Dearest Carrie:-I have just passed a very pleasant week that is I have attended two concerts, which is an unusual experience for me.The first was in Nashua by "Sousa and his Band" - as it is called. We all went to it that is all but George and Helen who were in school. As it was a brass band Pap expected to like it very much[.]
I enjoyed it quite well, but was not so much carried away with it as I am usually with music. To begin with it was in a theater, which was both too small and too low posted so the music was shut up and we were so unfortunate as to have front seats which made it much too loud. THey played two classic pieces which were the best in my opinion Overture, "Oberon" by Weber suggesting fairies and the horn of "Puck" and the mystery and daintiness supposed to belong to fairyland. It was fine, Also "The Ride of the Valkyries" from Wagner's "Die Walknue" That was wonderfully deceptive of the wild ride of those strange maidens flying through the air on fiery chargers send [sic] by the gods to every[?] fallen heroes from
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Now I come to the most important subject in this letter, perhaps. You know the question of Chester's Junior Prom has occupied my attention and troubled my mind a little whenever I have thought of it. Well let me tell you how it has come out, for I always thought that it was quite possible that I might have the honor of an invitation and it seems he thought so too. Well, I received a letter from Chester - to make a long story short as they say - about two weeks ago, a fine long one as was very suitable after making me wait so long for it. Well along the last of it after mentioning that he wished that I was not so far away so that I could help him on his French translation, he said that he was pleased to hear of Mt. Holyoke's "Prom"[.] For I gave him quite a lively account of the affair, 1st because I thought that it was good interesting material to [spill?] on, which he would like to hear about and 2nd I am afraid I rather wanted to bring up the subject of Proms. So after saying that he was pleased to hear of it he said that this year it was his class that gave the affair and that it didn't come "until next month when this north country is in its most charming mood" Then listen to what he went on to say [...] that he should not invite any girl to be his guest. You can imagine [I] was pleased rather than otherwise to hear that for I had come to the wise conclusion that I couldn't go naturally and a refusal on my part joined to the knowledge that some other girl was enjoying it all would have elements of sorrow in it. Then he went on to explain to me why he was intending to [...] some young lady off from this great pleasure He said this was "the sick man's affair the ordinary person [...] it from the side lines - that is taking a figure from football you see quite suitable for a collegian - also "To have visitors in Hanover for Junior week" - just notice now and see if you are not surprised, mind you a whole week he said - "means laying down a cool hundred. You know that is enough to strap any body but a wealthy student." He also said "I was talking with a fellow who invited a Mt. Holyoke girl up, and the faculty refused, even tho she had her parents permission. That is worse for a college than even the rules of old P. A. were, they could be broken so easily."
Quoted from M. M. S. not memory Wasn't that cold for the teachers at Holyoke to prevent her going It must be that her rank was so poor that they thought she couldn't take the time or they objected to the fellow or something of the kind I guess.
Well I was disgusted. How foolish to entertain a young lady for a week at the tune of $100.00 I should think that was abusing the custom.
Now don't you think he thought that I might consider myself a candidate for the honor, seeing that he took the plains [sic] to explain so minutely why he didn't celebrate, etc at least I consider it a delicate subject and at first I was a little effected by such plain explinations [sic] and so I shall not let on anything about what I thought present past or future on it. But I know that he will naturally feel a little dissapointed [sic] and sore on the subject, so I thought perhaps it would rather please him to have me send him a little box of candy during Junior week - a sort of surprise from his friend you know. Now this is for you I want you to be sure and find out when Junior week comes off at Dartmouth for I have no way of finding out for sure.
I received a letter from Pettee and in it she said that Ada had the class letter now and has kept it for three months and she thought she must be waiting until a certain event came off[.] Don't you think that is very odd taste? She also said that they are beginning to talk about the reunion for July 4th but I suppose you will get more direct news and even be consulted from headquarters. I think July 4th is as good a date as any don't you[?] For I think there is a certain excitement in traveling that day as there is more going on than usual and all that adds to the interest of the occasion. I have also also [sic] heard that Bessie Bradford is engaged to her George[.] How very silly!!! How soon will the baby take her dolls and become his housekeeper. I guess it is so for Marion Stevens said it was all around Derry[.] He is quite well known[.] Now do find out if you can - that is without too much bother about the "Prom" I think it is the last week in May but I would like to be sure. I thought you could find out from some of the girls who have been there or have friends there, or you would hear about anyone who was intending to be there this year for colleges know about each others affairs anway [sic]. I want to know in season to make it some Wednesday and take it to Lowell with me Thursday[.] Chester also said that Cross was going to Boston learning wireless telegraply [sic] and added that "somebody in our class may become famous yet, who knows" I think there is no danger. I should think Cross would need a dozen wires, several right through his head rather than none wouldn't you? Won't he write a small class letter tho?