Allabach correspondence

Minnie went with a Mr. Gifford, who is in my German class and is rather hay-seedy and old but enjoyed the seven mile ride to Redwood City, supper at the Hotel and home again.

O, the girls have been teasing me because I took a short walk with a Utah youth who is perhaps eighteen, after the ball game yesterday. His name is Howard Trumbo. We all believe him to be a nice boy and they only want to tease me, because it was but a short walk and was between four and five o'clock but I thought I'd confess.

O, I must tell you something that overjoyed us. Mattie Haven has asked us to spend Christmas vacation at her home in Oakland. She knows Mrs. M'Cord's friend, Mrs. Parcell, also her two songs. But you see we go to San Jose with Elsie Shelley for Thanksgiving and to Oakland for Christmas.

I may have all the money I need for Thanksgiving but being away from here, if any is sent this month send it before Wednesday, 25th; otherwise not till the first of December. I have seven dollars but some books have been ordered that will cost three or four dollars and they are expected most any time and of course I'll have to pay for them I presume when they do come. Of course it only costs a dollar to go and come from San Jose and I only make the statement so that you will know all about it.

Well, with lots of love to you, I'll stop. I don't seem to write any but home letters and how all that list of my intended letters and those I owe is to be gotten through I don't know.

With best of love, to you and Mama and Papa. I am increasing in size so that I feel my skirt bands and waists.

Lucy Allabach

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Roble Hall November 15, 1891

Dear Mama:

The box came this morning and though it is Sunday evening we opened it and we are very much pleased. The cover is very pretty indeed and the fruit dish fine. It is very pretty indeed and the other things will be used. I found that we are furnished with soap, but will use the olive for my face as it is that pink and white castile that they furnish.

The box of candy is just fine and it was so good of Mell to send it. The girls who live near have cake, candy, and jam, every little while from home and some of them have asked us in their rooms at

such times quite often, so we can now return the favor. We were over to Mr. and Mrs. Howard's this afternoon and we stayed for supper which we helped get and enjoyed much. It is so pleasant for us to have them here. They have us a bag of apples and tomorrow evening perhaps at quarter before ten when we have our lessons, Clara and Carrie, and Aggie and Mattie, Edith, Elsie and Mary Hyde who brings such fine fruit back when she comes from her home, will come to room 25 and devour the candy and apples. Our food is pure and there is plenty of it but it is not tempting. It is beans, potatoes, meat, etc.

There is no tempting aroma coming from them and they are not seasoned and fixed to attract the palate but it seems not to be necessary as the climate makes all eat. I say this only to show how we shall appreciate the candy. Of course we never have any jam or preserves and when one gets a jar we take some crack crackers up from table and have them with the jam.

Well it is so late I must not stay up as I did not go to bed early last night or Friday night.

Minnie's mothers scrim scarf will make a cute bureau scarf and with our curtains, and sofa (trunk covered) our cushions that we shall fix, photographs, etc., we shall look quite fine.

Is'nt it fine that we have invitations for Thanksgiving and Christmas? I am so anxious for the 25th inst. I can hardly wait. Well with best of love I am your own far away Lucy who loves her mother, father and sister if she is a cross patch. I have so many good things I ought to be an angel but that is easier said than done.

Good night

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Roble Hall November 21, 1891

My dear Helen:

I have had four letters today and consider myself very fortunate indeed. The first was from Miss Gilcrest which came at noon, and this evening yours, papas and one from Lora. Papas was the most valuable of course but all three were very gratefully received and if letters are a joy and pleasure at home I don't know what expresses it away from home. Minnie had five last evening and I four this evening but we would prefer them more dispersed.

Lessons went as usual this week. I have had some praise but don't feel very much self-elevated as the work is made very difficult. In my first history review I was very low but it was because I did not understand Professor Howard's methods

rather than lack of knowledge, and in the last one I received 90 and it was marked good. As all his pupils consider him very hard to satisfy, that is very good.

In "Art of Writing" Mr. Newcomer, the professor said that he did not expect to criticise the work of such a pupil as myself but could only expect to keep me at work. As the description was my home, the subject having been given us, I will send it you as it may interest you.

Professor Griffin told one of the young ladies that he thought I did well in German, and I have no reason to believe that I am without the approbation of my other teachers, but to tell the honest truth, I never was so little satisfied with the work that I do, considering the amount of time it takes and the post graduates all agree that they were never anywhere where fifteen hours work would consume so much time. It is all done to raise the standard of the school and to drive out the non workers; but it is going to be rather hard on those who are faithful but not very apt.

Last evening the remainder of the Professor's had open house and we had such a pleasant time