Miriam Van Waters Papers. Reformatory for Women at Framingham, 1876-1970. Subseries 3. Student correspondence, 1936-1971, n.d. Correspondence: Co-Cz, 1935-1971. A-71, folder 279. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge,

a lovely true letter and tribute - to keep always

your proud daughter Mary

4 Munroe St. Beverly, Mass.

October 27 '35

Dear Mrs. Van Waters,

I am very tardy in answering your lovely letter which you sent me. I've read it often and I congratulate you on your own charitable outlook toward things in general and your kind thoughtfulness toward everyone with whom you come in contact. Instead of sitting back away from things you take a working interest in conditions and try, like your lovely daughter to alleviate in no small way, many a persons' unhappiness. You may have much to be thankful for. Every one who has had the pleasure of knowing you is the better for it.

Many times I've

II. [right page] thought of you, and meant to write but we have had our days of unutterable sorrow.

My very dear brother was called to his Heavenly reward, mercifully his suffering ended last Sept 2nd. With clarity of mind and asking my dear mother and myself not to worry for him, he left us. For 2 1/2 years he bore his cross in patience and resignation to God's Will.

We who are left to mourn are comforted by the thought that he lived a pure clean life when in health and uncomplaining, he accepted his suffering.

There is another case of Hodgkin's Disease in this city, that of a young woman 27 yrs. old,

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mother of two children. I sympathize deeply for her loved ones. Unlike my dear brother I'm afraid she knows. Some indiscreet person told her of my brother's passing from the same thing. There is so much sorrow in the world.

My brother was totally unaware that what he had, was fatal, so it made his days happier.

We had many happy hours together since I came home. I was away from them two months, but it was like two years.

I am working at the same place, but we have very little work.

My mother is far from well, and is unable to do even the housework so I'm just as glad I'm not away from her all day as she is lonely as well as in poor health. It seems she has a backache that won't leave her at all. She

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goes to the doctor twice a week for Electric treatment and I hope we shall soon see an improvement.

I trust you are in good health also Doctor.

I didn't intend when I started writing this letter to tell you all of my troubles and I assure you I am very happy. I have mother, and God has been good to me. Many a person has no one. Also Thanking Him, I am endowed with good health. So I'm very grateful.

Did you get to see the paper house? I saw by the paper two new pieces have been added. You know it takes around 1 year to make an article of furniture in that manner. If I come across anything interesting for your class or something unusual I shall send it along, for I read quite a bit. This year marks the 250th anniversary of Bach the composer, and I enjoyed reading about him but it wasn't very interestingly written.

Will keep on the lookout for something interesting for you.

Sincerely, Mary E. Connors

61 Brighton Ave. , Allston, Mass.

September 28, 1940

Dear Dr. Van Waters:

It has been quite a while since I visited Sherborn, so I thought it my duty to write and thank you and Miss Kelley for the help that was given me and tell how events have shaped out since. The day I left Sherborn I was very upset and things looked very dark when I arrived in Boston, it was time for me to go to work driving a taxi, so I asked a man and woman I didn't know if they would mind the children while I ran across the street and get my cab. I put the children in back and asked them to stay low and then I drove them to the address you had given me. It was this sad duty I had to perform that made me realize how much the children meant to me. I was crying all the way to that organization, and the one they finally sent me to. They are getting wonderful care, but I only see them once a week.

I was fortunate in getting a better paying job, but I can't get a cent saved for a home for the children and myself because if I buy a pair of shoes or something it runs me short on their board, but I have my eyes open for any better paying jobs.

Lillian left the day I left and got her self a job. She didn't leave any address and when I visited my brother's home a week later she still hadn't tried to get in touch with the children in fact when I left the house with them she didn't even cry or say good-bye to them. When she worked in Belmont she was running around with the man who had broken up our home in Malden. She came home to where she worked with him late one night, she didn't know that I was waiting for her. I could of have put her back in Sherborn, but she was going to have another child and I didn't have the heart. Well, we went up to Ayer and that was the worst thing we could have done, because most of the women were very fast and Lillian just joined them and under cover she was worse than any of them. She was a wonderful housewife and took wonderful care of the children. These things helped me to believe the lies she was telling me about how true and honest she was. Well, since then I have found out a lot, and I could hardly believe that a woman could stoop so low. I am afraid she will end up like all the other times - back in Sherborn. I only wish I could have known her before she met bad companions and got into the different troubles that befell her - maybe things would have been different.

Today I applied for legal custody of the children and I believe I'll get it. Well, forgive me if my letter has been boring. I'll close now and say "thank you again."

Respectfully

Thomas A. Corbett