Stanford Student Letters and Memoirs

[written] 14

[typed] on the 9:36 train of San Jose. It was a beautiful morning and we walked to the Station as we had missed the 8:10 train and supposed we had plenty of time. Helen Younger, a lovely Santa Cruz girl went with us, when to my consternation we discovered we had only six minutes to make the last half of the distance in, we made it by running the last block. Good fortune seemed to follow us all day. I took my dress to a Mrs. Brown(?) a woman who makes all the dresses for one of the best clothed girls here. She generally goes into sew sew at $2.50 but said she would make my dress for 5 or 6 dollars at home and within the week. It is to be a plain dress with tartilin under-peticots made about like my dimity skirtthe neck is to have a ripple accordian pleated ruffle with bunches or rather bouquets of double violets on the shoulder and white satin belt ribbon. Miss Erkus(?) could do nothing for Theodora so on the recommendation of Meda mcMillian and Jeanie Mayberry whom we saw in the street she took it to a Mrs. Maxon who promises to remodel it within the week with white satin caps. I left an order for white evening gloves and will be fixed and so will Theodora for the future. That little white imitation ivory fan you gave me is just in style and I am going to use it. We took luncheon with Gertrude and what should she and Miss McKinnon (whom we met taking two children to a dog show]] do but get a surrey and horse and drive us out to Allis Ballon's in the afternoon - I got some whale bones and hooks and eyes out there, and Theodora had a little visit with Allis. We got back in time to take the six o'clock train back and get a seven o'clock dinner. After dinner Theodora, Alice Colt Alice Wheeler and I sat down to a game of whist. I was interupted and surprised by a call from a Mr. Royse Stroher (Figi) a very nice boy in most of my classes. Helen Younger took my hand at cards and

[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