Mt. Holyoke College.
Nov. 26, 1904.
Dear Mary:I hope you have received my postal by this time, and know that I arrived safely. I suppose I had better write all about it, in case you haven't already received it. Well after Mamma left me I had the seat all to myself as far as Hollis I guess. Then a lady came an[d] sat with me. She got out at Ayer. We waited twenty minutes there for lunch. I also ate part of mine there, but you gave such a generous one there is still some left. May Stone from Lowell didn't get on the train there. I don't know when she did come back. I studied some, but it wasn't very easy studying German on the train so I didn't do much. While I was waiting at Oakdale Minnie and Katie Melvin came from South Hadley and took a train for Nashua about five minutes after. Minnie had on a green suit and black hat. She looked the same as ever, perhaps a little more stylish and dignified.
I waited from twenty minutes of two till seven minutes past three at Oakdale, just the same as Auntie and I had to. There isn't any thing very lively about the place, pretty nearly as bad as Windham. Well the train for Amherst was quite full so I sat with a girl, who I thought from what she was saying to a girl in front was going to Smith. She was reading a novel most of the time. I studied German a little.
We arrived in Amherst a few minutes past five, so it was dark. I waited about a half hour. There were two other girls also for the college, so it wasn't lonesome waiting. As we were going for the car I asked one of them if she wasn't one of the college girls and I found out she was Edith Hagerman, from Chelmsford, who knows Winn will. Her sister Ethel was in his class. Did she give an essay[?] She was very nice and invited me to call on her. She also knew Marian Richardson and Evva[?] Briggs of Pelham. She started early that morning from Lowell and her trains were late so she missed her afternoon recitations and hadn't been able to get along till then. The Boston trains are more liable to be late and not connect properly than the others, so they say.
We arrived at the hall about twenty minutes past six. So I went and got my key and took my things off and went out to dinner. They had just begun, so I was in good season. We had some kind of fresh fish and creamed gravy which was very good, and tomato potato and brown Betty for desert [sic]. After dinner I went in and unpacked my things[.] They came all right and I have had a piece of cake this afternoon. It is very nice, "if I do say so." The fudge is delicious. Mary came in and Edith Damon, and Helen Smith just for a minute. Mary thought my furs were splendid[.] (so do I!) Inez came about nine[.] She had a fine time in Boston[.] She heard Ada Rehan in "The Country Girl" in the Majestic Theatre. Wasn't that the one you and Helen were talking about when I was home? I told her Helen heard "The Shepherd King" and she said her sister heard it and thought it was the best play she ever heard. She also heard "Ben Hur" when that was in Boston.
I hope you will excuse this paper, for you see my writing paper doesn't fit the envelope Auntie gave me. I feel ever so much rested for my little vacation, though I was sleepy last evening and didn't study much, but I went through my Latin and Inez and I did some German this morning. I didn't get up till five minutes past six, for I wanted my vacation to last as long as possible[.] To-morrow I am going to write to Mother Merriam. I put on my slippers this afternoon when I went to take a bath. They are very convenient. I found I hadn't a pair of stockings mended so I had to sit down and mend some before I could dress. I payed [sic] for my Holyoke pin this afternoon. There is skating on the lake and a good many of the girls went out. They won't let the girls go till they are sure it is perfectly safe. Probably they will be out this evening, as it is so pleasant. Helen Smith is comming [sic] in to read to us.
I had gym. this afternoon. I think I will (close I was going to say) but I have something else to write. Marion Richardson has just been in[.] She did go to Amherst to his aunts for Thanksgiving and she is going to be here over Sunday so I hope to see her again tomorrow. She just enjoys her school. She teaches one class in Greek, one in Latin[,] Plane Geometry and Soph. English. It is a high school of about four hundred. She said her aunt, who is the trained nurse and the other one are going abroad with the young Mr. Rockefeller's family. She has been taking care of a baby in that family for a year, so they invited her to go with them. Isn't that swell? Marion said she has nursed in the Vande[r]bilt family also. I asked her what Mr. Buck's business was, and she said he used to be superintendant of schools, but she thought he hasn't any now, for he is getting along in years somewhat. I found out what four hour condition is. It means that you would have to take an examination in one of your four hour studies, which wouldn't be nice at all.
(Sunday.) Marion was at my table this noon, so Miss Crowther asked me to sit side of her, which was very nice. She has a great many calls to make and she has to leave at four so I shan't see her again I suppose. She doesn't know whether she will go home at Christmas or not as she has had a very urgent invitation to go to New York, but she thought she would go home. She doesn't have such a long time as Shane. She has only ten days and I have sixteen, I have looked it up and counted them. Helen Smith is going home on that same train, and I don't see why I couldn't also. It wouldn't be any darker at Oakdale than it was before and it won't make any difference in the train, if it is dark. I should like to come Tuesday afternoon instead of waiting till Wednesday morning with nothing to do. If it doesn't make any difference to you about meeting me. I don't want to loose [sic] a day of my vacation you see.
Inez didn't get up to go out to breakfast this morning, so I gave her some chicken and a cookie and an apple and she went and had breakfast with Helen Smith. I gave Marion some of Helen's fudge and she thought it very nice. I am going out to make some calls and see Marion off on the car so I will close this letter now with best love to every one, Your little girl, and sister, Carrie.
P.S. 1. I have written to Mrs. Merriam.
P.S. 2. I saw Marion off. She gets to Middletown about 8:00 this evening. She looks very well and happy, and had a very happy Thanksgiving. Love, Carrie.