306 West Grand St.
Elizabeth, N.J.
Nov. 7 - '81Dear Mother -
Yours enclosing the one from Ev. was duly received, and was very welcome.
I believe I wrote the day before to Jennie and stated our plan for Saturday and Sunday. Friday afternoon just as we were starting down the street a letter came to Ida from Charlie Moody saying that he would be in N.Y. Sunday and would come over to Elizabeth in the evening. Ida dropped him a postal saying that we would be in N.Y. Saturday and Sunday and if he called at 950 Lex. Ave. we would come home together. Saturday dawned bright and cool, and we left here about nine o'clk. As George was going over to go with his cousin to see Michael Strogoff, we all left at the same time. Mrs. Muldaur was very sick when we left, but every one said that we would not be needed so we concluded not to give up [the] trip on her account. We left George a little way up Courtland St. then continued our walk up C- to Broadway and then to Murray St to 23. C.C.S. wrote that he would not be able to meet us and gave directions how to get to the office. Mr. S. & Charlie seemed very glad indeed to see us, and proposed several ways of spending an hour or two down town. We were obliged to do a little shopping, and so could not spend much time in sight seeing.
C. proposed that we should go down on Wall St. to see the stock Exchange, so off we went, leaving our hand bag containing our night clothes at the office. The Exchange was very different from what I had imagined. The gentlemen behaved worse than school boys, and one could hardly hear onesself [sic] think for the hubbub. From there we took a B'd way stage up to twentieth street, leaving C.C.S. at Murray. Then we crossed 20th St to 6 Ave. to O'neil's [sic] where we did our shopping. Then we took the elevated up 6 Ave to 59th St. and the street cars to Lex. Ave and walked up to 950, passing the Normal Sch, the Armory of the 7th Reg, and one or two hospitals.
Mrs Stetson & Ella said they feared we were not coming, and were glad to see us. We had a very nice lunch. A Mrs Rathburn, whom Chas. & Papa have both met was to lunch. After lunch we talked till Mr S. came in about four, and then we four girls and Mr Stetson went out for a ride in Central Park. The day was perfect and we had a delightful ride. There were a great many elegant "turn outs", and we all enjoyed the
rideafternoon.Soon after dinner, which we had between six and seven Mr S. asked us to go over to the American Institute fair. We four girls, C- & Mr S. went and looked at things for about two hour[s]. I saw something that I want to get for you Christmas, but I want to tell you what it was. Mr Arbuckle gave us a Cornet solo "Silver Threads" and as an encore "Way down upon the Swanee River." We enjoyed it all but were pretty tired when we got home. We three girls had a nice large bed so we slept to-gether though there were two beds ready for us. We were asleep a few minutes after we touched the pillows and slept till about eight the next morning. The first sound we heard in the house was the breakfast bell, and soon Ella came up to see if we were ready for breakfast. We told her to tell her mother we would be down as soon as we could, but for her not to wait breakfast for us. We dressed as quickly as we could, and went down stairs and found every one waiting for us.
Ida had quite a severe headache so did not go to church. Mrs S. and the rest of us went. It hardly seemed liked [sic] a City church. The minister gave the right hand of fellowship to four new members. It was communion Sunday, but only Baptists were invited to stay. Minx & I took seats in the side aisle and waited for the others. Then we went home to dinner. After dinner Mr. S- invited us out to ride. C- & E- both were obliged to go to S.S. and as I expected Ev. Metcalf sometime in the afternoon had to decline. Mr S. went across the street and invited a young lady to make up the party. I waited in the parlor for Ev. until I was tired. A note from Charlie came saying he would be there at seven o'clock unless we wanted to take an earlier train. We had planned to leave at 5.30 unless we heard from C. About four Ev. put in an appearance, and we had a very pleasant visit together.
C. & M. came before the folks got back from their ride, and on looking at our time, and time table found it would be impossible for us to catch the 5.30 train, so we decided to catch the six. I forgot to tell you that C.C.S. forgot to bring our hand bag up with him so that we had to borrow every thing and as he did not have the key to the Office, and did not know where the porter lived we were obliged to leave it to be expressed to us. It has not come yet, but I suppose it will either to-day or tomorrow. Mr S. & C. saw us, our party and Ev & Chas on the 3rd Ave. cars and that was the last we saw of them. Ella felt dreadfully to have us go, cried and cried when we told her good bye. She has grown quite tall and large and seems no better than she used to be. We felt sorry enough for her and it was only through us that she went out riding Saturday.
Well after we got started we began to think about supper as we had not had any, and we found as we could not get on the first two down trains, they were so crowded, that we could not get the six o'clk. train. We got out at 28th street and got our supper at Delmonicos. Then we took Ev. home, & then had to wait half an hour in the Jersey City depot before we could get home. While we were crossing the Ferry we saw the big fire at Hoboken, and a grand sight it was.
We all enjoyed our trip very much indeed.
Mrs Muldaur was very sick Sat. and Sunday, but is better to-day. Mrs Moore probably wrote Dudie all about it yesterday. The Dr thinks she will not be able to be [sic] for a week or two. Inflammatory Rheumatism I believe. It is cloudy and rainy and quite cold.
To-morrow being election day we do not have school, which will be very nice.
Received a letter from Dudie this morning also one from Elisha. Was quite surprised to hear of the addition in Levin's family. It seems very funny. It is getting dark and I must take this to the P.O. so you can get it tomorrow.
With lots of love
Your daughter
AliceHope Jennie is well. Tell her Ida says she will write to-morrow. Mrs Muldaurs [sic] sister from N.Y. has been here all day, was here during yesterday and the day time of Sat.
Again
AliceIda is busy studying and as we are to have holiday to-morrow she delays writing till then.