306 West Grand St.
Elizabeth, N.J.
Oct. 16 - '81Dear Mother -
I suppose you have received both the telegram and postal I sent Friday evening and are well informed as to my safe arrival.
We were a little disappointed yesterday as we fully expected Mrs Moore and Ida & Minnie, a telegram came about eleven o'clk. in the moring [sic] saying they would not be here till Monday evening. If we hear tomorrow what train they take perhaps we shall go down to the depot to meet them. We do not know whether they leave Providence to-night or tomorrow morning.
Now as to myself and surroundings. The house is beautifully situated and pleasant in every respect, plenty of windows, books, chairs and carpets everywhere. Mrs Muldaur and George are lovely, and Miss Murphy very pleasant, so if I can be happy I shall be. My room is small but as I have it all to myself that is not an objection, the room itself is about the size of the hall room, and then there is a large, convenient closet for the washstand and clothes. As the bed is single I have plenty of room. The carpet is blue and yellow and the furniture a very light blue. I put up some of my pictures and it looks quite home-like.
The school hours are from nine to one with a recess of ten minutes at 10.30, my classes are principally arithmetic and Latin. My French comes twice a week during school hours. Mrs M. says she thinks I will be alone and will have half an hour lesson. I have a Borel's French Grammar which I forgot to bring, and I may send for it. Mrs M. does not know exactly what Ida & Minnie want to study so perhaps I shall have some lessons to hear after lunch which is at one oclk. I shall probably practise in the morning before school, but if I find I cannot get a whole hour then I shall change it.
Yesterday afternoon I took a walk with Mrs Muldaur, and in the evening went to choir meeting with Miss Murphy, so I have seen considerable of the City, it is a very pretty place indeed and so different from
GeorGeorgetown. To-day I went to church with Mrs Muldaur and George, and after church we went to Sunday school. The two churches I have seen to are much larger than the ones in Geo'town and are heavily draped, the galleries, choir and pulpit almost entirely black. The S.S. room was the prettiest one I ever was in, a very pretty carpet on the floor, large windows, mottoes hanging all around, and the nicest benches for the classes, they were some thing like this in shape [crescent shape, with chair for teacher inside the crescent] and very convenient for the teacher to see the whole class.The weather has considerably moderated. I have on my linen lawn and my light blue shawl. My appetite is very good, and I have eaten heartily every meal. We have breakfast at half past seven, and retire about ten.
I am writing out on the porch, George has been out here reading but was tired of his book so has gone for something else and has just returned with a volume of the Aldine.
Auntie has just come out, and as my supply of news is exhausted I will stop for the present.
With lots & lots of love to each one.
As ever
Your daughter
AliceI mail this on my way to church with George & Miss Murphy -