Stanford Student Letters and Memoirs

[written] p. 24 19

[typed] Stanford University, Cal. Sept. 4, 1896

My dearest Nannie -

How I wish you could see my pretty new room - every one exclaims "What a typical college room" who enters; you know I am rooming on the second floor with Miriam Maclaren; it is a corner room and very large sunny and airy. Every morning I wake up ecstaticly happy in my sweet cosy little bed; and every night I think I am about the most fortunate little girl in the world. My course is going to be the most delightful one I ever had in the university as for once in my life my hours do not conflict. Tuesday and Thursdays at half past eight I have German - (Faust), on the same days at half past nine I have a course in history which is European history from the Peace of Westphalia to the beginning of the French Revolution, I have this under Prof. Spencer whom Theodora liked very much last year. At half past ten I have a course in practical politics under Dr. Powers - it is a course consisting of the platforms of the present campaign considered from a historical stand point and their present issues. Wednesdays Thursdays and Fridays at half past nine I have Shakespere under Prof. Anderson (bless him!) nineteenth century poets Keats, Rossetti, Mathew Arnold & Tennyson under Mr. Hudson, and at half past eleven, Wordsworth, Byron, Shelly and Browning under Anderson. Friday afternoon I have Chaucer. This makes a program of sixteen hours a week for one semester - not heavy work. Please don't worry about me, if you knew how exuberant, jolly and happy I am every second of the day you couldn't worry if you tried. It seems so good to see everyone & this is such a dear old place anyway that one couldn't but be happy at "Mr. Jordan's school". Our new matron is quite a different type from Miss Thompson, she is an old Californian and a friend of Mrs. Stanfords, we miss Miss Thompson ever so much but we might have some one worse that Mrs.M. Redding-Clements. This morning Dr. Peet called. He is such a dear little old man, I shall be so glad to go back to his little church when I feel so much at home. The professors are all perfectly lovely - so cordial and helpful.

[Drawing of a room with parts written in: window, books, window, te atable, Books, screen, door, study table, salon, screen, dress box, window, wardrobe, bed, bed]

A very rough diagram of the room but is very artistic and Bohemian with the rugs Mr. Herme has given me to take care of for him and a beautiful palm on the reading stand. I have the etching that was over the library mirror at home,Hermes[written], and a water color of Lolies on my wall & they show off so well against the (diagram of room) blue plaster. The books and screens and tea table make it look very cosy, and I brought down some jelly to taste good. But it is nearly lunch time and I must say bye-bye.

Your loving, Toodles.

Laura is as pretty as ever - I wear shirt waists my duck or rough skirts & broad brimmed sailor hat - also my heavy tan shoes - round toed. Am going to have my pink underslip made up soon to wear under my white batiste or by itself - maybe next month or as soon as I get money enough - shall save the organdy for some swell occassion.

R.

[written] p. 32 27

[typed] Sunday Morning Nov. 22, '96

My precious Nannie--

It is too rainy to go over to Palo Alto this morning and I am heart broken to think I can't go to chapel, but yesterday was one of those obstinate days when one can't study even though there is nothing else in the world to do. So today I have to make up for it. Yesterday I read two of Crawford's short stories - one "The Upper Berth", the other "By the Waters of Paradise". The first a very ghostly, oozy,ghost story, the other a very charming, pretty ghost story. Beside that I read one ofBret Hart's vulgarly realistic California stories, and I think he is horrid. Today Mr. Bete has all the campus Episcopal girls meet at Prof. Fairclough to "get acquainted" and to arrange about having _____ regularly to the church Sunday mornings - a good idea. Prof. Hudson read "The Blessed Damozel" beautifully in class the other day, I am enjoying Rossetti very much and am so glad I have the course. We take up Byron soon with Anderson, just as soon as we finish Wordsworth.

I envy your hearing Ian Maclasen - Bonny Bru's Buch will always be associated in my mind with the summer in the mountains when I was late for dinner because I would finish Dr. Mclure. I don't see why you were so anxious to put down that carpet I am sure I should be tickled to death to have some one else do it. The slippers are blessings, and just the right size. You remember those Mama made me were very much too large, but these are too cosy and warm for anything.

There was a great football rally the other evening in the chapel. Of course it was exceedingly crowded and the boys as usual crawled in the windows & joshed everybody & everything. Several of the professors spoke & the coach - Mr. Cross, and the big men on the team, ex graduate & anyone the men could conjure up. Mrs. Stanford was there & sat right in front of us, she was very sweet and amiable & enjoyed the college spirit & fun, wondering what it all meant. Our team is not nearly so strong this year & the Berkely team is especially good so there has been considerable gloom, but you would never have guessed it at that wildly hilarious & confident rally. Here I intended writing only aline but can't seem to do it. I had a letter from Gertrude who is well & very sweetly asked me to spend Thanksgiving with her, but deliver me from San Jose in a boarding house on such an occasion. A number of us will stay here & muster such good things to eat as we can and try not to wish ourselves at the game.

The winter rains have begun, but we suffer so little from mud here on account of the asphaltum everywhere that I don't mind wet weather.

Tuesday we have an examination in History 23 - 18th century in Europe and I simply must study for it now even if this page isnt quite full - I can't think of another blessed thing to write.

Bye-bye5- 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