South Hadley June 20th 71
My dear Mary
Your letter was received a few minutes since and I embrace the first opportunity to answer it. For such an unusual occurrence as this must not be left unnoticed. Do you suppose that Hattie has any intentions of favoring her sister with another letter while she yet remains at the Sem. There are only two weeks more from Thursday[.]
I must tell you of the exciting time we had this afternoon. A photographist from Providence wrote to the Senior class that he would like to come and take their pictures as he was coming up in the vicinity[.] Well, he came this afternoon & we went out on the Seminary grounds back of the Sem. some ways, and just as we got fixed for the picture a shower began to pour down upon us. At first we sought refuge under a tree, but as it kept on raining harder & harder we started and ran for the house. Miss Ellis leading the ran [sic]. I wish you could have seen us racing at our highest speed, for dear life. We had nothing over us & most of us got very wet - but O, if you could have seen Miss Ward! We girls can hardly keep our gravity when we think of it, she is so tall and dignified, you know, it was too funny -
This attempt proving so unsuccessful, I do not know when we shall try again. Perhaps tomorrow morning.
Write me how you are coming down - I don't know as I shall go home until Sat. & possibly Monday. I have been at work on my dress today and have very little more to do to it. It has been so cold that I have scarcely had on a thin dress this term - write me won't you once more at least, that was a splendid good letter of yours Mary -
Your loving sister
Cornelia