Barlett, Ripon, Wis.
Jan. 13, ’22 (Fri. eve)
Dearest Mamma and Papa,
This has been another very, very busy weak [sic]—one of the most busy I have ever spent. I’ll begin where I left off Sunday afternoon.
I think I told you about going to hear Mr. Sheyhill speak Sunday P.M. Well, he was late to his lecture, so he gave his best talk free in the Congo church in the evening. It was the story of a part of the war and was the most vividly horrible thing I have ever heard. I’ll send you the days with the account of it in.
Monday night was out regular C.T.G. meeting. It was guest night so I asked Sidnie to go with me. She joined the circle. It was Mrs. Wilson’s last night among us, and we were all sorry because of it. Mrs. Fehlandt is to be the next leader. She is a very fine woman, but lacks the magnetic personality that Mrs. Wilson had and which helped her so much with the girls.
Tuesday night I actually went over to the library and did a great deal of studying.
The next night was the farewell party of the Congo church to Rev. and Mrs.Wilson given by the church, Bartlett (Mrs. Wilson was “house mother”) and C.E. (Mr. Wilson always helped with that.) I had a nice time, and [sic]
Thurs. is my hard day, and I was on the jump from seven in the morning ‘till eleven at night. I had five hrs. in the class room, two hrs. of study, a gym lecture from 4:15 to 5:15 and a committee meeting from 5:15 to six. After supper I went to the 4th no. of the artists course by Hans Kindler (cellist) and Murle Alcott a world known contralto. They were wonderful.
Today, I have been quite busy, too. I have been trying frantically to write you this letter all the evening, but I’ve had one caller after another. Even now one of the girls is in my room, but I am writing anyway, although rather disconnectedly.
You know Mary is chairman of the missionary committee. Wednesday afternoon the traveling secretary for the Student Volunteer movement came to Ripon. She spoke at Y.W. Wed. P.M. and at Chapel Thurs. morn. As Mary is chairman of the missionary committee, Miss Segsworth had to stay in our room while she was here, as the Y.W. couldn’t afford to send her to a hotel. She went away this morn. While she was here Mary slept up stairs and she slept in Mary’s bed. I was terribly busy Wed. and Turs. and was gone both evenings so I didn’t see much of her, but she seemed to be a very sweet little thing.
I went to the Dr. again Thur. and he said he thought I was ride of the itch proppe and that it was only the after effect inflamation [sic] that remained. I have to put sweet cider vinegar on now and I never had anything smart so hard in all my life. My leg is one immense sore, but it is healing over and will be O.K. soon. You’d better boil the clothes good to get rid of the germs.
Lots of love in haste,
Pearl.
P.S. Thanks for the eats. They’ll come in good tomorrow (Sun.) morn. if I don’t get up to breakfast.
Bartlett, Ripon, Wisconsin.
Jan. 29, 1922
Dearest Mamma and Papa,
I haven’t time to write a real letter, but I’ll write a few lines anyway. Of course, I have been very busy, but I haven’t overworked and I’m nearly caught up again. I have about ten pages of my “Bees” essay done which is more than half of it. Things weren’t so bad as I expected.
My skin is really a great deal better. It doesn’t itch much any more, and I guess that when it does itch, it is more from habit that anything else. I keep on applying the lotion anyway. I don’t think I’ll need any more. If I do I’ll let you know. I didn’t have my clothes fumigated.
Prexy’s talk was fine. His subject was “The Breadth of Christianity.” He is going to preach in the Congo church every Sunday now. I went to hear him this morning. His thought was that we are all different. The world is made up of individuals. Mr. Graham spoke on the old kind of religion which taught of the fear of the Devil and Hell. It was quite humorous, but to the subject was effectively handled as usual.
Thurs. evening is another number of the Artists’ Course, Mr. Marshall, a dramatic singer. Course, I’ve got to hear that.
I studied over at the library for six hours yesterday. Then at four o’clock four of us girls went hicking [sic]. We walked quite a long ways, rode on sleighs and had an unusually good time. We got back just in time for supper, having a healthy appetite.
When I got back from home, the first things I noticed upon entering the room was a beautiful cyclamen having on it about fifteen flowers. Carl had given it to Mary. It’s quite an addition to our room.
Last night I didn’t feel like studying. There was so much music around here that I couldn’t have if I had wanted to. So, I got “Helen of the Old House” and continuing from where we left off, I finished it at eleven o’clock. It was pretty good, but I have read better books.
I must close now, and get busy. It’s a relief to know that everything is O.K. at home.
Oceans of love,
Pearl.
Thank you for the paper and little cakes. I didn’t get up for breakfast this morning so we ate them.
