Wheaton Fem. Sem.
Jan. 12. 1860.My dear Dora,
I have just come up from dinner, and a short time being left before study hour. I am going to write to my long neglected Dora.
I can offer no apology, except want of time, and I can never find time to accomplish nearly all I wish.
Last term I wrote a great many letters but this term have written but few.
I have no time that I can call leisure, except at noon, and then most of the time study calls me to resign all pleasure.
The year 1860, has at last arrived, does it seem possible? How funny it seems to write it.
Monday evening, we celebrated "as New Years eve". We had a Christmas tree laoaded [sic] with various presents.
Our society, "The Psyche" were dressed as became the ladies of the seventeenth century, and represented various characters. The other society represented foreign nations. Turk, Persian, Chinese &c. We had a very amusing time I can assure you. The performance closed with an "old folks concert".
So we had one day an [sic] half as holiday. We all rejoiced in it much, you well might suppose, and study much the better do you not think we could?
How was it a[t] your Sem., did you proceed the same as usual, or did you have a real jubilee? My studies are this term "English Literature", Elocution and Music. And most busy am I all the time. There is one thing that I do wish I might find time for, and that is to read. Will that privilege ever be granted to a school girl? Ah no! the school girl lives in another existence and knows not much of the tumult of the busy, surging world.
Our term is already more than one third past. How fast the weeks glide away, when one is studying, they roll silently away.
I am most pleasantly situated this term, and am very happy here, & shall be almost sorry when the term is out.
My roommate is talking to me all the time I am writing, and you will please excuse me, if this is not very interesting will you? Dora, you do not know how much I have missed your loving letters, you are indeed to[o] bad, not to write, you[r] loving friend any oftener.
It is storming most wonderfully, and I trust we shall have sleighing, for as yet we have had none.
Most of us are quite anxious, that the pond should freeze over so that we can skate. We can skate instead of walking, if we like, and most of us are most willing to do it. Give my love to Jessie, and tell her that I shall write her soon. Please write me very soon, and tell me all about yourself and your studies. The bell is
wringing for study hour, so I must bid you good bye. Please write soon to your loving friendClara.