Stanford Student Letters and Memoirs

[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

[written] Theodora p. 7 a III [typed] 2.

Sunday eve. [written] (Sep. 29?)

[typed] Dear Nannie,

Ir just seems as if you were a dreadfully long way off- one letter a week and not a glimpse of you seems very Easternfied. I do hope you will go and see Mr. Goshey before you come down here so you can somewhat understand matters for I must confess thay worry me much.

O! Prof. Griggs gave us such an inspiring sermon-lecture this morning in the chapel on "Faith"- ending his beautiful discourse with that poem of Tennyson's that Mama loved so well-

"Twilight and evening star And one clear call for me And may there be no moaning of the bar When I put out to sea."

It seemed like a breath from heaven to hear his sympathetic feeling voice uttering those words that have become almost hallowed in my thoughts.

Rose did not hear him, as she with Alice Hays walked over to Palo Alto to hear Mr. Peete.

Mrs. Myrick patronized us last week much to our disgust.

I am going to drive with Bessie Braley tomorrow afternoon. She is such a charming girl. We called on Mrs. Anderson last evening. She hopes to see you when you come down, and I hope to know her batter.

Am writing by candle light as the electric lights are out. Won't you run down on our ticket for a day soon?

Love from your girls. Theodora.

[written] 4(Rose) 8

[typed] Sunday evening, Oct. 6, 1895

My dear Nannie,

I have just two sheets of paper left so will take an exercise in condensing. One of your postals, the North Platte one, did not reach us till to-night as it was taken from the box by one of the girls who misplaced it. Another that your letter refered to has not come to us yet. How crowded with human experience your trip was. I am so glad you arrived safe and sound and found poor Aunt Tad with something to keep her mind occupied. Theodora and I have had a happy week. N Nothing out of the ordinary nature till Friday evening when four girls- Edith Straight, Kitty Haskell, Marylyn Maine and I, and Herbert Straight, a Mr. Bell, and Young and McNeil and Strohnere went bicycle riding by a harvest moon. It was the most beautiful thing I ever did. It was as bright as day and we rode clear to Redwood City and back- fifteen miles! Before we got home I could mount and dismount with ease to say nothing of colliding with equal felicity with my partner Mr. McNiel. We had an awfully jolly time. Saturday Laura and Grace Clark came down in the evening to study but we went to the Sophomore and Freshman football game and had another good time. In the afternoon Bessie Blossom, Kenneth Macintosh and I went over to the musuem , but Mr. Nights had gone to New York to study law so it wasn't any fun to look at the museum and jugs. In the evening quite against my will, I went to the Fresh.-Sophomote reception and had only a "fair to middlin"time. It was some fun to awe the little Freshmen but that was all. Their badges were a minature bag of salt. The soph. were a little red mortar board. I, as an Xmas junior needed no badge! This morning Edith Straight, Kit Haskell and Alice Hayes and I went to Palo Alto to church and stayed to communion. Miss...(Second page missing).

...the photographer wo whom he sent our plates and he said.

[written] Theodora p. 9 a VIII

[typed] Stanford University, Cal. Oct.13 1895

My dear Anni-

Rah, rah, rah, rah, rah, rah, rah, rah,--Stanford !! !! The second decision is rendered in favor of Mrs. Stanford and the University.-- Dr. Jordan was in San Francisco yesterday, and on reaching Palo Alto the boys had gotten a hack, decorated it with chinese lanterns and attaching a long rope to it, drew him and Mrs. Jordan to Roble--(as many as could get hold of the rope-) when he made a very enthusiastic speech, closing with the words - "The doors of Stanford University will never close "!

Rose and I missed it all except the bon-fire, for we missed the 5:30 train and had to come on the 6:40. I had gone up to talk with Fred a little. Rose to get her waist - which is very pretty - but won't be done until Thursday - Then having the rest of the afternoon, our idle brains cast about to see what we could do. "Tribly " is having a popular run now and many of the Profs. went up to see it - Doctor Jordan and wife included - so we decided if we could get cheap seats we would go. The seats were a 1.00 and a dollar and a half but we managed to get good seats in the gallery for 35¢ and there were all respectable people around us. It was in the 2nd gallery and we didn't know what ( at first) we were getting into ! but what was our astonishment to see a number of out Stanford friends among our neighbors ! It is a very strong play - and nothing improper in the presentation. Rose enjoyed every minute of it but we had to come away before the last act in order to catch our train and then missed it. Wasn't that prevoking?

Laura Clark sent me last night another picture of herself. She is devoted to her camera and takes very good pictures.

I am afraid you will be discouraged about our pictures - but expect to see Mr. Heath in the evening.

[written] 12

[typed] train so took the 6:30. Alice Cowen and Guy Cochran were on it and we had a jolly time coming home. At Palo Alto we found not a carraige as everything was at the university. There had been a great celebration on account of the decision for the suit - processions, honor brigades. Dr. and Mrs Jordan had been met at the 5:30 train by the student body and pulled up to the university - the girls carrying chinese lanterns, and the boys blowing horns and shouting. There was speech-making and bonfires and Dr. Jordan ended with saying that the "doors of Stanford University would never close"----- Ra ra ra Stanford. Today everyone was resting - last night the boys at 12 o'clock painted the station red. A new station is being built on the university side of the tracks, it is not of stone but frame and on the left hand side going to Palo Alto from the university. Mrs. Hazelton was here Tuesday and was very anxious about you as she had not heard since you had reached ... - I gave her your postals and the paper telling of Uncle Lemson's death. Oh, Theodora and I are so obliged for the White syllabi - they are especially helpful to Ora in her thesis. Tomorrow I shall see Prof. Heart againe about the photos. I saw Miss McKinnon in San Jose and she sent you her love and said whe had heard from you. Gertrude wishes to hear from you too. She prizes her dear little tray you gave her so much. She is very well and so is every body. Give warmest love to Aunt Tad and keep a big hug for yourself. I don't have time to discuss lectures with you much.

Your ....

Your letter was so good. Isn't Aunt Tad An Heiress.'