Stanford Student Letters and Memoirs

[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] 11

[typed] took the noon train for San Jose, as I wanted to go to the bank for money for my silk waist and fare to the city. I took luncheon with Gertrude and then we both went out to Allis Ballan's - to see Allis who got back from her trip Monday, and to get some millenery out there for a winter everyday hat. Allis looks thin but appears better- more composed and rational and prettier in white mull than I have seen her for a long time. Mrs. B. was as sweet and dear as ever sending much love to you. I took the 6 P.M. train home and got here in time for a late dimmer. Friday I studied and had an examination with Miss Mosher the head of the gymnasium. It was the "ancestory" ex. and I passed all right. Not having to go back farther than Mama and Papa. Saturday was the jolliest day of all. Theodora and I took the 8:30 train for S.F. We went first and got my cape which is repaired beautifully for $2.50 and looks as good as new - no new fur but old repaired. Then I went to Miss O'Strander's. The waist was not done, but lovely even in embryo state. It is to be finished Wednesday. Theodora talked with Fred who gives us a feeling of security. He advises we consult either Judge Myrick/or Judge Rhodes and is going to consult with Mr. Gosbey himself and investigate accounts with Theodora Thursday. Then Theodora and I had chicken pattie at the Women's Exchange. Then we did an errand or two and by way of "spontaneous variation" bought gallery tickets for 35¢ for "Tribly". I never enjoyed anything more in my life. The play was strong and well acted. It was most as much fun as discovering the Maitland house to go up and up the gallery stairs not knowing whether we would get in a smoking, gum-chewing mob or not but we found ourselves in the midst of fashinoable respectability and had such a good time. We left just before the last act to see Louise, but we missed the 5:30

[written] Theo - p. 12 a X

[typed] Stanford University,Cal. Oct. 18, 1895

My dear Annie-

We were so glad to get your good letter last night. I had been down to San José on business. Fred met me at Mr. Goshey's office we simply verified Mr. Kittridge's statements. I had my head washed at Miss Foleys and it did seem a great luxury for the water is so bad here - one has to get good water by the pitcher full from the kitchen if you want it hot. Before I forget it - Rose and I have forgotten what we did with Mama's lornettes - but I have a dim idea that I asked you to take care of them. Am I wrong? For they are not in the dress box. Rose and I have been asked to join a fraternity the Bessie and Bertha Braly belong and are very anxious for us to. But I do not think favourably of it. In fact I shall not join and Rose won't if I don't. Rose says she is sure she should feel like a bull in a china-shop. And that very aptly expresses my idea of the thing.

Yesterday when I got back Rose had made her such a cute hat, out of that black felt flat that I got last Autumn. It is very dressy, however, and I am right glad that she has such a stylish suitable best hat.

Sunday.

Have just finished reading my Science lesson and feel very very happy. Put on my black silk crèpe for dinner - and it is such a pretty becoming gown since the sleeves are stiffened and the skirt gored. Rose let me wear the dainty little lace "points" on my collar and I felt very dressed. Night before last Rose and I went over to the Braly's on invitation - just to have a pleasant evening with the girls at the house. Prof.s Allendice and Kellogg spent the evening - They made welch rarebit - played cards etc. And when we thought it itme to come away Mrs. Braly wouldn't hear to it - and we stayed all night