Thursday evening 2/23/22
Dearest Mamma and Papa,
I am writing to you by candle light, as all the electric wires are broken.
We had the worst storm of its kind here yesterday that has ever been known. It rained all night, night before last and all day yesterday. The temperature was at the critical point that enabled it to rain and still freeze the rain as soon as it touched the earth. In that manner, the trees became completely iced over. Ice cycles [sic] six inches long formed on the telephone wires as close together as they could stick until there was a beautiful silver fringe on all the wires in the city making a beautiful picture. But, the ice was so heavy on the wires that a half of the posts broke down, and now there is a regular wire entanglement all over the city. In consequence, the telephones, telegraphs and electric lights are not working. Prexy says that as far as the telephones are concerned, we aught to be glad that we aren’t pestered with the things, and, as far as the lights are concerned—“just think of the extra sleep you are getting!” The telegraphs don’t opporate [sic] so the trains dare not run. No one realizes the dependence one puts on electricity until all of the conveniences are taken away.
But, all of this isn’t the worst of it, for the campus is ruined, all of the beautiful elms being destroyed. All there is left of most of them is a bare stalk. The fir, and oak trees are injured too, but not to the same extent as the elms. The trees keep crashing to the ground constantly for two nights and a day. I got so nervous listening to them that I didn’t know what to do. It was especially nerve wracking, for there was no school. It seems terrible that the things which it takes nature a century to build, should be destroyed in a day! It is a beautiful world with two or three inches of ice surrounding each twig and millions of ice cycles [sic] glistening rainbow colors in the sun, but there is sadness about the ruins that the present beauty cannot overcome.
I am worrying for fear our maples are suffering from the same ice storm. I do hope that the storm did not reach you. One or two degrees difference in either direction would have prevented the calamity. I hate to things of the appearance of the world after the ice melts, and only the bare broken branches are left.
It seemed queer to have only candle light. I don’t study at night because it isn’t light enough, so I went to bed at 7:30 last night and am going almost as soon tonight. We probably won’t have lights or phones again for quite a while because the wires are broken and lie under the broken branches and trees. We were to have an intercollegiate debate here tonight, but the team can’t get here. The tournament (basket ball) is rather a failure. We’ll probably have school tomorrow P.M. after all.
I went up town to look at kimono cloth Mon. night. There is nothing pretty here except one piece a yd. wide which costs $1.45 a yd. I am sending you a sample. It has in it pink butterflies, foliage, and black spider’s web. It is very pretty, but I don’t believe we should pay so much for one as it will have quite hard wear. You had better send to Gladys unless you are going to Oshkosh soon. The crepe piece here weren’t at all pretty.
I’ll write more when I have a better light. I wrote to Edith yesterday.
Lovingly yours,
Pearl.
Mon. 2/27/22
Dearest Mom + Pap;
I am still wondering about our maples. I hope they are all right. We have gone back 50 yrs. in one day. No electric conveniences. Carl brought a lamp over to Mary, so we are better off than the rest of the girls who have to use candles they say we won’t have electricity for three weeks as over 6000 poles are down. I hiked out to South Wood Fri. P.M. with one of the girls. It is a beautiful sight, but it is awful, too, for all of the trees are damaged and most of them ruined. I wore Henry Jones’ military trousers (all of the girls wear them on hikes) it’s a good thing I had them or I would not have been able to get through.
There was a joint Y.M. + Y.W. meeting yesterday P.M. the occasion was the international day of prayer there was a very interesting meeting.
Spring vacation is in three weeks, so I probably won’t come home until that time. It is before Easter. We will have the quarter exams before I come. Nothing has been going on because there are no lights. I’ll send my laundry. Don’t know when you’ll get it.
Love,
Pearl
I wrote to Elva yesterday.
Sunday morning, 3/5/22
Dearest Mamma,
I’ll begin this letter before Sunday school and will finish it some other time.
Yes, I received my box containing my little brown dress. I have the dress on now and it looks much better. I also received the box of marguerittes [sic] which were delicious. The girls who were here to taste them say you, Mamma, are a wonderful cook. Thank you for sending them.
I kept my laundry in order that I might send this week’s along with last week’s to save making two packages. I sent my blue silk dress home. The hem needs turning up the width of the present hem, but if you turn it up a trifle more than that it won’t be any shorter than my other dresses.
Did I ever send home a man’s hankerchief [sic] to be washed? I borrowed one of Pilger’s once when I had forgotten one of my own, and I can’t remember what I did with it. It was quite a coarse—I think more so than any of Papa’s hankerchiefs [sic]. If you find it at home, you might send it sometime—there is no hurry; but if it doesn’t happen to be there, I must have put it away somewhere down here.
