[Though the year was not included in the letter's dateline, it could be inferred by the mention of the Grant/Seymour presidential contest.]
Mt. Holyoke Sem. Nov. 14th
My dear Mary
You are a jewel to write me so many nice little "Molly like" letters, and I have intended that you should have the letter "all to yourself" that you asked for, before this I believe you and Mother have done your part in letter-writing most faithfully, but perhaps Hattie now has so many and multiplied cares, that she is partly excusable, and Richard - alas! Just remind that brother that there is a certain letter in his possession that has not been answered, and tell him that his correspondent is very impatient.
I commenced a letter to you to send by Mr Bancroft's folks but as I only saw them for a few min before they went away I did not have a chance to finish and send it.
They came just before dinner to the Hotel, and Mr B. came over after Mary, they took dinner there and then came back to Sem, but I had work just after dinner, so that I saw very little of them.
They brought a table-spread, lamp-shade and cloth for a curtains, there was a rocking chair which formerly had a cane seat, that we found in the room for which they got a piece of crash, and by the aid of hammer and tacks, we have made it quite servicable. They engaged a new one which has not yet arrived.
Mrs B. wanted to know if my dress "set well," I could not inform her then, but upon examination since I cant [sic] make out that it is made over, in the waist I mean, for which I am very glad, as I was afraid you at home then, would fuss with it, because I dont [sic] need it, in the least; have not worn it yet, and presume I shant, for it is only a little more than a need now before -
I have sat moping over a stupid composition for four consecutive hours to day. I assure you that this makes our Saturday's very agreeable days.
If you dont [sic] take the Springfield Republican now, you probably have not seen the account of the Illumination on the eve of Election day. At eight oclock [sic] the lamps were placed in the windows at the same moment (by the bell of course) then for half an hour we walked the street to get a view on all sides, it was much finer than I would have imagined. Two and three lamps in every window. In one the word Grant was made to shine out. We gathered in front of the Sem. and sung some patriotic songs, gave three cheers for Grant and groans for Seymour. There were eight for Seymour in school, and those were all Juniors, which seemed to be very gratifying to old scholars.
Every Saturday the weekly account is given in. Some of the principal items are - Wardrobe in order, Account Books ballanced [sic], Amount of + or - time in Domestic Work, and Composition &c
Mary just now brings me an apple, which I am devouring as I write. She has seated herself at her Algebra, and so must I. Good night - I will write more before I send it.
No more this time
I see you Wednesday
C.
[The Springfield Republican wasn't the only paper that ran the story of the Illumination. The article below ran in the Boston Transcript on Nov 7, 1868.]
