo Park - a very large green house in the midst of a great field of oak trees and the most beautiful view of both ranges of hills. Mrs. Anderson could not leave her mother so we did not see her. But Prof. Anderson was so lovely. His mother helped him entertain us. She is a very old lady with a wonderfully sweet face & cultured voice and