306 West Grand St.
Elizabeth, N.J.
Dec. 2 - 1881My dear little Nell,
Your nice letter was duly received, and I have started to answer it several times. I am afraid your extravagant ideas of boarding school would hardly be realized here. We do not make the girls recite lines at all, and the only Mademoiselle that is here at all stays about an hour and a half twice a week. You ask about the children, whether they are very bright, as a rule I don't think they are, but then I never went to school with as young girls as most of these are, so I am not a good judge. I think the brightest in school, is a small boy named Henry Whipple, and is about nine years old. He is as mischievous as can be and I enjoy teaching and watching him very much. He is quite in love with the girl who sits behind him, and improves every opportunity to tease her. She is rather pretty and her name is Helen Boorman. She is fair and a little larger than you. In my judgment one of the older girls is the most stupid, but there are a good many excuses for her, as she does not have a very happy home life.
In my room there are three boys, Henry Whipple, Georgie Mears, and Willie Vaughan. There are twelve girls, including Ida & Minnie. The oldest, beside I & Minnie is fourteen. Yes, I wish you could peep in at me. There are quite a number of boys in the little room, but I only have them in gymnastics and mental arithmetic. I will answer all your questions when I come home Christmas. By the way, you must write me what you want for Christmas - there are only three weeks from to-day before I shall be starting home. Auntie says give her love to Mama, Dudie & Jennie, and tell them she thinks of them very often. She is so busy that she does not have time to write.
Mrs Muldaur is ever so much better. She walked all around her room to-day with the help of a stick.
There is going to be another foot-ball match to-morrow. Ida & Minnie expect to go, but I don't expect to, though I may.
Minnie received the letter, with the ribbon, this morning.
Love to each and all -
Your loving sister
P.S. Mrs Moore says tell Dudie she will write Sunday, and sends love -
We are all well and happy. Mrs M-'s cold is better.
Write soon. Love to all
Your daughter
AliceJan. 22 - '82
The girls had a gay time yesterday, and expect some more this week. It is bright, cold & very windy. Went to hear the new minister this morning, and like him very much. He is to be installed next Thursday.
Again,
Alice.