Stanford Student Letters and Memoirs

[written] 1 (Rose) 1

[typed] Sunday- September the eighth 1895.

My dearest Nannie,

How I wish you could see us this morning in our cosy room. Everyone says "Oh, how homey" the minute they come into the door. But I am not going to describe it, so you will be surprised when you come down. The university has its same atmosphere of peaceful grandeur that it had in the summer even though there is a registration of eight hundred and six students. Last night there was a rush between the Freshman and the Sophs. The sophomores won. The Freshmen consist of the shortest youngest boys imaginable., and had but little chance against full fledged college men. By way of special disgrace the class of '99 was tied and marched in front of Roble and their faces lighted up by torches, it seemed pityful to see the poor little freshies so in the hands of the older men, but probably they thought it the grandest night of their lives.

Miss Thompson is lovely. The Hall is not very full and the girls are very nice. I had a letter from Helen Lathrop. She is not coming back. She feels that it is too expensive. Her father is better and she is with him at Crystal Springs.

Mr. Peete called yesterday in the Episcopal garb. He is delightful - such a courtly gentleman of the old school. He said Dr. Wakefield was expected home soon having been ill in Venice with the fever, and all his money stolen besides. It struck me as being perfectly ludicrous but I managed to be politely solicitous. How splendid it is that Mr. Foote is better. No doubt they enjoyed a glimpse of you so much. Do give so much love to Auntie Sue. Theodora was so glad to see her at the station the day she was in San Jose. To-morrow the classes meet for the

[written] p. 22 17

[typed] St.Mathew's School, San Mateo, Cal. Monday- Aug. 31st '96

My dearest Nannie - -

Your poor distressed letter came just before I left home and I feel like [written:] such a brute to think that [typed:] I have spoiled your summer pleasure. Just at present I am in a happy transition "all that's past is gone, you, know, the future is but a dream" and for the present I am staying a day or two with my dear Lolie at this most delightful place. She is so happy here and it is such a wholesome congenial atmosphere with good board, wonderful views and air and delightful people to make one happy, and I am in a very exuberant frame of mind at the prospect of getting back to dear old Stanford - that city of refuge from all that has ever been unhappy in my life. We left the house - it is no longer home - Friday at noon when the Toucoup took possession. I found an excellent man who swept the whole house so thoroughly and I saw to the woodwork and . Charles cleaned the yard and barns and porches and my man Friday washed the windows. In the course of two days all was[written] sweet and clean, and Friday & Saturday nights I stayed with Laura occupying the intervening day with paying bills and calls. Louise went to Santa Cruz for a month or so. I saw poor Auntie Sue - Mr. Minn died early Tuesday morning - he heard the news of a law suit that had been decided against him and that meant a few thousand as his loss and the business[written] worry combined with his great physical pain made life too great a burden for him and at about four A.M. Tuesday he went to the water, clothed in his stocking feet and blew his brains out. He made a deed of the homestead to Aunt Sue and wrote a note to the coroner requesting no autopsy and stating his suicide & the reasons for it. The funeral was Thursday afternoon. Poor Aunt Sue seems crused indeed but Maurice keeps as cheery and bright as can be. I went also to see Mr. & Mrs. Hazelton who have been so kind to us this summer in giving us practical advice and comfort. The rest of the friends I was too tired to call upon. I shall write to them but I know they do not understand how utterly impossible it has been to be social in the swift purgatory of the summer months - had there been time besides the house-work, sewing and business affairs to visit it would not have been so unpleasant but there was not time.. The allowance question is just as good as assured - a few weeks and it will be entirely settled, possibly in less time; then Theodora has turned over her twenty to add to mine which gives me forty a month and I feel like bloated bondholder at the very prospect. The Goodnough interest is due - an amount of 400, and there is a little coming in from the ranch in hay, dried fruit, vegetables, etc. I came here yesterday, stopping off between trains to unpack my trunks at Roble and get my dress box moved up to Miriam's room a corner room - southeast - on the second floor - I have a pretty view of the quadrangle and of the hills, three large windows and so much sunshine - the room is larger, pleasanter, airier and sunnier than the room last year - and I am resolved to keep it neat and be systmatic and I know it will be pretty. I still have Mr. Hermes fur rugs to give a Bohemian air to the floor. I caught a glimpse of the new matron, but could judge very little of her, she seemed to a moderately old woman with a bank of little gray curls on her forhead - not Miss Thompson's intellectual type - a commentary on Mrs. Stanford's taste. Theodora has just spent her half hour recess with me - her hours are so short and it such a delightful place that both of us are happier than larks. I must begin my personalhousecleaning now as everything from my hair to my nails needs a thorough overhauling - though so far I have discovered no moths! Got such a good letter from Gertrude which I enclose. Am going to have my party dress made when I need it - I believe I have never thanked you

