A Letter written on Dec 24, 1905

Tougaloo, Dec. 24, 1905.

Dear family,

I wish you a Happy New Year, and hope you are having a Merry Christmas. We are all feeling gay just on account of the weather. Who wouldn't after thirteen days of cloud and rain? It is bright, but cold, that is, 32°. Miss Schlotzer has come down from the Le Moyne school at Memphis to spend her vacation (we have none except just the day tomorrow) and she thinks it is much more summer-like here than two hundred miles farther north. Most of the students are here, as only those living at Jackson or other places close by could go home, so Mrs. Hamlin is having a chance with Christmas music. How I would like to have pack the full chorus into our little church and have them sing Handel's Hallelujah Chorus as they did this morning, or "Comfort ye my people" from the same oratorio. We have a new hymn-book for use in chapel, prayer-meeting, etc. one not quite so difficult as the church hymnal. Students and teachers are buying them, and Dr. Woodworth preached about hymns and hymn writers this evening. The book is Hymns, of Worship and Service published by the Century company.

I had a letter from Grace Lord last night, which would have surprised me very much had I not ceased to be surprised by anything she could do or say. She is now touring Idaho, California and Utah with a vaudeville company; they are progressing towards the East and when she reaches New York she means to join a stock company. I am going to write her soon some grandmotherly advice. It takes all sorts of people to make up an A.M.A. school as well as a world.

I am enclosing a check for thirty-five dollars to deposit at Southbridge. [no longer with the letter] I am afraid to send any more by way of North Ashford to reach you vio [sic] school-children, so I wish you would send my Putnam bank book to Harvey so I can send my deposits there.

Am also sending a postal or two for Ruth's album. [no longer with the letter] Grace and Clarence have hung up their stockings tonight, and went to bed early. We are going to have a little tree tomorrow morning - just for Stone, and after dinner the teachers are invited to Dr. Woodworth's, and there is a social at night for the students.

Happy New Year
Susie.