Stanford Student Letters and Memoirs

[written] p. 12 g XVI

[typed] The last time that Rose and I were in San José together, Ge trude and Miss McKinnon got a surrey and drove us out to Allis' She is very much changed - for the better. She had found the repose that she lacked; but I am unable to tell whether it is great happiness or the end of a hard struggle that has brought her this peace. Mr. Bradford goes to Africa in a month - not to return for 5 years. He gives Allis no encouragement for a marriage under a year but Allis looks on the hopeful side and thinks it will be less than a year. She expects to follow him to Africa and be married there, after he is finally established. She is announcing her engagement and seems full of peace. I hope he will appreciate this rare girl that he will get when he marries Allis.

(June?), Rose and I hear, is down here and very much wants us to see us to get a recommendation as cook for the Figi House! Isn't that a huge joke! He got into some difficulty at Mrs. Parks and wrote me a long letter saying she wouldn't pay him what she owed him and beseeching me to see her in his behalf ending with profuse blessings etc, etc. -a letter which I paid not attention to and I doubt if I shall recommend him. I think it will be hard for him any place and he will have to adapt himself more than he has any idea of before he makes a success of any place.

I am afraid you will think we have forgotten our studies when I tell you we are thinking of organizing a whist club of 6 girls and 6 boys to meet once a mo. or so. It is very undeveloped as yet, but 4 of us girls have played a few times and enjoy it so much, we hope to carry it further. (note on side)We admire your own immensly

Give my love to Aunt Clara, with a heap for your own dear self. Theodora.

[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.