[written] 30

[typed] May 31 - '97 San Jose at Gertrudes

Nannie dearest -

Well, well, the very first Sunday after the routine was over I missed writing my letter to you- not that I did anything that day - but just luxuriated in my laziness from morning till night. The week has been such a full one and has ended by my finding myself here at Mrs. McMillans eating my head off at her excellent table. I don't know which end to begin but guess with this morning's happiness - for Gertrude, after she saw Theodora off for Stanford on the 8o'clock train, went with me out to the cemetery. We started a little after eight o'clock with Punch and the Phaeton and had such a happy cool ride and found the dear resting place beautifully kept. I had gotten the St. Joseph lilies from the altar at church the evening before that Miss Wakefield so very kindly offered and you can picture how pretty each mound looked with its two stalks of pure lilies. It is Memorial Day of course and before we left many people had begun coming out. We drove around town in the same old jog fashion and I had a satisfactory little talk with Mr. Gostey- just to let him know that Theodora had gone to the University for the summer work and could be easily reached by telephone. I like him ever so much and feel sure he is doing his level best for the Payne estate.

Of course, Theodora has told you about the day or two here and calling upon Aunty Carry and Auntie Sue and Mrs Ballou who are all well and inquiring about you. The last commencement days were full of utmost confusion a. The most delightful thing was the Promenade Concert - the night was just warm enough mild and bright with stars - the dear Quad was outlined with chinese langterns and San Francisco's best orchestra gave the most beautiful music near the east entrance - the whole reminded me more of the World's Fair than anything else - all of the short arcades were transformed into pretty booths where different sets of girls met their friends and served refreshments. Prof.Allardice gave a little dinner party just before inviting two Miss Risings-daughters of Prof. Rising of Berkeley - who were visitinging the university, Grace Barstow, a Mr. Stadmiller from S.F. Mrs Myrich for chaperone and myself. It was the most charming dinner I was ever at- deliciously cooked and so daintily served with Prof. Young passing the coffee or passing the champagne and Prof. Allardice carving the roast. It certainly takes men to entertain beautifully. I felt very honored to have my first and last promendde with Prof. Allardice and to have him escort me home.

In your last letter you asked about Mr. Pomeroy - he was assistant professor in law last year but is now practising in the city and is a great friend of the Myricks where I met him - he is the son of the great law text book maker and jurist - don't be alarmed about him he is harmless and likes to call and make himself entertaining. I find my most congenial friends among the youngn professors - though the boys are lovely yet their tastes grow toward freshmen girls as mine grow toward freshmen. the faculty.

Mr. and Mrs. Teggart asked me to tea during commencement and I found them spending a few last days in a dear little cottage before moving into another still dearer little cottage just newly built - the have the most rollicking sixteen month old baby - so intelligent and jolly - light like the mother, but with the father's features. The tea was deliciously cooked and served by Mrs. Teggart - Mrs. Maitland and her Helen were there and the table talk was so bright and entertaining - all about politics

[written] Sept 3 - '96 33

[typed] Saturday Night -

My dear, darling Nannie -

Rain, rain, has begun in earnest, Helen and I walked to Palo Alto about five o'clock and were caught in the heaviest kind of a shower, we were simply drenched. Saw dear Prof. Anderson there, his spirits were as undampened as ours and we stood in the pouring rain

. Poor Mrs. Anderson's mother is sinking fast and Prof. A. has been sitting up all night with her till they could get a nurse and he delivered excellent lectures at the same time. Thank you so much for sending the Shelley. I am so sorry I didn't stipulate sending it C.O.D. for I fear the expense will be quite heavy - I am dying for he letter to come. Am glad you liked "no.9". Have no recollection of anything extraordinary that has happened this past week. All the Zete boys were over last evening & we danced. To-day Mrs. Fairclough had a little tea for the St. Agnes guild, we had a very pleasant little informal time with delicious sandwiches and cake with our tea. Mrs. Nicholas was a very deaf, very sweet faced, quite middle-aged woman, and Miss Nichols about sixteen looked quite like her father, very large & well built.

