The Helen Evans Correspondence

History

I had one card from Ruth Evans to her sister Helen Evans (the Jan 5, 1911 card) that I bought in 2001. The rest of these postal cards were purchased from a dealer on eBay in 2015. (It is probably the same dealer, as the pencil notation identifying the postal stationery looks like it's in the same hand on all of the cards.) It is good to bring them all back together again!

I love how Helen's mother calls the automobile a "machine." Example: "If we cannot go with machine and you must come by trolly" I guess the word "automobile" was not common yet!

Postmarked Nov 8, 1910[?] to Helen Evans from classmate Dora Orr

front Addressed to Miss Helen Evans, 24 Shepard St, Cambridge Mass. Postmarked Nov 8, 1910[?] 11am in Boston Mass.

back "My dear, Just got your card this morning as long as you'd queue up going to ans. anyway I want you to come but here just the same. I'm always unlucky for a date with Louise but I want a visit with you anyway I write Dorothy & Ethel Rice & Ruth Goodnow (not knowing whether they were in Boston or not) so perhaps they will come if the girls take their walking trip - it would be good fun in this fine weather. There is a business meeting of alumnae [...] at 10.30 Sat & I cannot attend that & luncheon too - am going to try to go to that. Skidubi [?] has a little crib now & looks too cute for anything in it. Dorothy Stevens was here yesterday. I am fine but being so neat of course, I shall give the house a thorough cleaning before you are [?] out. Love Dora"

Postmarked Dec 1, 1910 to Helen Evans from sister Ruth Evans

front Addressed to Miss Helen Evans, 24 Shepard St, Cambridge Mass. Postmarked Dec 1, 1910[?] 12noon in South Hadley.

back "Dear Helen, Marjorie Smith, Florence Jones, Florence Brown, Marjorie Cordley, Eleanor Burr, Mary Asby [sic] Cheek, Helen Powell, Lena Wilson came to us. M. Fassett & Rebecca Thompson didn't go anything. Will write when anything happens / Love, Ruth."

Postmarked Jan 5, 1911 to Helen Evans from sister Ruth Evans

front A Reply Card. Addressed to Miss Helen Evans, 76 Seymour Ave, Derby Conn. Postmarked Jan 5, 1911 7am in South Hadley.

back Undivided back. "Mother dear. Isn't this funny to be writing to you on a card for Helen. The train was late and we didn't get here 'till ten oclock but we're here at last and it does seem good even if I did hate to leave and do miss you lots! To bed now and see if I can get up at 6.30 tomorrow. Lots of love, Ruth."

Postmarked Jan 9, 1911 to Helen Evans from sister Ruth Evans

front Addressed to Miss Helen Evans, 24 Shepard St, Cambridge Mass. Postmarked Dec 1, 1910[?] 12noon in South Hadley.

back "Dear Helen, I was going to write you a letter but havent [sic] time as the 25 minute bell [h]as rung. The exams are posted. Begin on Thurs. Jan 19. I have one on that P.M. One on Sat. morn. One on Mon. morn and one on Tues. P.M. One on Wed P.M. & then vacaton [sic] 'till following Monday! What do you know about that! Now do you have exams then - I'll write you more about it on Wed. I'm awfully excited about Basket Ball & they let me play with the regular team against the Seniors! They said I played better than Mary Asbey!! [sic] I'm crazy to be on the team! Goodnight now & much love, Ruth"

Postmarked Jan 19, 1911 to Helen Evans from sister Ruth Evans

front Addressed to Miss Helen Evans, 24 Shepard St, Cambridge Mass. Postmarked Jan 19, 1911 7am in South Hadley.

back "Only time for a card for you today after all and I really meant to write a letter too - I have been working on Bible which comes tomorrow P.M so I guess you'll excuse me. Can write tomorrow night as my next exam. isn't until Sat. morn. (Verse Forms!) I'm going to do well in Bible tomorrow - Good-night & much love, Ruth."

Postmarked Feb 15, 1911 to Helen Evans from her mother

front Addressed to Miss Helen Evans, 24 Shepard St, Cambridge Mass. Postmarked Feb 15, 1911 8am in Derby Conn.

back "Tuesday P.M. My dear - Louise is to take a book to the library, and will mail this when she goes. Your cards both came today as but one delivery yesterday. Father started for Chicago this morning via Springfield and the Newell Putnam meeting, Miss Collins will stay with me. Miss Musson [?] has gone home for two weeks, am glad I gave up going to S. & Mt Holyoke, it is so stormy and bad getting about. I am all right and feel quite well dear and as you see Louise comes. Expect Cousin Lund Sat, he will sleep in your room. With love Mother. Bults [?] is very good -"

Postmarked Mar 7, 1911 to Helen Evans from classmate Dora Orr

front Addressed to Miss Helen Evans, 24 Shepard St, Cambridge Mass. Postmarked Mar 7, 1911 3pm in Wollaston Mass.

