Stanford Student Letters and Memoirs

[written] Nov 27 '97 39

[typed] dinner and lasting till late in the morning. Mr Allardice came out to breakfast and went to Dr. McKenzies church with us where I saw a man pull off his coat with his overcoat and left in his shirt sleeves - I simply died laughing in spite of the fact that I was with the head of the mathematics department.

After church we went out to the Presidio and roamed over the golf links where several men were playing. The view was exquisite and the air wonderfully pure and fresh, so invigorating in fact that it inspired Mr. Allardice and me with a desire to run down hill hand in hand leaving Mrs. Myrick at the top in amazment at the faculty and student good times. We got to 2345 Broadway in time for me to have a most lovely glimpse of dear Taymonville family whom I love every inch of - there we had tea and caught the 5:30 train home where Mr. and Mrs. Pierce were keeping seats for us. We made the way home shorter by "nod and beck and wreathed smiles" and games innumerablel and I reached Roble in time to find the dining room doors closed, but as I have found the good side of the cook, he treated me to hot biscuits and honey with apples and cake - quite the best lunch I ever had in Roble. Since the Kittie Haskell has made rarebit and the lights have gone out so I must hunt up my bed clothes which some of the girls have taken to the 4th floor during the vacation and make up my bed.

This Thanksgiving has been such a treat and no other one could have been half such a success because the people were just right this year to make everything so lovely. I have had such fun going over to the Pierces with Edith and Mr. Snow.Mr. Allardice and some of the Bachelor profs are nearly always over there and we have regular larks playing pillow -dex and charades or whist which scares me to death. Edith is so bright and charming that we shall miss her very much and you have no idea how jolly the awesome facultate are; quite capable of playing leap frog or indulging in soafa cushions fights or even Highland flings. I find a letter directed to Theodora in my care which I forward to her at once. She is such a dear noble girl that I respect as much as I love her and I can't say more.

Mr. Allardice took Helen Younger and me to see the new Stevenson monument in the old plaza and read to us in his broad scotch the inscription that has in it " be able to renounce without bitterness, to have a few friends without capitulations" and these two lines have gone into the happy holiday season as a kind of refrain to be always mingled with it in my memory of one of my happiest experiences, and for it all I have to thank my dear dear Nannie whome mama loves so too for giving her little girl such a good time. Please let it be my birthday treat too for it has been so full that it will do for a great many birthdays and last me a long long time. My candle is getting low so I must say Good night with a whole heartfull of thanks and love

Your Rose

Edith gave me the new girl calendar to remind me of her everyday.

[written] 42

[typed] December 26, 1897

My dearest Nannie -

This paper isn't telling the truth for I am writing at Mrs. Myricks 2345 Broadway on the day after Christmas but this is all the paper I have with me and it is my last piece. I am so sorry that I didn't get a line to reach you on Xmas day as you did me, but Nannie - I never in all my life went thru such a cyclone of daily examinations and papers in my life - some of them lasting two and three or three and half hours. But they are all over now and I think all passed, with the best one and the best mark in a general review of English literature under Dr.Flugel and Prof. Anderson. The first time that such an examination has been given in the Eng. department, so I shall feel especially stuck up over my degree. They are not granted however till January 14th. There were several final festivities - an evening spent at the Bachelors playing all sorts of gambling games with Mr. Allardice, Mr. Nash, Mr. Snow, Mr. Young, Dr. Angel, Dr. Campbell, Mr. Peirce, and Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Hopkins beside Florence Park, Kittie Haskell, Marylyn Main, Marie Markham and Mrs. Peirce. Then, there was a reception at the Theta House where the same little coterie met, an at Home and Mrs. Jordans, a dinner at the Zete house given by Mrs. Peirce with the Bachelors- by Mrs. Baker and best of all Christmas evening spent at Mrs. Peirce's with the Bachelors Mrs. Peirce read from the Birds Chritsmas Carol about the Ruggles family Xmas dinner, Mr. Campbell sang, we played twenty-one, prepartory to having an auction of 10cent Xmas gifts. It was great fun and we had mince pie refreshments - Kittie serving them and I made tea with the help of Mr. Allardice and Mr. Pierce. The next morning (Christmas) Theodora and I accepted Mrs. Myricks' invitation to come up here and we are having such a good time.

The Christmas dinner was so good and this morning Theodora and I went to St. Lukes to hear a sermon by Bishop Michols and a confirmation service. Kittie, Jessie and Fred Haskell are coming up to-morrow for a week and maybe Helen Younger will come too, so we are looking forward to a great lark and good time. I am going back to the university with Kittie Haskell to pack and make calls. I have joined the Teacher's agency and am overwhelmed with lovely recommendations. I applied for the English position in the Santa Cruz High School but that is not till next September. It is a difficult thing to get a position now and if I don't succeed I am going to go down to the University Tuesdays and Thursdays for Bibliography work - an Eng. History course and a general Eng. lit course. I love it up here at Mrs. Myrick's and am getting very fond of their little brown house round the corner.

Money matters are in a particularly encouraging state and oh I am so much obliged (Which doesn't half express it) for sending the letter to Mr. Gosbey about you paying Gertrude my debt. The family allowance is to be continued so I get twenty every month. I wonder if I told you about Mr. Peets death two weeks ago today. After the service in the evening an and an afternoon spent with St. Andrews brotherhood he simply fell lifeless in the lobby of the Palo Alto hotel. The day before Kittie had been with him to have such fine photos taken. She gave me one of the large ones for Christmas and I am so delighted. He was buried in the chancel of the church Bishop Nichols,Dr. Wakefield,Mr. Gassman Dr. Breuer officiating Judge Myrick sends love, and I am hurrying to finish before dinner.

Wishing you a happy New Year

Your Rose.