The spring vacation begins on the 25th of March, and I guess it lasts for ten days. I probably won’t come home until then, for I will need to stay here to study for the quarter finals.
I went for a long walk with Martha yesterday out into the country to call on one of her friends who is going to move to Minnesota this week. She has a cute little girl about a year old with whom we had a lot of fun.
I was over to Pilger’s to supper Wednesday evening. Had a fine meal of home made things that tasted good to me. It seems good even to step inside of a home, for although Bartlett is very cozy and extremely convenient, it isn’t a real home. It is only the room where I sleep and spend my lounging hours.
There is a girl in my Latin class whom I like very much, by the name of Frona Walter. She is somewhat of my build, but she is very dark having black hair and pretty dark brown eyes. I have been over to her room several times—(she does light housekeeping with two other girls in a private home)—and I have had quite a few walks with her. She has a very sweet personality, fine morals and excellent character; but, like most of the rest of my friends, she is a Senior, so I’ll have to make the best of our friendship while it lasts.
I think the girls glee club is to be in Wild Rose sometime. Ignaty Hansen is a member, so if she comes to Rosy Town while I’m home we’ll have to try to have her out. I would like to show all of the Bartlett girls a good time while they are there, but there are so many of them that it will be impossible.
Glorious! The electric lights came on last night at supper time. It seems so good to have them back that we hardly know what to do. It is queer how little we appreciate things until we are deprived of them. We also have the other electric conveniences, such as telephone, town clock, buzzers, gongs, chimes, door bells, and pipe organ—and electric curlers which are very essential to the bobbed hairs.
The ice is almost entirely off of the trees for it is typical spring weather out of doors. It is very slushy because of the melted snow and ice.
Mr. Graham gave a fine talk on “individuality” today in Sunday school. He says that the purpose of college is not to give us information, not to give us a means to make a living, not to put us into society—it is to make us capable of thinking for ourselves—to give us individuality. He says that he is never happier than when one of his students gets up and contradicts him, for he realizes that the student has developed individuality.
We haven’t had anything to go to, because there has been no lights, but we are going to have quite a little variation this week. We are to have C.E. tonight, the topic being “Better Homes.” Tuesday night there is a meeting of the Christian Service Club, which is composed of some of the nicest students in school. I’ll go to the meeting with Mary, and if I like it I’ll probably join. After that meeting I’ll probably go to the gymn [sic] to see a basket ball game between Ripon and Lawrence. Wednesday night is the last of the series of Dr. Evans’ comunity [sic] talks. I’ll go to that if I have time. Thursday night a famous lady singer is coming to town. Maybe I’ll hear her. A week from tomorrow night there is C.T.G. meeting. I have to give a topic, so of course I’ll be present.
I didn’t study one night this week, partly because the lights weren’t good, and partly because there wasn’t much of anything to do. Professor Boody has been sick all the week so we didn’t have any public speaking class. In consequence, I had time to get all of my lessons during the day time.
Wednesday for English comp. we are going to have a spell down for the spelling and meaning of 100 words that she dictated to us. They are taken from words we had to hand in every weeks that we had acquired during the week. Every Friday we have to hand in 2 words that we have added to our vocabulary during the week with their meaning and a sentence in which they are used.
I had to write a 500 words theme on the storm for English. It was only about the beauty, awe, and personal impression of it. I haven’t gotten it back yet, so I don’t know my mark on it.
Latin isn’t quite so hard as it was, but I dread the final just the same. However, he will probably be easy on us, realizing that he would flunk us all if he wasn’t.
The girl who leads C.E. tonight was just in to ask me to give a little talk tonight, as I’m going to tell about a happy home that I know of and give the cause of the happiness that home is our home and the secret of the happiness is the love that each member holds for the others. Of course, I won’t tell them whose home it is, but some of them will probably guess.
Well, I must really close now and get busy at something else.
Lovingly,
Pearl.
P.S. In chemistry they weighed a twig of a vine and found that it was supporting 10 ½ times its own weight in ice.
I got a letter from Gladys this week. She is well, and told me to tell you that she would write soon. I wrote her a letter yesterday.
“Prexy” gave a fine sermon in church this morning.
Sunday evening Mar. 11, ‘22
Dearest Mamma + Papa;
I just returned from C.E. and will steal a few minutes to write to you.
Last week was quite a busy one, for there were a good many college functions to attend. I managed to get through the week without studying at night for Prof. Boody is still ill.
I’ll begin where the “Days” left off. On Wednesday evening I went to hear Prexy’s lecture, which was the concluding one of the series, on the “Sermon on the Mount.” It was fine – I believe the best one of the series. He dwelled upon especially, “Judge not that ye be not judged. One of his interpretations were [sic] that we are judged by other people by the judgments we make. If we make an unfair judgment of a person, the person is not changed, but we are judged by the kind of judgment we use. Prexy is a wonderful man.