back "My dear - Greetings to you and Laura! Can you both come out to dinner Thursday night and stay over night and Friday - I have asked the girls out for Friday afternoon. If this takes too much time or you have other plans - come Friday morning & spend the day but would like to have you stay a night here. What made you put the luncheon for 12.30 - beastly hour and of course I can't come. Have not heard from the girls - Love Dora"

Postmarked Mar 29, 1911 to Helen Evans from her mother

front Addressed to Miss Helen Evans, 24 Shepard St, Cambridge Mass. Postmarked Mar 29, 1911 8am in Derby Conn.

back "Tuesday Eve. / My dear - It seems a long time since you have written - may be you have been expecting to hear from us, even if Ruth is home I miss your cards, and you did'nt [sic] say you would'nt write at all, Had the machine out on Sat Father took the girls over to matinèe then we took Miss [...] over for the 5.43 train, and brought them home. Then Sunday it really was a nice day, and we started for East River so Florence could see the place, did'nt much expect to get there, but the roads really were quite decent, and not muddy even going down to the cottage, had a fine ride and wished you with us. The girls are going to Waterbury to lunch with Eunice, to morrow, and I think Florence goes to Glen Ridge the next day, Ruth continues to improve - will not write about clothes as you will be here so soon. Just when - and for how long. Love from mother"

Postmarked Apr 11, 1911 to Helen Evans from her mother

front Addressed to Miss Helen Evans, 24 Shepard St, Cambridge Mass. Postmarked Apr 11, 1911 8am in Derby Conn.

back "Monday P.M. / My dear / Your letter rec'd this morning - and will forward the one to father. This has been a nice day - and my last mission study class. Have enjoyed them but am glad they are over, as there are a number of other things to occupy my mind, good that your laundry came today for Mrs. Boone is coming tomorrow, shall be glad to have her back. Miss Mc.Cahn is expecting to work for you. Probably we can meet you in New Haven if it is only pleasant. Bishop Perry is to confirm a class at St. Pauls Easter Sun, and preach at eleven o'clock service. Isn't that fine? The Taylors are away and Miss Collins [?] is to stay two nights with me, so I shall have plenty of company. / with love / mother -"

Postmarked Jun 22, 1911 to Helen Evans from sister Ruth Evans

front Addressed to Miss Helen Evans, 24 Shepard St, Cambridge Mass. Postmarked Jun 22, 1911 8am in Derby Conn.

back "Dear dear Helen, Hurrah! The surgeon came today & was much disgusted to think he had wasted good time to see such a healthy person. The stitches just washed off! and so since he left I've been sitting up!! Oh! but it seemed good. Of course I was really lying down but it was a chair, & not a bed - such a difference. Soon you'll have much to tell you all about it & pretty soon you'll be home! much love, Ruth"

Postmarked Oct 15, 1911 to Helen Evans from her mother

front Addressed to Miss Helen Evans, 262 Benefit St, Providence RI. Postmarked Oct 15, 1911 5:30pm in Springfield Mass.

back "Middlefield Sunday morning / My dear - Just to tell you that we are here - Had a fine trip - dinner in Springfield and met the girls at 1.25 at station. F. Brown and M. Cordley came with us & Ruth waited and came with Mildred for a surprise for the others - then Esther came and surprised us all - even Ruth, M left machine [in?] Chester and drove up - Father is going back this morn, "picking up Lund" in Springfield - Clyde brought Ruth, Esther & Mildred up from Chester - we were here before dark, and they soon after - you can imagine the surprise Ruth came in alone - then soon Mildred, then Esther appeared - they are to ride part way with Father now coming around by Aldermans wish you were here too - Sincerely M-"

Postmarked Oct 31, 1911 to Helen Evans from sister Ruth Evans

front Addressed to Miss Helen Evans, 262 Benefit St, Providence RI. Postmarked Oct 31, 1911 7am in South Hadley.

back "Dear Helen, You might at least have written me that you were dead as I know you must be since I've heard absolutely nothing since ages ago & I wrote such a folio volume too - Well, never mind I realize that the "trials of school-marms is many" - We pledged Margaret MacCornack & Louise Schuler tonight. We're so pleased - you might write them if genius burns as I think it means a lot to have alumnae write you - It did to me - They are both dear - Love - and love - R."

Postmarked Dec 20, 1911 to Helen Evans from her mother

front Addressed to Miss Helen Evans, 262 Benefit St, Providence RI. Postmarked Dec 20, 1911 6pm in Derby Conn.

back "Wednesday / My dear - Father left for York State before your card came. Do not bother about the collar for we can get it here. Ruth needs regular street gloves. Father is much afraid he cannot get back till Friday night, but will do his best, if we cannot go with machine and you must come by trolly do you need someone meet you? if so send word - A lovely day for your tea / Lovingly mother"