5001 Lake Avenue
Chicago, Ill.
March 26 - 1886
Mr. Joseph Robbins
Dear Father
I was very much pleased upon receiving your letter Monday, saying you had selected and bought a watch for me. I was growing a little anxious about [it], as it did not come until last night. I think the chain is pretty and the watch also, though I think you paid an immence price for it. I think it is a very elegant watch, but I would rather have a case that was frosted and not enameled as the enamelling cracks and peels off, and of course I expect to carry this watch all my life.
I thank you for your kindness in selecting and getting it for me, and I shall enjoy using it and carrying it because you choose [sic] it for me. It will save me many steps and much time every day.
Now Father dear, don't think I am ungrateful to you, because I appreciate your kindness and good judgement, and I have told you frankly what I think about it, had I chosen such an expensive article for anyone else I would want them to tell me just what they tho't of it, so I hope you will understand me.
I will devote the coming vacation to sewing and getting spring wardrobe fixed up. It is necessary for me to dress well here and makes my expenses very high. I have received no money from Mrs Starret nor do I expect to until June. I will have to get a new spring dress and hat, and some other spring clothing, and I will need fifty dollars more besides what I have to meet my expenses.
I feel as if I could not afford to keep this position longer than this year[.] What do [you] think about it. I would at once apply for some other place did I not fear I would never get my money out of the School.
When you wrote me about settling up with Edd [her older brother] & myself you said there was four thousand dollars in bank account for me. There is a lot fifty feet front, next door to Mrs Starrett's that is for sale, it lies between two hansome [sic] houses, and is immediately adjoining the depot. It is offered for $60 per foot while all other lots about are selling for $100 per ft. The reason it is for sale is the owner needs money for his business and can not afford to hold it.
Kenwood the part of Chicago in which this lot lies is the wealthiest and most aristocratic suburb of Chicago and real estate is bound to come up[.] I could lose nothing on it but would have to pay taxes on it. Of course I would have to hold it for several years before I would get much of an increase on it. What do you think. Do you think it better to get a low sure percent. Edd saw the lot when he was out here and knows something of the location and value of it! I want to do that which is best. I expect to spend my life earning my living, and if my health should fail I want something [to] depend upon.
You ask if this is a boarding house, and school combined - it is. We only have six scholars who board in the building, the rest of the pupils numbering about thirty are all day pupils. The house is large and expnses are great and that we may live Mrs S. keeps three boarders but only the wealthy need apply. We charge extra for superior social advantages. All boarders cannot boast a hostess who is an author and a host who is a cultured gentleman of leisure, a sort of "dilitante" [sic] and two ladies, to enertain them and play cards with them in the evening who are graduates of Mt Holyoke - these are the things that are weighed in the ballance [sic] and not found wanting.
Father dear I thank you for your trouble and kindness in getting me that watch I feel very proud of it.
Lovingly and gratefully your daughter Gertrude
With loving tho'ts to you all.