Stanford Student Letters and Memoirs

[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] 5 (ROSE) 10

[typed] Sunday evening, October 13, 1895

My dearest Nannie-

Theodora tells me she has written her second letter to you this week and reminds me I am lacking in my record. So doubt she has told you all important events of the week so I shall act as Bulletin Supplement. We are all excited over examination I in French Revolution next Tuesday and my mind is densely befogged in Feudal Rights and Incidents not to mention direct and indirect taxation. Last Monday was rather a gay day for me. Alex Cotton and Howard Trinecto two of Grace Clark's friends were down from the city visiting "Baby (?)" Cotton, and they succeeded in taking up the 2nd and 3rd hours Monday morning by"treating" at Rices - the ice-cream center, and in squandering time generally. I had gone to French the 3rd hour, when there was a knock and Prof. Davidson said some one wished Miss Payne whereupon I walked out to find Grace, Laura, and the three boys, plotting an impromptu watermelon feast to which I immediately went regardless of French. We are reading, by-the-way, "La Mare au Diable" by George Sand a very pretty little story. Monday aftermoon Alice Cowen asked me to go riding in her pretty dogcart, and of course I went as I missed two rides with her before. We had a lovely ride to Menlo Park and around the university. Tuesday, I think it was, that Theodora, Laura, Miriam and I went to an interclass football game. Don't be too shocked to hear that we are all enthusiastic, for the first time in my life I found myself madly applauding. The joke of it is I don't more than half understand the game, and always cheer for any but my own class. I don't remember much about Wednesday so guess I studied. Thursday, squandered most of my morning with Tom, who had just heard from his father. He felt very flush so we went down to "Rices". I

[written] 3

[typed] Sunday--Feb.

My dear Nannie--

I seem to have hunted in vain for larger letter paper, and only hope this won't get lost in the mail. A whole week I have been lounging luxuriously in that daintiest of pink wrappers whenever occasion and time offered, and think you are the lovingest--most thoughtful person to give first just[written] what I had said only a week before that I wanted so much.

It came while Rose was sick and I could not believe it was really for me. Thank you so much my sweet dear Nannie--it seems so far away to express what I want to; in fact Edison himself can't hug by electricity.

Rose has been in San Jose just[written] a week yesterday. I thot she would be back today, but undoubtedly Laura has persuaded her to stay and come down tomorrow. She has been taking some Turkish baths which Dr. K. thot would be good for her, and she says she is very fair now. She was so yellow, just like parchment--even the whites of her eyes were saffron, but I am so glad she has been wise enough to recuperate thoroughly. Thursday at Fr. Rev. saw Paul Mabury. He comes down twice a week to lecture, and in the course of the conversation, he urged me to come down and see the girls, but I told him that Bella hadn't accepted my invitations to visit in and that I wanted to see her so much. He forthwith told Bella who wrote me a note that night saying she would be down Saturday unless she heard from me to the contrary. I was delighted and we had such a nice little visit but all too short, since she had to go back on the noon train today as there was no train between that and one that would arrive in S.J. after dark. She is enjoying her business college work so much. The reason that I have not said much about my drawing is that I have all but "flunked" in it! Prof. Clark is absolutely the rudest and most disaagreeable man it has ever been my misfortune to be under. And as a consequence after drawing under him for an afternoon I have once or twice been so sused up with rage and pity by turns that I have gone to bed to recuperate. Very seriously, I thought of dropping it this semester but I was bound I would make the man be civil at least--tho I know we will never agree. My history & Fr. I enjoy much. Mrs. Schneider invited Rose & me down there to stay all night Tuesday night and be there for a dancing party. I should liked to have gone but did not feel that I could afford it as I have been guilty of a most rash and extravagant act. I went to hear Paderwerski! I had to go to the city to have my dress fixed that I had made at Christmas time and so got a two dollar seat with Helen Younger who went also. I wanted Rose to hear him as she would have done if she had accepted Helen Lathrop's invitation to San Quentin for Friday last but Dr. K. preferred her to stay in S.J. which I think was better for her even tho she missed the rare treat. He certainly combines the greatest strength & power with the most exquisite delicacy and refinement. He perhaps will come down here to the University.

You don't know how sorry & surprised I was to hear of the Fort Stoniax bank failure. I know you had considered that such good stock. Did Aunt Clara have anything in that too? Mr. Mabury sent word by Bella that the Woolen Mill was going to do well now in his opinion. I will write to Mr. Crosby & see what he can do about selling your shares. I suppose it is on the books--the number that you have. We have been having a perfect winter--such perfect days as balmy as June. This is an ideal place with much to enjoy. I have a new course with Mrs. Barnes--19th century history which I like so much I. I think she