[written] p. 18 13

[typed] Sunday - June 28 - '96

My dearest Nannie,

Your dear good letter came yesterday at noon, and Lolie and I laughed at the "p Letitia" gratifying your most most justifiable envy in such a unique and satisfying a way, and we both most heartily agree with you on the collar-button question - certainly no patent device for the promotion of patience (or the profanity) could be invented. I have all my collars and cuffs made seperate from my shirt waists as it greatly saves washing - I buy very high white linen collars at men's clothing stores and like them very much as now I can get the highest in my size 13 or 13 1/2; so I am quite sure the shirt waist that is too large for you can be made all right for me by putting on one of my collars. I thank you a thousand times over for the shirt waist pattern it fits me beautifully, and this week Theodora and Louise have made me two beauties out of the pink dotted and the striped stuff Theodora bought some time ago. The Kerr's thread has been an equal blessing - I should speak in the past, present and future tense, the past referring to this last week. Mrs. Brown, the dressmaker has been here one day - Thursday, she was ill the first part of the week and Friday & Saturday Miss McKinnon wanted her as she has decided to spend her summer east and is going to start to-morrow I believe, & needed Mrs. B. to get her ready. Mrs. B. got my blue flowered waist almost done and with Theodora's excellent help almost finished the rough & ready skirt I told you of. There proved to be enough material & I know I shall like it hugely as it will be light will not show spots & will be very stylish as such rough goods are going to be the proper winter suiting. She cut out the lining for my pink crêpe waist from which I have gotten a very good waist pattern. Am actually going to let her plan that waist as I haven't any very good ideas for it & she has. That is about all she is going to make for me. The petticoat question for winter wear has settled itself as I told you in my last letter, but I was disappointed to find, after I had put in such a pretty trimming to my black silk petticoat, that it didn't have much wear left in it, and what do you think I have done! With the first intention of making a silk waist I ripped up and pressed Mama's precious little steel blue dress but found that the waist she wore needs only[written] new sleeves and refitting to make the prettiest and dearest waist in the world, with some of the Persian silk that matched for stock collar when I wanted to wear it hight; so I decided to take the best that is in the very full skirt and make me a petticoat of it and use the rest in caps for new sleeves. Do you think that a sacreligious use to make of it; for it will just help out the petticoat problem & make me such a dear waist? I have worn the gloves you sent several times I find them just what I want; I took the 6 3/4 size and 'though they are loose now they will wash all the better. Now we will drop the clothes subject for while. Ohl yes - I am retrimming my navy[written] blue Coughlin hat with the asters Mama had on her little black lace bonnet & blue quills - very stylish & pretty and I am getting so advanced in the milliners art as to contemplate sewing it as I find the use of pins conducive to much loss of plumage - pin feathers not being so very secure (rather flighty in fact)! Have just tried on the paper collar & find that is just the right size - but are you sure you can spare it (Imean the shirt waist) for I shall have three without it. Your blue sample is lovely.

You make my fingers itch to try and write something and I am every so much obliged for your criticism, it is just what I want. But I think have immense conceit to ever think of writing anything and I fairly hate myself for such audacity. Haven't nearly finished the N___ yet as I simply don't find time: we go to bed very early & get up early - when

[written] p. 20 15

[typed] Sunday - June 28 - '96

called down to me to start the dinner so shall finish this later.

x x x

Sunday July 5th - '96

A trifle later isn't it my dear Nannie? - but actually this is the first time I have sat down since I got our steak dinner just a week ago to-day. I believe I had several topics to wind up with that I shall tell you before this weeks happenings are recorded. Fisrst: Maggie Scott is in New York on her return from Brazil and will be there about six weeks, I told Susie Cory to be sure & let her know your whereabouts. She doesn't know whether she will return to South America or not, and is spending so much time East seeing to educational matters. Second: Charles came in and ina day and a morning put the grounds into such beautiful order that we have been proud of them ever since, & he did do many little odd jobs too. Third: I made a tee-total failure of the Washburn school - my wits & memory & ideas flew every which way & I shook like an aspen leaf till I sat down, having muttered some incoherent sentences that had neither verb nor noun, Laura came next & did better & each improved in turn till Miriam Maclaren carried off the honors. Honestly I never knew what it was to be frightened before but I shall never forget now - Really I didn't like Chauncey Depew when I heard him but I think him & his vocations truly miraculous now that I have had a little experience. Now for this week's news - there is none - it has simple snapped & the week is gone leaving behind it the tracks of an excellent dressmaker & two suit apiece for Theodora & me at the rate of three seventy-five a suit.

x x x

Have just gotten Charles's luncheon - I don't intend to stir till I finish this patch work letter. The shirt waist patter you sent, Laura has used and also Mrs. Wright. Mr. Wright took such a fancy to my blue shirt waist that he carried it off down town to have it exactly copied for Mrs. W. Theodora has gotten expert at making button-holes, and nick by nick I am learning the art of dress making - mean now to make me a little matinee jacket out of my old red striped flannel skirt by the shirt-waist pattern & have a stock collar of red ribbon & full of lace at the neck - then one more shirt waist out of Theordora's old gingham dress, make over my dotted swiss dress, & finish my batiste, then to finish up with my underclothes & I shall be done - oh I forgot my green silk waist, night gowns for every day I shall be most in need of, as at present I have only one besides the little old duds of Mama's that we found in the attic. Friday evening Gilbert & Jessie Russell & Laura came down to get me to go to a little informal, impromptu, dance at the Vendome which was "kind of fun". Felt too tired & indifferent to go out to the Schneider's garden party, especially as we had no way of coming and going without considerable expense, stayed home & finished off my pink crepe waist ready to wear which was more satisfactory. It is like this: - It is a beauty as the crepe draped as only crepe will in the hands of an artist dress maker, I put Ora's pink velvet roses at the sides of the colar which adds the finishing touch.- my sketch isn't very good but it may give an idea. The green broadlcoth skirt made circular is the handsomest thing I ever had, and the blue skirt & silk waist I like

[Sketch to the side of the upper half of a dress, sleeves, and waist] (sketch)