After the lecture, I went to three free plays given by the dramaturgy class. They were fine.
You know for English we have been adding two words to our vocabulary a week, and each student handed in the two words which he had learned. Miss Finch took 100 words out of those that had been handed in and gave them to us all to learn. On Wednesday we had a spell-down on them for spelling and meaning. (We had 3 spelldowns) In the first one I went down on the first word I had – a lot of them did. The second time I stood up longer than anyone else, and the third time I was one of the four who were still standing when the bell rang. (I really can learn words if I have to.) – so I suppose it’s up to me to do it.
On Thursday evening, I went to hear Torchiana sing. She was very good but I have heard better.
Friday night there was a debate, but I didn’t go. I remained at home and visited with some of the girls.
On Saturday I studied from eight o’clock until 4:30. Then Martha and a [sic] went up town, and I got your silk. Do you want me to get some mats? I got a little from May thanking me for the ones I sent her. After supper I went over to Pilger’s. Mrs. Pilger, who is a fine pianist, played several classics for me, then Martha and I walked until 9:30. It was a warm, moonlit, spring night and we enjoyed the walk very much.
I went to Sunday school this morning and Mr. Graham talked on “Spring.” He painted a very vivid picture for us. He said that the spirit of spring is the spirit of dreaming and achievement, and that it was that spirit that lead the pilgrim youths to set out for America and press on to the Western coast – they dared to say, “Good-bye” to old thins that they might seek better things.
This afternoon was Vespers. A man, who works among boys in making them better morally and in strengthening their ideals, spoke to us of his work. He was an extremely clever speaker, and the methods he used to test and control boys were very interesting.
I went to C.E. tonight, the topic being “Habits.” It was a peppy meeting. We lost in the contest, so we’ll have to give a treat to the other side sometime soon.
C.T.G. meeting is tomorrow night. I have to speak on “Planters Extraordinary.”
I got the laundry and the box of doughnuts and cookies. The eats were fine. Thank you! The dress is the right length.
I have to study now, so I’ll say “nighty-night” with love and kisses.
Pearl
Friday eve Mar. 17, 1922
Dearest Mamma and Papa in all the world;
Yes, I am twenty years old today, but really am only one day older than I was last night. I got the lovely box of things this morning, and I was extremely pleased with everything. The little nighty is just darling! I think it is so much cuter than the blue one you made for Lula. The kimona [sic] is a perfect fit – length and all, and I like the cloth and pleating very much. Wasn’t the little teddie Blanche made too dear for words? Call her up and thank her for me, will you please? I’ll write you just ever’ never so much! The girls just rave about all my presents. Ethel J. sent me a cute little fudge apron made of unbleached muslin with a pink piece at the top and bottom embroidered with little daisies. The shape in something like this: (drawing of the item). I’ll bring it home when I come, so that you can see it. I certainly faired well, and everything will be very useful. I got a lot of cards, too. One from Marjorie and Elizabeth, Evelyn Jenks, Evelyn Anderson, Ethel J., and Mrs. Holt. ------------- besides ------------I got the most beautiful one from __________ guess who _____________. Mary Humphrey!! I nearly feel over! The sentiment on it was fine. I wonder if she she [sic] has forgotten our enmity. I’m sure I have come to the point where I do not blame her for what she has done, for I was as mean to her as she was to me. Such things are extremely foolish to remember for they only made me feel unhappy and uncomfortable. I’m glad I have forgotten about it. I’ll bring the card home.
My new friend Frona took me up town tonight to give me a treat of an ice cream sundae. After I was all through eating, I told her she had given me a fine birthday gift, for I was twenty today.
This has really been a very happy birthday in spite of the fact that I had to spend it away from home. I would have been happier to have been at home for dears, there is no place like home – especially on my birthday. I had a happy day anyways, and will be very glad when I can be at home with you.
Your birthday wishes were splendid. Thank you for them. I really feel that I have accomplished very, very little in the twenty years which I have lived. I have merely existed having all of the hard knocks kept from me. I has been a selfish life live only for myself and you and the near of friends. I have done nothing worth mentioning for other people. I hope that my “twenties” will be more successful in service than my “teens” were. There are a great many opportunities to help if I could only see them. I hope, when I am thirty I’ll be able to look back on my twenties and say, “I have done my best to make people happy and help them in any way that came in my path.”
I am going to a debate tonight between Ripon and Bowden college in Brunswick, Me. It is sure to be good, but I am afraid we will loose for one of our speakers is taken ill with the “flu”. One of the other boys has undertaken to fill his place at twenty-four hours’ notice. He is a brilliant fellow, but, naturally, he won’t be able to do as well as the other fellow who has had all of the training and practice.
