[Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading. Very badly faded and hard to read.]Wash. Fem. Sem.
Feb 9th, 1878.Mrs. Maggie Robbins.
Dear Mother,
I received your good letter some time ago, intended answering it sooner but have not had time, and have been kept as busy as I would be ever since I came back after Christmas.
Our new Session began last week, it seems like an age, instead of a week. I passed all mt old studies on the following works. History of Rome, 100. Physiology, 99. Chemistry 94. Algebra 95 & Composition 97. My new studies for the session are Astronomy, Geometry, Philosophy, History of England & Composition & Spelling & [...] writing.
I received Pa's letter to day was very glad to receive it; he asked something about my being behind in my classes, I think he misunderstood my last letter, I meant we had not yet started. The first week I got sick, but the next week I made it up. In my final examination I did not stand just in my class but I stood among the best, this is just my last examination average. I tried [to] get my term Grade in each of my studies as Pa expressed his wish to see them, but I could not the teacher had not got them all made out yet, but will send them home if I can get them in my next letter.
I like my new studies very much, think they make Astronomy very hard, that is we can not make every application of it, I can learn all that is in [the] book, but we cant get out in the evening to look out [at] the constellations. About paying 25 cts for getting a teacher to take you up street it is rather [unjustible?] dont care for myself as I dont find it necessary to go up street very often.
There was a grand concert in Town Hall last week Mrs S took us, Miss Jean Wallace of P.M. sang, I think she is [a] grand singer. And there is to be another one Friday night given by the Abbot Company they are first class musicians and they say Miss Abbot is a grand singer. These concerts are pretty hard on the pocket money but they are so grand, I would rather do without something else and yet I wish you and Pa were here first. Pa said he thought he would come out to contest have him come by all means we will be so glad to have him.
Edd [her brother] was up last night for his cushion I broke it for him but he got his chair much work
Tell Chilli [her sister] I'll send her basket with Pa when he comes.
All my love &cc
Write soon we are always glad to hear from youTell Pa not to be discouraged I have caught up to my classes & answer his letter soon as I have time.
[Part of a letter from Edd was enclosed in the envelope; it is labelled page 5. By contrast, this letter had not faded at all.]
contain a full account I will send you one. Cremation is'nt [sic] so terrible I think it is destin [sic] to be common in a 100 years. Miss Abbot the world renowned singer was here at the time went up looked through the spy hole in the door saw the dust of what a few moments before had been a woman was emphatuated, determined to be cremated, and here if noplace [sic] else is conveinant [sic]; thus the doctrine increases. There are several articles I must get this term; a valis; [sic] and a pair of pants, to do this I will have to get some more money I will write and tell you how much when necessary. I think my expenses, not including clothes, will not exceed $300 this year.
The N.Y. Tribune offers an Unabridged Dictionary (Webster) and the Weekly Tribune for 5 years for $10 or the Semiweekly & Dic same time for $15. The McCormicks have it and it is the latest edition and best calf binding, worth the money its self. I need such a Dictionary and have no objections to the paper so consider the matter and let me know what you think of it. Sister and I are both well, I wish you could come over to contest hoping to hear from you soon I close with love to all
Your aff son,
E. E. Robbins