Stanford Student Letters and Memoirs

[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] 14

[typed] Sunday afternoon March 7-'97

My dearest Nannie -

I am pretty sleepy, but will try and make myself coherent long enough for my Sunday letter to my precious Nannie. Last Wednesday, Helen Lathrop and Edith Cullen took dinner with me and stayed all nkght - we heard the Glee club practice and Mrs. Baker took a number of us over to the Zeta Psi house for a romp: so they had a pleasant time I am quite sure. They made quite a stay at Mrs. Gilman's and enjoyed every minute of it and are in love with Stanford. Edith Cullen is to marry Nelson Phelps sometime before the year is over; she has been engaged to him for six years since she was sixteen. Friday all of Epsilon Chi went to San Jose where Laura Mann, Charlotte Philips, Florence Park and Mary Brunton were formally initiated. I stayed with Gertrude and the rest, nearly all, at the Maclarens where we had such a lovely evening.

Was interupted by Mr. Pitcher calling - we spent the afternoon walking about the aboretum. To continue with the San Jose story. The Maclarens did everything imaginable to make the evening delightful and the next day, I took my silk waist and linen skirt to be made at Miss Smeads together with a black taffeta waist for Theodora.

It simply poured all day so I spent the afternoon indoors with Gertrude and took the 5 train home. She was perfectly lovely - mended my petticote for me that isn't wearing at all well and was such a trump. She gave me one of her framed Rome photos. The last communion of St. Jerone. I have it already hung. This morning I went to church and heard such an excellent sermon from Bishop Nichols - it was confirmation service and a dozen or so were presented. Last Wednesday I cut Shelley and went to church which I very much enjoyed. Helen just brought me your letter which is always so much fun to get. I think Theodora is better and happier this term as she has taken more liberty and gotten away from her boys oftener.

Did I tell you I am reading Benveneuto Cellini's autobiography by J.A. Symonds. It is wonderfully interesting.

Bye bye Toodles.