I’m going to have a “spread” tonight. I bought some bread to make sandwitches [sic] of the conserve. I “swiped” some butter and milk from the commons and will make cocoa. I’m sure we’ll have a good time and a fine feast. Thank you for the cake and candy.
I’m vice president of the Ripon College Y.W.C.A.! Aren’t you proud of your daughter? Ha! I was elected 5 to 6. There is a very little work or responsibility to the office of which I am very glad. Mary is president.
I went to the Christian Service Club Tuesday evening and joined. The meeting was extremely interesting. Mr. Hamley gave a talk on “Opportunities for Christian Service in the Community.” He told some very interesting things about his work among factory people and lumbermen. I’m sure I shall enjoy the society even more than Y.W. or C.E.
I practiced target shooting last night for the first time. It was fun, but I am rather lame today from holding a heavy army rifle. I shot twenty four times. I didn’t hit the bull’s eye everytime, but Captain Adington said it was consistant [sic] shooting and that I would improve. I’m glad to be able to know how to at least hold a gun. Everyone ought to.
Mr. Boody has been here this week. He is a mere ghost of himself, for he has been very sick. He does not feel very well even yet. Our orations don’t have to be in until after the vacation because of the delay.
I’ll be very busy from now until I come home with “cramming” for the finals. I probably won’t be home until Sat. night for my p.s. exam comes on Sat. morning. I wanted to “hike” home, but now I can’t. Mildred Hotchkins and Henry Jones were going to hike, too, but they won’t now, so long I can’t go. You know, we would take the train when we got tired.
I’m “tickled to tears” at the prospect of seeing Mr. Merritt after so long a time.
Love.
Your,
Pearl.
Sunday evening Apr. 9, ‘22
Dearest of all Mamma and Papas;
Well, I’m back from C.E. and will write a little note before I go to bed. Had the most wonderful lecture by Mr. Graham this morning. He talked on good books as an aid to the development of ourselves, and above all books he reccommended [sic] to us the 66 in which are written tragedies and human stories, pictures of character, knowledge of science and every form of poetry – the Bible. He told of his own experiences in finding the worth of the Book. It was one summer when he was all alone in the wilderness of Dakota and had nothing else to read except the Argusic and a sport magazine. He said that he came back in the fall a changed man. He quoted from Landor this verse which I think is very beautiful:
“I strove with none, for none was worth my strife, nature I love, and next to nature art, I warmed my hands before the fire of like, it sinks, and I am ready to depart.”
Landor wrote the verse on his 75th birthday. Mr. Graham has the deepest insight into human character of any person that I have ever seen. It does not seem possible that he is only 28.
I gave the M.E. church a negative answer to the proposition of the choir. It was purely a selfish motive, but I can’t stand it to listen to their minister.
Friday was Martha’s birthday, and she invited eight of her friends out to South Woods to a picnic supper. We went and had a wonderful time. There was a fine spread of buns, heated canned corn, wieners, marshmallows, + olives. Martha didn’t think we knew that it was her birthday, so we got her a little present and took it out there as a surprise. (it was a little Ripon College seal). We totally surprised her, and it seemed to make her feel quite happy.
There is Y.W. installation of officers Wed. night. We are going to have a regular banquet with toasts ‘neverything. The new officers have to make speeches, so you see I’ll have to prepare one soon. My vice-presidency makes me automatically the chairman of the membership committee which looks out for new members in the fall. As vice-pres. I am on the Y.W. cabinet which meets every week for a few minutes. These things won’t take much of my time, for I shall do them at odd moments which would otherwise be wasted.
The C.T.G. is tomorrow night. I am on the supper committee but our supper is to be quite simple, as I won’t have to do much but serve.
The roads down here a very well dried out and I surely hope they are at home, so that you can come her for Easter. I am so anxious to have you! Try to get here by 10 o’clock for Mr. Graham’s class it to begin promptly and you should not miss the opportunity of hearing him. Vesper services are in the P.M. from 3 to 4. It would be very nice for your to see how they are conducted. You would have plenty of time to get home after that. We can stay to the church services after S.S. if we want to. Mr. Wilson is to back for the occasion, and there is sure to be fine pipe organ and vocal music. I am very anxious for you to come and see me and get another view of the campus and Bartlett. If you come, you must meet Frona and Martha and Ignaty. Please come if you possibly can.
I have bought some new pumps. They were $5.00 which is quite a good deal cheaper than $7.00. They are very dressy, having thin sole, pointed toe, which perforations, fine soft patent leather, and one strap, with a large lead buckle on the side. The heel is medium low. They are different from anything I had planned on getting, but I like them better than anything I have seen. My watch is being fixed.
