41 John Street
Springfield, Mass
May 15, 1898.My dear Mother:-
Be sure that Mamie tells Hattie about the sash. Do the box up in a good looking bundle and strong so that Lizzie can check it. See if that little white worsted hood is in my lower drawer. If it is put it in the box. And also my College diploma that is in the same drawer. Its [sic] the one tied with blue. The diploma of '96 were never probably stamped with the College seal and we are going to try and do something about it this Spring. Then I'd like you to put in one good corset cover if there's one there and there is I know. I don't believe there's anything else I need. But in your letter this week I want you to send me a piece of black brilliantine four or five inches square. O[r] maybe not quite so big. There's a long tare [sic] in the back of my waist. How it came there I haven't the remotest idea but its [sic] there - If there werent [sic] any pieces of this left see if Mamie hasn't some pieces left of hers. If not send some of that black alpaca you use for everything.
Yesterday I went on another geological expedition and I had the best time I've had in a long time. We took the cars up to South Hadley and from there walked up to the Gorge to new certain geological phenomena. It is an old familiar haunt of the College girls and I was able to give the leader some valuable information about the wood's roads &c. We came out to Titan's Pier and then most of the party went home being quite exhausted but a few of us went a little way up the mountain to see other things. I thought I had done a moderate amount of climbing before but never did I do anything to equal this. We never could have gone without men. It was more fun than a little to see one of the party who is rather round and plump pushed and hauled by one of the men. But none of [them] did slide down the mountain side and we saw some interesting things. It was such a glorious day one couldn't help enjoying out-doors and the odor of the apple-blossoms was heavy. I went back up to South Hadley afterwards and brought down one of the girls to rest here over Sunday. Its [sic] 12.30 now and she is just getting up. She has slept like a long all the morning. I am glad she can have the rest. We didn't go to church but have been indulging in a Sunday paper.
[unsigned but written by Nellie Swift]