Miriam Van Waters Papers. Reformatory for Women at Framingham, 1876-1970. Subseries 3. Student correspondence, 1936-1971, n.d. Correspondence: B, 1943-1944. A-71, folder 274. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

Nov. 29, 44

Dear Buttons: It is 1A.M. and I have no ink but here goes. I should have written long ago but so help me I work the darndest hours and I work - - hard. I've lost 8 lbs in fact. My entire meals for today consisted of a sand + coffee for lunch at 1P.M. and 1/2 sand + cold coffee at 9.30P.M. - so you see what I mean.

I hope you are well and back to work but I expect they will forward this to you in case you are not. I cant find your home address. Take it easy now - you last longer you know!

Beverly is getting wonderful + fat. Weighs about 12 [lbls?]! She is very cute and is still dainty despite her chubbiness. She smiles now and Goo's quite intelligently. This Sunday if all goes well a friend of mine is going to photograph her at home. I will send you one right away.

If you are at work now Doctor will have told you about this but here goes - this is all I know about it. My mother has sent George a letter (he is in West Virginia now) giving him a certain length of time (I dont' know how long) to do something for Beverly. If he doesn't she is going to the A. Med. Assn. and spill the beans and how much farther I don't know. I can't stop her. She says my feelings in the matter don't interest her - it is Beverly's future security which is at stake. If anything should happen to me she wants her provided for. She said I never gave her a chance to help me when I was in trouble and she wants to prove she can help me. I'm all at sea - but I can't stop her at all. Well enough of that. I haven't seen Tobey for quite some time but the last I knew things weren't going too good. Helen is at Mass Womens hosp. for until Dec 4th. [It?] only turned out to be [adhesions?].

Well I am rather tired now so will close for now. Please write soon - note new address Love Barbara

P.S. Still haven't heard from {Doctor} V.W. have written 3 times!

Dec. 7, 1944

Dear Kelley:

Just a line to tell you that I am fine and so is my Beverly. She is gaining all the weight I am losing I guess cause she is as fat as can be.

I was so happy to talk to you on the phone this week. It brings you so close and I need the moral support of my good friends at Framingham so much now. I got a letter from {Doctor} Van Waters and it made me so happy. It is terrible about Mrs. V.W.'s hip. She much be very brave to wait so long to have it set. I hope everything turns out all right. Sat. I will pray for her quick recovery.

Today I took out a $1000. insurance policy on myself to insure some security for Beverly in case of my death. I also took $500 ins - 18 yr. endowment for or on her. It will be quite an amt. to pay on my already slim budget but I feel it was necessary. I hope you agree. It will be $7.91 every 3 [mos?] for mine and $1.18 every

month for Beverly's. On $20 a week with $12.50 board + room for us and about $5 for my food it doesn't leave much over. But Beverly is worth every cent and more. I'd give my last penny just to see her great big smile and those lovely innocent eyes.

How did you make out about calling my Aunt Ruth? Write and tell mw all about it. I got a lovely letter from George's mother this week - did I tell you about it? I am sorry for that poor lady - he gave and is giving her a lot of heart-aches too.

I see George [Scace?]frequently but as yet I don't know how the wind blows. He is so good and considerate and kind, but he is slow and caseful in making up his mind and it will take quite a while if ever. He would be a wonderful father and husband but he would never set the world on fire. I feel like being settles down now without all the tension and emotional exhaustion of being in love too. But maybe I am not good enough to deserve him. He likes me a lot I know but I doubt if anything comes of it.

Please show this letter to {Doctor} Van Waters and tell her I will try to go to church regularly and will write her very soon. Thank you both for everything

Sincerely - Barbara

December 11, 1944.

Social Service Index, 43 Hawkins St., Boston, Mass.

Gentlemen:

We are interested in securing any information you have about one George Scace, Housotanic Road, Pittsfield, Mass.

One of our students is c onsidering becoming a housekeeper for him, and we would like to know whether he has a record or a reputation. Thank you for your courtesy.

Very truly yours,

Superintendent. MVW/K