Be sure to let me know if Mr. Merritt is coming Thursday.
Easter morn. we are to have a sunrise devotional service for C.E. on the steps of the church at 3:30. It is sure to be fine.
(There were only 7 in a class of 86 who got A [sic] in biology, and nearly all of them are Seniors. I wouldn’t have gotten A [sic] if I hadn’t “crammed” for half the night before the exam and had a good note book.)
It is getting quite late. The lights are all out, so I must go to bed.
Good night (+ + +) (+ + +) (3 apiece.)
Love,
Pearl
Bartlett, Ripon, Wis.
Fri. morn. Apr. 21, ‘22
Dearest Mamma and Papa,
I am sorry that I have not written before this week but I have been quite busy and have written to no one.
I must tell you before I forget that Frieda Hempel is to sing here on the night of May first. You must try your very hardest to come, for I know it will be worth while. You see, I am planning on coming home with the glee club girls on April 28th. You could bring us (Agnes and I) back Sunday night or Monday morning and stay over for the concert in the evening when you could stay over for the concert in the evening when you could stay over night and go home the next day. Or, if you think it would be impossible for you to stay overnight, you could easily get home that night. The roads aught to be pretty good by that time, so please try to come. Let me know for a certainly as soon as you know so that I can get the tickets for some good seats. I don’t know how much the tickets will cost but probably about 3 or 4 dollars. I’ll let you know as soon as I learn.
We have had come very peculiar weather this week. Everyday there has been a demonstration of every season of the year. We have had beautiful June days, April showers, February snow storms and fall windstorms all in one morning. A tree and a telephone pole were blown down Wednesday. Today is beautiful thus far, but we do not know what to expect before night. However, I hope it will continue to be pleasant.
Nothing of much importance has happened this week outside of regular school routine. Wed. after school I went for an invigorating walk in a severe wind with Martha. I went over to Frona’s for a little while in the evening. Last night, Donald Mack, one of those “U” students who came to Ripon a while ago, came over to Bartlett and gave us a violin concert. He is one of the most wonderful players that I have ever seen. He and some others played dance music for a while and the kids danced, but from 7:30 to 8:45 he played some of those beautiful classic solos that are familiar to us all. We were as quiet as mice and were so enchanted by the music that Mrs. Gardner allowed him to play far beyond the quiet hours. It seemed so good to hear something besides “jazz.”
Oh, yes! and I have some good news for you too! I nearly forgot. I have a chance to go to Appleton Sunday if it is a nice day and the roads are good! There is a Student Volunteer convention there, and there is a car load going from Ripon. Frona is going, and as she has asked me to go too. She doesn’t like to be the only girl in the load, so she insists upon my giving too as there is plenty of room in the car. Of course, I am “tickled” at the prospects of the nice trip, for I never get any car rides except when I am home, and besides I am anxious to see more of Lawrence, for I didn’t get a very good look at it when I went with “Prexy” because the trip was so hurried. I always enjoy myself when I am with Frona, for she is a wonderful girl, much to my taste. One of the professors volunteered the services of his car, so it won’t cost much except the meals. I shall get a rebate for Sunday from the commons which will partly cover expenses. When I get back (if I go) I’ll write to tell you all about it. I’m confident that I shall have a fine time, and I know that you are pleased too for you always are unselfishly happy over my good times and opportunities.
The other day Prof. Groves gave us a test in biology, and, much to everyone’s surprise and my good fortune, he excused those who in the final grade for last quarter had a mark of “A” or “B.” I was lucky to be excused for I really didn’t know anything about the questions. You see, I hadn’t “crammed.” Dr. Groves is always doing something unexpected. He is the funniest old jigger! Yesterday he was scolding us in lecture for not working harder, etc., and we were all listening as we always do when he scolds us, but while we listen the scolding goes right out the other ear. He tries terribly hard to frighten us, but we know his bark is worse than his bite. When he had finished, I looked up at him and grinned, and he couldn’t keep the laugh from creeping into his voice and face. He is certainly a peculiar man—very unusual in his appearance and talk. We have lots of fun with him, but after all, he has the ability to make us work.
There is certainly a great deal of trouble around home. I hope everyone is better by this time. Did you get to Almond to the funeral. [sic]
I am so glad that you, Mamma, have had your eyes tested at last! It is a great relief to me. Have your teeth out at the first opportunity.
This is the night of the great “Prom.” Of course there are many new gowns and happy faces for the occasion. Mary nor I are going, and maybe we will go over to Sidnie’s for a while this evening, as she has asked us to come.
