A Letter Written on Dec 11, 1886

Mt Holyoke Sem. Dec 11th 1886.

My Dear Cousin Lucy,

I suppose two weeks from today is Christmas and ere that I shall be with you at Hunttington. [sic] I was very much pleased to hear from you. Though we have an acquaintance of but one short summer afternoon, I feel as if I had allways [sic] known you. I don't expect we can gather sweet peas from your garden or back door week after next, but we can go coasting and skating, both of which I enjoy. Don't you?

Miss Blanchard says, that those who go to Springfield may go on the train at half past six or leave the Sem. at that time. I don't know which, on Wensday [sic] night, so I suppose I shall be in Springfield Hunttington [sic] by bedtime that night.

Thursday night Colonel Shepard, of New York gave a lecture on Palistine [sic], here if illustrating it with picturs [sic] thrown upon a canvas. It was very fine, the picturs [sic] much better than I had ever seen. Colonel S- is a soninlaw of Vanderbuilt, I believe; so you see we have had a real live million heir here.

I had a letter from Cousin Amanda the day following the one on which I received yours, I am allways [sic] anxious to get letters, seems as if I couldn't wait until the girls comes with the mail and then when she doesnt [sic] bring some for me I am so disappointed.

Ella has just written lighted the lamp and as its quite dark I shall have to move nearer the table.

You will see by the words I have scratched out, that I am rather absent minded, but its [sic] most time for the mail girl to be around, so that explains it.

I have meet [sic] some very plesant [sic] girls here, two rooming opposite our room are from Spencer New York state. One of the girls in the room next to ours, gets lots of mail letters, heard her say she had received as many let as a hundred or more.

I had a very plesant [sic] time at Edwards Thanksgiving, should have liked to have been at your house, but now that its over I am just as well satisfied I guess. Its most supper time so I must go.

Sunday morning.

Its so mild this morning that we have the window open and the steam turned off. We breakfast at quarter after seven Sunday morning, other times half an hour earlier. Hash seems to be a favorite dish here for Sunday breakfasts. I allways [sic] know just what we are going to have, hash warm brown bread, and coffee. For dinner, bread and butter, sliced f beef, usualy [sic] celery and grapes.

Its perfectly wonderful, the quantity of grapes consumed here. I don't see how they keep them so late in the season.

My roommate expects to spend the holiday vacation in Springfield, she and a friend have engaged board at the rooms, or boarding hall of the young womans christian asociation. [sic]

Hoping to hear from you again, I will close for this time.

Cousin Corinne.

Love to Mattie.

[Note: Identifications of writer and Spencer students based on Seminary catalog for 1886-1887. There was only one Corinne in the list of students, and only two students who were from Spencer, NY listed in the catalog.]