Mansfield, Mass.
Nov. 5. 1899.
Dear family,
Mary's postal came Saturday morning, and I was very glad to hear of father's continued improvement, for I had heard nothing for a whole week. You must be busy. I am too, this last week has just flown. It was the middle week of the term, and I gave two of my midterm examinations, in Geometry and Arithmetic. Yesterday I looked them over. The marks run from 25 to 99.5, only a few tho' below our passing mark 70[.] I shall give those few a chance to take it over again in about a week. One girl has been dropped from the Geometry class, much to my joy. She has not done anything in any of her four subjects this term, so we decided to have her drop one and see if she could carry the three. I was very glad that Geometry was the dropped one.
Next week I shall give the other four exams.
My review Algebra class has been reduced to a single member this week, because Charles Fitts was hurt playing football. One boy broke his wrist early in the term, but still they play with all their might. Yesterday afternoon they played with the Stoughton High School.
Among other things yesterday I washed my hair, quite a task, you know, went to ride with Mrs. Packard to East Mansfield, and bought a pair of Queen Quality shoes. I am going to wear them only Sundays. They feel and look very well.
Miss Copeland has returned from a visit to Mt. Holyoke. She brought me the Mt Holyoke. I see that two Brimfield girls, Julia Hitchcock and Mabel Brown are there, also a Southbridge girl, Lucy Reed, and a Putnam girl, Marion Bassett, as well as Ruth Walker and Ruby Sanborn. There have been a good many changes in the faculty. Miss Anne Young, niece of our friend Prof. Young, has charge of the Astronomy. They seem to think she is mostly name, and does not live up to her uncle's reputation. Dish-washing has been abolished - by that do not understand that the dishes are never washed, but the girls no longer do them.
I took tea with the Copeland's Friday night, and so heard all the college gossip. There are more fine lectures and musicales than ever.
I had a letter a few days ago from Lilian Booth, who is still at Rutland; she spent a few days in October at home, getting her winter clothes ready, so she may stay there all winter. Miner is working in a chair factory at Gardiner, so Mr. and Mrs. Booth are all alone. Mr. went to the G. A. R. encampment at Philadelphia and Mrs. and Miner to the C. E. State Convention at Springfield.
I wrote to Miss Hopkinson last night, and am going to send her today's church program instead of sending it to you. Mr. Swartz's father preached today. He is not quite so lively as his sone but more spiritual. I have just returned from evening meeting, where I found a program for you.
We have lunch Sunday night after we get home from church. Now I am going to bed.
With love,
Susie.