I thought when I began to write that there wasn’t much to tell, but I have been unable to find a place to stop. I guess I could rave on and on forever to you even though there isn’t much news. But, I must really stop now, not for lack of things to say, but because dinner is served in five minutes and I must get ready. A hunger pang is warning me.
Yours lovingly,
Pearl.
Tuesday evening, Apr. 25, ‘22
Dearest Folks,
Just a few hasty lines to tell you a little of the news.
I had a wonderful trip Sunday. The day was beautiful. The convention was rather uninteresting, but I had a good time anyway. Went through some of the college buildings. The chapel is the most beautiful building I have ever seen. Appleton is a pretty city. I have been telling you only minor details—Here is the big point! I saw Mary Davies of Manatowoc [sic] and had a fine visit with her for about an hour. It just happened that I went up to Ormsby to get cleaned up after the ride. I inquired if she was in college this year, and found that she was in that very hall. I’ll tell you all about everything when I get home. I am in a great rush now, for I am rather behind my work.
Yes, Ignaty will come home with me from the train. Don’t “fuss” for her one mite, mamma, for she is as common as anyone. She will make herself at home and cause no trouble. I hope Mary can come home too, then we may get time to be alone some. But, if we aren’t we can’t help it.
The eats that you sent Sat. were delicious. I had them for my Sun. morning breakfast, so that I could hand in a rebate. But, Mamma, you simply mustn’t send things every week as you have been doing! I don’t want you to. You shouldn’t waste your time and strength that way. I have plenty to eat, and can get along very well without it. You mustn’t bother to send things so often—Now, you see, I have scolded you for things to eat are not necessary for my happiness when there are letters from home, and I would a great deal rather have you go calling or read or do something that will give you more pleasure.
The Robertses have just been here on their way home from the hospital where Mrs. R. has been examined. She is poisoned from her tonsils which she has to have out next week. If that does not help her, the Drs. have her no encouragement. Mary is going with her to the hospital some time next week. She is dreadfully worried.
What do you suppose! I have to speak in chapel tomorrow morning! I just found it out and will have to make my speech tonight. Ruth Vancirk is a Ripon girl who graduated from college here and is now a missionary in the foreign field being supported by the college Y.W. and Y.M. Tomorrow two Y.W. girls and 2 Y.W. fellows are to speak in chapel urging the students to pledge liberally. They are to make the annual pledge in chapel after the speeches. I know I’ll be just petrified, but I’ll do my best. I don’t know why they always make me do things like that. I always have to be the goat! I suppose I aught to be glad of the opportunity, but I’m not, although it will probably be a benefit to me after it is all over.
The boys’ glee club sings here tonight, but I’m not going. I have a great deal of work to do, and besides, I am tired and want to go to bed early.
I saw Robert Jones today. It just happened that I met him in the hall at Ingram. I was greatly surprised at seeing him, but found him to be the same old ticket.
I must close now and get busy. We’ll exchange the rush of the news when I get home. I am so “tickled” to come! I love you so much!
Lovingly,
Pearl.
I really did know how to spell those words, but I was in too much of a hurry to stop and think how to write them. Thank you for sending me the list anyway.
Pearl.
Bartlett Hall, Ripon, Wisconsin.
Wed., April 26, 1922.
Dearest Papa,
Now, I am forced to scold you for not jumping at the chance to hear Frieda Hempel, the world’s greatest soprano. You have heard the world’s greatest man singer, John McCormick, now take advantage of the opportunity of hearing the world’s greatest soprano. The tickets will cost $4.00 a piece, but what it they do? What is your money good for if it isn’t to enjoy yourself with and to better your minds. [sic] You had better make use of it while you can. There is no need of your digging and scraping every minute of your life, for life is short and you should make the most of it. You can well afford to miss a day and a half of work to hear something fine. Now see here! If you don’t make use of your money now, I’ll spend it for something foolish for myself. You had better spend it yourself, for then you will know where it goes. Make your decision right away, so that I can get you a good seat. If you still don’t care anything about coming, make Mamma come anyway, for I’m sure she would like to do so. I’ll have to know before Friday noon so that Mary can get the tickets on Saturday morning.
I just got through with my chapel speech. It went off fairly well, but I was scared green!
Bushels of love,
Pearl.
P.S. We raised $402.00 in pledges in the chapel as an after effect of the three student speeches. I’m sending my speech home. We are going to get more pledges than that before we quit, although I think that was doing quite well.
Pearl.
Sunday morning
May 6, 1922
Dearest Folks,
The flowers that Mrs. Holt picked in Wausau were very pretty and came through in good condition. Some of them are different from any that grow around here, and so they were excellent for biology specimens. We are each making mounts of all the wild flowers we can find. Thank you for sending them.
