It is next to impossible to get a letter written here for there is something going on all the time. I don’t see how Alma ever found time to write at all.
Really I don’t believe I ever had such a good time in my life before. I just think it is perfectly lovely here. Everybody treats me so well especially Alma’s admirers. Most everyone thinks I look and talk like Alma. The nicest compliment I got was from a man. Mr. Woodruff who goes with Sara told her that he thought I was fine looking and had such pretty eyes. What do you think of that? I told Sara it was the only compliment I ever received on my looks was when Lil said I would be nice looking if I had not such an ugly nose.
Laura Holmes, the girl who is visiting Eunice gave me a shirtwaist set today. It is the courtship of Miles Standish. There are two pins of Priscilla and one of Miles Standish and one of John Alden. Her home is in Plymouth Mass so I think it very appropriate that she should give them.
She gave Eunice a signet ring for a commencement present. Alma gave her one of her cap and gown pictures and she is going to give Alma and I each a picture taken in her choir robe. Oh I think she is a perfect dear.
I like so many of the girls and feel so well acquainted with some of them. Eunice and Sarah are awfully nice. They are planning a surprise for Alma for her birthday. It will be a spread in our room. They have the spreads here because Alma can have her light burning after ten.
I played tennis a while today with Laura, Eunice and Sara and also went to a girls basketball game. The Juniors beat the Sophomores 5 to 4. Everybody is glad because the Sophs are so conceited they thought they were sure of the championship. Sara and I went with our dressing sacks on.
I have been to four recitals and a conservatory rehearsal already. Tonight at the rehearsal Miss Tarrant sang the jewel song from Faust. You remember the one that we heard Mrs. Greene sing. She did it very well although her voice is small compared to Mrs. Greene’s voice.
I am going to another piano recital tomorrow afternoon. Today after dinner Mr. Tyler played for Laura and me. He played several things that he had played at his recital. He is certainly fine. I am always wishing that he was not colored.
Alma has received three presents. A shirt waist set from the girls. A beautiful belt pin from Florence and a hat pin from Maude Porter. The hat pin has on it the seal of Oberlin. The shirt waist set is the head of a Turk. The belt pin is the head of a lady and is simply beautiful.
Alma is very anxious for an alumni pin. She wants it more than anything else. Sara has one and enjoys having it so much. I think Alma ought to have one. She is afraid you will think they cost too much. They are $4.50. But then she only graduates once.
I am so sorry you were sick after I left. I certainly hope you are all right now. You really worked too hard but I truly appreciate it. I hope you will be able to send a box to Alma because it would be so nice. Especially if we have a spread.
I often sit beside James Reagan at the table and he was about [???] Canton. He is a queer fellow not at all to my liking.
The board here is very good and we have lots of milk to drink and such good cream for everything. We had chocolate ice cream for desert [sic] at noon.
I bought a hat pin for Grace Cotton [or something]. I got a nice pretty one for 50 cents.
I ironed two shirt waist for Eunice Alma [I think] and a woolen for Eunice and a whole lot of cottons and towels.
Tonight I am alone because President King is having a reception for the seniors. Alma went with Mr. Sackett and Sara and Eunice went with Mr. Woodruff. He first asked Sara but she told that him she was going with Eunice but he could go along if he wanted to.
Eunice and Sara are all through with their work and Alma will be after tomorrow. Then we are going to have a picnic
It is going to be pretty hard to find a house here but I guess we can get something even if it isn’t what we want.
Don’t work too hard to get the house in order for it isn’t necessary. Alma & I were taken through a house Monday that was not in the best order.
I am sorry for your sake that the cherries are almost over because the robins will begin on the mulberries you will have further to go to watch them.
Write soon and say what you think about the alumni pin.
I was so sorry to hear of Mrs. Olds death Was she sick long? It is remarkable that Mr. Kanneberg [???] has lived so long.
Now don’t work too hard and go visiting? Has Mrs. Gilson come yet? With lots of love,
Lil said I would be nice looking if I had not such an ugly nose. Yup, I'd say Eva's got the Provines nose. But she knows how to make herself look nice. Lil is in the Non-Family page for Mabel, Lil, Steenie, and Orestes.
I recently found Alma's yearbook and am working on uploading relevant pages. Here's what I found:
Sara must be Sara Grant Laird.
Mr. Tyler is Jesse Gerald Tyler. A talented young man, as Eva said.
Mr. Woodruff was probably Lyle Dennet Woodruff of Ashtabula County, Ohio. He was planning to be a missionary. He looks very pious in his picture.
I think the Eunice whom Eva mentions must be Alma's classmate Eunice Anna Miller, from South Carver, Massachusetts, who was on the basketball team.