[written] Rose March 15 '96 p. 5

[typed] My dearest Nannie--

I simply can't remember the last time I wrote, Theodora reminds me that I must begin away back before the suit. She is just getting into her little pink wrapper & says "tell Nannie how much I love it", it is just right in dimensions & so becoming. Of course the day of the suit was the greatest day in the year & perhaps in the history of the University. I can't begin to describe it but will send you a copy of the red letter Sequoia that tells the story better than I could. I haven't done much toward making up back work, as it is rather a gradual process, & study has been very interrupted by holidays & committees etc. We had two days vacation at the news of the decision of the suit, and since then Founders Day. As for committees--Mr. Heme being '97 class president has put me on the Junior Farce committee which meant five farces to read & pass judgment upon, also upon the decoration committee for the Junior Promenade & cordially invited my attendance at his reception committee meetings, but the last honor I declined. The students are also getting up a comic opera--"Said Pasha" in which Laura Marm takes the leading part as queen, which she fills admirably with her sweet voice & pretty face. I lead the chorus and am shocked to find that it is to be given on the 3rd & 4th of April which is Good Friday. I don't know what I can do as it is billed for that night & I don't know whether I can withdraw from my part. I haven't observed lent in any but a very accidental way. It is out of the question to deny oneself anything in the food line as it is all we can do to live on what you do get, let alone going without anything, and as far as dances are concerned, my conscience doesn't hurt me a bit in having a good time when it comes to me if I can afford it. While I had my little sick spell, Grace Clack, Laura, Gertrude Macintosh, Charlotte Phillips & Miriam Maclaren got up a beautiful little party, rather Mrs. Macintosh gave it & we girls received. She had a professional decorator and waiters and threw open her house, & I never had such a good good time in my life, nor saw a party go off so well. The next thing was the Sophomore Cotillion--Grace Clark & Stuart Cotton lead. I was so unfortunate as to have two invitations that I didn't want to accept before the one that I did want to accept. So I had to stay home on that account. But the Junior is to be very fine. I was disappointed a little over the Sophomore but not much. We have had a most lively winter--at one time very, very cold with snow way down in the foothills & the rest of the time like spring weather, the poppies are out in abundance and a sprinkling of buttercups and johny-jump-ups. For the most part it has been so warm that heavy clothing is uncomfortable. Theodora & I both heard Paderweski. She heard him in San Francisco when I was ill & I in San Jose when he gave a concert under the auspices of the student body and the tickets were only two dollars. I am ever so much better than I have been all term, the rest doing me so much good: am quite regular in every respect & eat much religiously every morning, the board isn't so very bad. I saw Mrs. Dunn yesterday & she inquired about you. Mrs. Teggart had a little girl arrive in her family last February. She asked Anna Kohler & me to take tea with her soon and I am anxious to. Friday, Theodora & I were surprised to find Mrs. Howard & Miss Howard to see us last Friday. They are people we met at Mrs. Mynicks and that we didn't like much. Miss Howard is thinking of taking a course here till the end of the year. Next week is the last before the spring vacation which begins Mar.21 & lasts a week. We have made no plans yet I think I shall stay here & work on my Milton thesis. I have the last fourteen years of his life to work on. I inquired of the Beedy's about Cousin John & they said he [written:]was at a comfortable institution [typed:]at Westminister.

[written] p. 7 3

[typed] March 24 '96 Roble Hall

My dearest Nannie--

Your letter came to-night and I simply can't go to bed before I write you even though it be on theme paper. You poor dear Nannie, I am so sorry we have been so bad about writing, there is no excuse for such naughtiness, and I am resolved never to do so again. We are having our weeks vacation now. Theodora has gone to San Jose for a day or two to see about affairs there, and I had decided to stay here, as I had my vacation a while ago, and have not been doing my heavy work all term. I shall probably go down to Mrs.Myncks for a change before the week is up. I find this a gay place in vacation time. There have been two dances already, and tennis to-morrow. The first--the dear divinity has very successfully figured at, and me for itself many compliments, thanks to its sweetmaker. Gradually I am making up what I missed when absent, had a very easy examination in W.Rev. under Dr. Howard last Friday in which I aspire to my sisters standard of 95o/o , Am now, working on a thesis for Prof. Anderson, on the last fourteen years of Milton's life in connection with the Restoration. This place is perfectly beautiful now, the fields are a cloak of gold, and the foliage of the vales so dainty and new, with the balmiest of weather to throw a haze over everything-- ! My Lenten dilema is over, as Said Pasha is postponed till after Easter, a week after the opera comes Junior day, which is going to be the finest day on record, farce in the morning in which Laura, Charlotte Phillips and I figure in one scene only, not being principal performers; In the evening is the Junior promenade which your niece is to lead with Mr. Herme--think of it, and in my same little organdy that Theodora brought from the Islands. There is to be a very fine edition of the Sequoia--the Stanford weekly, for which I have been asked to contribute a best effort, and for the illustrations for its center picture I am to pose. I am surprised at this req uest as I have never written anything that anybody ever heard of. As for the pose the face is not knowable when published, so I don't mind. My shirt waists have quite unexpectedly failed me, and I find I have but three to finish the term with, the winter has been so warm, that I have worn shirt waists entirely. Theordora has given me her three lovely pieces--two pink ones & one blue one and is going to see what Mrs.Brown a very good seamstress will make them for, as I simply must have them, and it is impossible to do any such thing oneself here. We are looking forward to keeping house this vacation, and then the sewing I am going to do! Without buying a single new thing but using the materials we have. Last week we mailed a transferancy, hoping it will be a reminder of the dear old quadrangle, and I do hope it will reach you safely and in time; we have not been able to get a frame for it in San Francisco, someone[written] suggested a ribbon frame as a substitute but did not know that you would like it. I think I could write to my Nannie, all night, but the lights are going out.

They are gone

Bye bye till morning--

Toodles