Stanford Student Letters and Memoirs

[written] Rose March 15 '96 p. 5

[typed] My dearest Nannie--

I simply can't remember the last time I wrote, Theodora reminds me that I must begin away back before the suit. She is just getting into her little pink wrapper & says "tell Nannie how much I love it", it is just right in dimensions & so becoming. Of course the day of the suit was the greatest day in the year & perhaps in the history of the University. I can't begin to describe it but will send you a copy of the red letter Sequoia that tells the story better than I could. I haven't done much toward making up back work, as it is rather a gradual process, & study has been very interrupted by holidays & committees etc. We had two days vacation at the news of the decision of the suit, and since then Founders Day. As for committees--Mr. Heme being '97 class president has put me on the Junior Farce committee which meant five farces to read & pass judgment upon, also upon the decoration committee for the Junior Promenade & cordially invited my attendance at his reception committee meetings, but the last honor I declined. The students are also getting up a comic opera--"Said Pasha" in which Laura Marm takes the leading part as queen, which she fills admirably with her sweet voice & pretty face. I lead the chorus and am shocked to find that it is to be given on the 3rd & 4th of April which is Good Friday. I don't know what I can do as it is billed for that night & I don't know whether I can withdraw from my part. I haven't observed lent in any but a very accidental way. It is out of the question to deny oneself anything in the food line as it is all we can do to live on what you do get, let alone going without anything, and as far as dances are concerned, my conscience doesn't hurt me a bit in having a good time when it comes to me if I can afford it. While I had my little sick spell, Grace Clack, Laura, Gertrude Macintosh, Charlotte Phillips & Miriam Maclaren got up a beautiful little party, rather Mrs. Macintosh gave it & we girls received. She had a professional decorator and waiters and threw open her house, & I never had such a good good time in my life, nor saw a party go off so well. The next thing was the Sophomore Cotillion--Grace Clark & Stuart Cotton lead. I was so unfortunate as to have two invitations that I didn't want to accept before the one that I did want to accept. So I had to stay home on that account. But the Junior is to be very fine. I was disappointed a little over the Sophomore but not much. We have had a most lively winter--at one time very, very cold with snow way down in the foothills & the rest of the time like spring weather, the poppies are out in abundance and a sprinkling of buttercups and johny-jump-ups. For the most part it has been so warm that heavy clothing is uncomfortable. Theodora & I both heard Paderweski. She heard him in San Francisco when I was ill & I in San Jose when he gave a concert under the auspices of the student body and the tickets were only two dollars. I am ever so much better than I have been all term, the rest doing me so much good: am quite regular in every respect & eat much religiously every morning, the board isn't so very bad. I saw Mrs. Dunn yesterday & she inquired about you. Mrs. Teggart had a little girl arrive in her family last February. She asked Anna Kohler & me to take tea with her soon and I am anxious to. Friday, Theodora & I were surprised to find Mrs. Howard & Miss Howard to see us last Friday. They are people we met at Mrs. Mynicks and that we didn't like much. Miss Howard is thinking of taking a course here till the end of the year. Next week is the last before the spring vacation which begins Mar.21 & lasts a week. We have made no plans yet I think I shall stay here & work on my Milton thesis. I have the last fourteen years of his life to work on. I inquired of the Beedy's about Cousin John & they said he [written:]was at a comfortable institution [typed:]at Westminister.

[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] 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.