Sunday Morning

It is a rainy, rainy morning and I am going to stay home and "catch up" instead of going to church. I didn't go to Theodora's, as they have measles there besides its being so stormy, changed my mind about it last night when I had a letter from her.

Have I told you the great good fortune that has reached us here at Roble. Mrs. Peasly the Bakery woman whom Helen & I dined with last term is here in the Hall in charge of the kitchen & dining room. She is as good as good can be and the food has suddenly become excellent & clean. The first day she threw away about half of the meat it was so bad. Sickness in Hall might brought about the change, I am proud to know I had some little share in getting her here. Next term it is very very probable that the Roble girls have Encina Hall. A large parlour will be thrown open, a reading room, too, and the beautifull diningroom will have good food & service. This is Dr. Jordan's cherished plan so no doubt it will come about. Of course all the girls in college will be expected to board there. and the boys will have to shift for themselves.

Sunday Afternoon September 5 - 1897

I am back here at beautiful Stanford (Oh! how I love it) and my room is prettier than ever, I certainly shall have a picture of it to send to you this year. I stayed in San Jose till Tuesday dividing Auntie Sue's time with Muriam who was alone while her father & mother were away. Ever since I came here I have been busy arranging my room and it is lovely - Mary Caldwell, my room-mate, came Friday. Helen Lathrop is here in the Hall and there is such a lovely class of Freshmen girls. The dining-room is wonderfully dainty and pretty all refurnished as to dishes and glassware, spoon & linen, with such good things to eat, today we had cream & oyster soup, chicken & real raspberry jelly with a dessert of ice cream. So you see we have nothing to complain of except that my time is so short & that all this didn't come sooner. I had a lovely long talk with Prof. Anderson the other

[written] 34

[typed] September 5 - 1897

day - it was yesterday afternoon, and after we had gossiped about the different professors and their courses we talked over my work, but I haven't come to any very definite conclusions except that I am going to take one or two seminary couses courses with Prof. Hudson & Dr. Flugel but I don't think I shall take his seminary as it is too technical to be practical with regard to my teaching. He wants me very much to stay another term but that is something I know more about than he does & of course I don't want to. I must write to all the dear people whom I have been with this summer and I don't seem to have much news. I have been absorbed mounting my little sketches & things and making my corner room so pretty. Auntie Sue seemed well & was ver much improved after her trip camping at Capitola. Mrs. Gates asked me to luncheon with her and I enjoyed it so much, she sent a great deal of love to you as did Auntie Sue & Auntie Carrie & Mrs. Start & especially Mrs. Schneider who loves you very much, like everybody else. Gertrude and I went out to the cemetary taking quantities of astors - pale pink & lavender ones - that Auntie Carrie gave me and making Mama's resting place beautiful with them, with roses & other flowers on Papa's & Grandma's & the other two places; it was so peaceful & full of rest there where it didn't matter whether the house were rented or not & nobody had to teach school. Everyone is so cordial & it seems so good to see everybody, though Helen & Muriam & Alice Colt I miss dreadfully. I saw Gilbert & enjoyed the dear boy so much he took me out driving & played whist frequently while I was at Mrs. Schneiders. I have mislayed your last long letter & know that there were ever so many things in it to answer that I probably am not thinking of. I am glad, you are having a free & happy time for a while in Canovia & hope that you will enjoy it to the utmost. The house isn't rented yet but I hope that it will be soon. Gertrude seemed quite rested after her vacation. I am feeling so well & am as brown as a berry yet; have not seen many of the faculty people yet, except Dr. Jordan who was showing a friend over the Hall & came to look at my room - I am going to wo mark with chalk the place where he stood, bless him -

Yours Toodles

I see I have another half a page & so will take it up in telling you that I am so well clothed this year, I seem to have a plenty of everything I need, & shall get me only a new everyday hat for winter. Laura is tutoring one pupil in English & Muriam is beginning her work in the Washburn school. How I wish you could see my room. Theodora is well & happy.

R.