Miriam Van Waters Papers. Reformatory for Women at Framingham, 1876-1970. Subseries 3. Student correspondence, 1936-1971, n.d. Correspondence: L, 1949-1957. A-71, folder 313. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

FRIENDSHIP

Oh the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are-chaff and grain togethercertain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.

DINAH MULOCK

[Apr 5, 1957]

To Dr. M. Van Waters

My dearest friend just a few words in answer to your most welcome letter of March 27. I sure was happy to hear from you darling you dont know what your letters mean to me. I am so far from all my friends because I still have a few which as ben very faithful to me. You take my Maggie she's so wonderful. I love her just like a sister. Wee had many good talk also many nice meals beleve me I sat at my meal and almost can see my dear maggie and at time I cant eat I cry. You dont know how lonesome I am I wish I had a picture of her I dont dare ask her

for one but I sure would love to have one picture of my Maggie. Well dear Dr I hope you are in perfect health but please dont over do it because your to much needed I was told that the place is no more what it use to be I cant thank you enough for getting me out before you were so sick darling. I shall never stop praying for you dear I have you under our blessed mother the Virgin Mary I do plead with her to help you in your work I know she will but dont over do any more then you have to do as you know she was our Lords mother. Please do not over work let the younger over work you have done your share. Now I must tell you this. Do you know that I cant do any sewing to sel because I am a dependent of my son which is an officer? I can do things to give to the Red Cross if I wish. I have no money to give because I havent any for myself as you know it cost me a lot to send my belongings here and my fare also all I had left was $18.68 so you can see I am a poor old lady my kid told me

to ask if I need anything but you know me I still I have my pride. I always have work for my needs so I am much disapointed not to be able to have a few pennys of my own but dear God its going to be a long and hard way to go [illegible] but I cant do anything to hurt my dear baby because he is all I have so I must stay [idol?] so now I must try to make the best I

tell you dear Dr I dont like California the state of the worst scandal divorce or drink. Thanks the Lord my Edna said to me mother no one will get my hubby. I love him and I am to happy to ever change. Shes a good girl shes got a big Cadillac car to get were she wants to go. We live good. Good home good food so what more could I ask. But I am really so lonsome you know I am to old to change my ways but I must make the best I can. Now please dear Dr do ask my Maggie for a picture of herself I want one so bad now I will