A Letter Written on Dec 26, 1905

Mary Lyon Chapel
Mt. Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass.

Dec. 26, 1905.

My dear Lucy:-

Your post card was received yesterday. I think it is very pretty. You were very kind to think of me.

As you know, I have had trouble with my neck again and Dr. Underhill sent me home Thanksgiving to see the doctor. It was the first Thanksgiving I have spent at home since I have been at College. The next day I had the operation, when a second gland was removed. The Dr. said it was the most tedious operation he ever performed, the gland was so deep and he had to be very careful not to cut a blood vessel. I stayed at the hospital until the next Monday, as the Dr. was afraid I would take cold if I went out. It pained me at first, especially when eating and was very sore. It healed very quickly as the stitches were taken out in ten days and I went back to College for the last week.

My class letter was written while I was at home. It was written late and is not interesting I know. I wonder when the letters will be published.

The Christmas Concert was as good as usual. There were new selections as well as the old ones. The Junior Choir sat in the gallery, the others occupied the choir seats. There was a Processional and Recessional. I read in the Springfield Republican that hereafter the Concert is to be given in Holyoke on alternate years.

There was a great deal of work waiting for me when I returned. I took two books home with me and was able to study during the Thanksgiving vacation. We had a test in but after I returned. This I shall take when I go back next term. I am trying to study this vacation, but haven't accomplished much so far.

Lottie Lane visited College on her return from school. She came the night of the Christmas Concert. The 1905 girls were notified by her coming by Hazel Huntley, whose guest she was. We went out to the car to meet her and sang our class song. She was very glad to see us. Gertrude Newell and Nan Gilnack were back too. Nan is to teach in Amherst, Mass. next term.

How long a Christmas vacation do you have? It doesn't seem possible that I have been at home a week. Last Wednesday afternoon Helen and I went to Nashua, as I had to go to the doctor's. He doesn't think I'll have any more trouble. My mouth is a little one sided, so have my face treated with an electric battery. I also have to take medicine.

Sunday evening a Cantata "The Star of Promise" was given by the young people of our Sunday School. It was very good. They have spent a great deal of time in rehearsals. There were soloes, quartette, and chorus singing.

Yesterday we were invited to Grandma's to dinner. We had our presents in the morning before going. Instead of a tree, Lizzie and Helene had fixed up a clothes basket in which they put the presents of the family, which were distributed after dinner. Aunt Annie gave me a pair of blue and white bedroom slippers, with which I am very much pleased. I had many other presents too. In the evening we went to the chapel where a few exercises were given and where there was a tree for the Sunday school. Uncle George was Santa Claus. Helene and Harold were his children. They were in costume.

I saw Gertrude and Mary last night. Mary's school begins a week from to-morrow; Gertrude's, Monday. Their schools closed the fifteenth. They enjoy their work very much. Marian spent last Friday night with them. She was on her way home from school.

Saturday night the lumber mill belonging to Mr. Smith was burned. It is on Nashua Street, farther down than the McLane manufactory which you saw. As the river was in the rear of the building, the firemen couldn't reach it on that side. There was a large amount of lumber in the mill at the time.

Only five weeks of next term and I shall be through College, I hope. I brought home my trunk full of summer clothes, books, sofa pillows etc., so I can pack more easily next time.

We all send our love to you. I want to hear from you whenever you have time.

Your friend,
Addie B. Fitch.
Milford, N.H.