Stanford Student Letters and Memoirs

[written] p. 34 29

[typed] Nov. 29 - '96

My dearest Nannie -

Such a jolly time as we had last night at the dance! Theodora came down and surprised me about noon as she had said she wasn't going to come; she went to San Jose in the meantime & made an appointment with Mrs. Mann & came back on the six o'clock train bringing Mrs. Mann with her. Laura stayed with me too so it was all very jolly. I don't know whether I told you I was the chairman of the decoration committee, but I enjoyed the distinction for the last time I served my term which is expected from every one. The decorations were lovely - paper ribbons (Cardinal) fastened up to the chandeliers in the dining room the bulbs covered with cardinal tissue paper to give a cardinal light, & the chandeliers trimmed with mistletoe that grows in such quantities all about here. Mrs. Stanford sent me a wagon load of potted plants that we arranged in the lobby with great (red) berries & hung Chinese lanterns across the rafters. Up-stairs where refreshments were served we had the usual profusion of couches, cushions & screens collected from the girls' rooms & all the dancing was in the dining room lobby & lower hall. Such an easy place for entertaining was never heard of - plenty of men, plenty of room & plenty of very accessible decoration! Theodora looked lovely in her white gown, Laura wore a new beautiful lavender crystal silk with chiffon bodice, & I my little dotted swiss that I made over this summer & that was done up very fresh. Mrs. Stanford didn't come, but sent a very sweet little note with her head gardner which was very, very nice of her. All the spirit & enjoyment of the places seemed so heavily clouded by the sorrow that came to the Maclaren family on Thanksgiving day. The youngest boy - Forrest who was the pride & hope of them all was taken ill Wednesday night with some kind of stomach trouble, but was not considered dangerously ill. Thanksgiving morning Dr. Maclaren preached but at two in the afternoon, the child died. Dr. Miller was the physician and I don't know whether anyone else was called in or not but the trouble is not known. Mrs. Maclaren will be so unutterably lonely for, he was the delicate one of the two boys & the baby whom she was always with. I don't know what Mirriam's plans are as to her return; it is her first sorrow-experience.

The little glimpse of Theodora was so jolly, she looked so well & pretty.

I have completely run out of material to write about except don't worry about me expecially about my over working - for that simply is not in me, it is all together too easy for me to get along with high marks & a pleasant mixture of everything that the college life offers without making a record but as long as I have my work I don't worry and you can't study all the time. I am glad you are having such a happy time in Rome I know you will enjoy it. We have such a good waiter at our table now he does everything for us & rushes , the board seems quite endurable. The weather is simply delicious so frosty cold & bright--good enough to eat & drink.

Bye-bye Toodles

Roble Hall

Belle McMurtry has just been in and told about the sudden death of Mrs. Carrol Gates in Los Angeles. She was expecting to be confined in about a month and while up in the night to tendher little girl who was restless she suddenly dropt dead in the hall. The body was brought ...

[written] Feb '97 12

[typed] We are having the most delicious kind of cold weather - snow way down in the foothills within an hours ride from the campus. The clouds are beautiful and the air so invigorating - it is impossible to get nearer Mt Hamilton than Smith's creek.

The Glee Club is giving to give a concert in San Jose next Friday night and there is to be quite a swell dance afterwards. I and Theodora had invitations from Bell Clark who is one of the patronesses as is also Mrs. W.K. Beans, Mrs. Frank Wright, Mrs. Maclaren, Mrs. Schneider Mrs. Liet, Park, Pann and Phillips.

I don't know whether I shall go or not. Stanford Glee Club is very popular in San Jose - much more so than Berkeley - that reminds me I believe you inquired about Howard Veeder. I have not heard of seen him for over a year. He was graduated last May and I believe is at Angel's camp in the Jupiter mine where Mr. Thompson and Augusta live.

Theodora and I had the wedding cards of Kate McGrew and She is to marry a Dr. Bryant Cooper very soon. Tom you know is in New York at the Columbia medical college

Goodnight- your very loving Toodles

There is a financial red tape about our fraternity - all expenses are to betmet by assessments as they are incurred.

[written] May 31 '97 31

[typed] abroad and at home or books. Mr. Teggart asked me to join the faculty book club just started - which I am delighted to do as it is a very good one besides being quite a compliment to be a member as none of the students are asked. I must finish this in the morning as I am going to get a clear water bath this evening and mustn't be late about it.

Tuesday morning

You don't know how unmanageable my pen is - now that I don't have to use it it insists upon all over the paper. The Taggarts inquired about you and said they often thought of you and your sweet ways. There were one of two other little bui dinners and things during commencement - one at the Hodges the architects family where Mr. March the new librarian is always to be found. The best of all was having the girls mothers come. Mrs. Morrison - Marylyns Main's mother - and Mrs and Miss Colt, beside the San Jose mothers - Mrs. Maclaren, Mrs. Park and Mrs. Phillips, It was so lovely to see some older people in the Hall - all there are so young. Laura, Miriam, Alice, Charlotte, and Helen took their degreesI will send the programme and then you must imagine how pretty the girls looked in these fresh organdies and grass linens. You don't know how much good I have gotten from my dear little organdie that is so Frenchy with the pretty hat - by the way the little pink and blue striped shirt waists are too dear for anything - they go so prettily with my blue suit[illegible] Theodora's silk, and the stockings, handkercheifs, and things came over a week ago and I am duly mortified to think their receipt is not acknowledged - how pretty the silk is! Just like a waist Miss Wickerham had on at the Jordan reception. You know how acceptable all the other things are, especially the stockings as I was just on the point of buying some. You must have heard me swearing at the dearth of pins clear across the continent but let me assure you my exclamations have vastly improved since I have all kinds in plenty.

Oh I forgot to tell you about the Jordan reception to the seniors - a number of upper classmen helped to serve - Marylyn, Kitty and I among the number and it was great fun - everyone was there from far and near. I had such a pleasant visit with the Breners who came down from San Mateo and Mrs. Stanford was very cordial - she has already rem always remembered the call we girls made and appreciated it so much. The music was beautiful - a S.F. Orchestra and Mrs. Jordan looked very pretty in a new black brown and red gown. Of course the faculty senior baseball game was great fun and the faculty were beaten by almost 20-10 - the seniors all came on the field in a chinese trot and dressed in chinese clothes with long ques hanging down their backs. The faculty has a beautiful new baseball ground but it doesn't seem to improve their playing.

Yesterday afternoon I spent in getting clean - Gertrude shampooed my hair and manicured my nails and in the evening I had such a good bath - Miriam came in a little while after dinner with a cardinal neck-tie and it seemed so good to see a Stanford person even if it is only three days since I left there. Today I go up to Mrs. Myricks and stop off at the university to get my things and do some errands. Carrie is going to leave the Hall this vacation and I have been writing a recommendation for her and have been helping her off a little.

I must also call on Mrs. Gilman and Mrs. Teggart before I go away. When I am in the city I am going to see the Fishes in Martinez and also Mrs. Frymribille who lives quite near Mrs. Myrick. I don't know just what I'll do the last two months of vacation but guess something will turn up.