I wish you might have seen South Woods the day we girls went out. The low ground was white with trilliums and the hills were covered with violets. I have a bowl of violets and a vase of trilliums in my room besides three glasses of specimens of all different kinds. We came back from the woods with our arms loaded with beautiful flowers. When we got back, we had our supper in Bartlett’s lower parlors, consisting of tomato soup, toast and doughnuts.
I got my botany theme in on Wednesday. I don’t know whether it will have a lower mark for being late or not, but it doesn’t matter anyway. I wrote my oration Wednesday night (when the Girls’ Glee Club gave the concert in the auditorium.) When I got to class Thursday Mr. Boody asked me to read it for the class. (I’m really “teacher’s pet” as far as public speaking and Mr. Boody are concerned.) He liked my oration and thinks it will be fine after it is rewritten. At commencement time there is to be an oratoracle [sic] contest for both boys and girls who are to deliver orations of their own composition. The prizes are ten and fifteen dollars for the first and second places. Mr. Boody is urging members of his public speaking class to enter. I don’t know whether to enter or not. Of course, if I did it, it would merely be for the sake of the benefit and experience I would get. I would expect to get the lowest standing. I wouldn’t consider entering if I didn’t have to prepare and deliver an oration anyway. It would require but very little more effort to prepare it for the contest than for public speaking class, for there will have to be several rehearsals in either case. I wish you would write and tell me what you think I have better do, for I am greatly in doubt. There won’t be very much work in p.s. from now on except improving and committing our oration for delivery. Tell me what you think. I have tried to tell you all about it that you may better judge. Do you think the students would think I was egotistical to go into a contest the first year. [sic] Do you think it would be unjust to Mr. Tutunjian by bringing up horrible memories? I never will enter if I don’t this year, for it would be too much work to prepare a speech for the occasion. Advise me as to your conclusion, and I shall be satisfied with your decision, as I am unable to make one myself.—The contest will be in the Congo church, the place where we have chapel services.
I hope next Sunday will be as fine a day as this one is. If it is I’m sure you will come won’t you. I’m so anxious to have you both come down for the day. Probably you had better bring the Etheridge girls, for they probably expect it. I would be very glad for the Holts to come too if you have room in the car to bring them, or, maybe they would take their car too. Everyone is welcome at church services, and I think I can find room at the commons for you all, because many of the students will be at home over the week-end. I do hope you can come. Let me know whether you can or now, and at what time you will arrive, so that I can be watching for you.
Sun. evening.
Sidnie D. called up right after dinner asking me to go for a ride with her and the Seeliegs (where she has her meals). The Seeliegs have a fine sedan. We went 103 miles at Waupun, Beaver Dam, Lomira, Rosendale, Fon du Lac [sic], etc. It was an ideal day and I certainly enjoyed myself while seeing a country which I had never before seen. We got back about 7:30 and I had my supper at Seeleig’s. They are fine people—even though they are aristocrats. They were extremely nice to me.
Went to S.S. this morning, and was disappointed when Mr. Graham was unable to be there and Dr. Groves talked at our class.
I have an exam in English tomorrow morning, so I must close and review a little before going to bed.
I was over to Sidnie’s all Saturday P.M. She asked me over. Frona was here to spend the evening last night. I have been doing a lot of studying while I have been alone.
Lots of love,
Pearl.
May 10, 1922
Speech of Vice-President of Y.W.C.A.
I have been greatly perplexed in thinking what I should say tonight, for there are so many things about the Y.W.C.A. that would make interesting topics that it is hard to choose any. But, finally I decided to tell you a little of what Y.W. has meant to me, and what it aught to mean to every member. I can’t express the deeper influence of this organization, for it is too deep for words. I can simply say this: that I have been present at nearly every meeting this year, and that there has never been a meeting that has not left a deep impression upon me. I have never left a Y.W. service without fine food for thought and a feeling of something worth-while added to my life. The organization gives me a message of friendship, of fellowship, a message of oneness that bids us love each other and go forward hand in hand to spread the message of Christ.
I feel very incompetent to fill the office of vice-president, but I am very willing to learn and I promise you that I will do my best as a member of the cabinet to help the members keep up the fine standards that have been set this year. I am so thoroughly interested in the work that the task, instead of being one of hard labor, will be one of pleasure and benefit to myself. My highest ambition for next year, as chairman of the membership committee, will be to carry out the slogan “100 of 0 memberships for the Y.W.C.A.”
There is a sad tendency in college toward drifting away from Christianity. There are many causes of this condition, but the one thing that will do the most toward remedying it, is the influence of the Y.W. and other Christian organizations in college. Many a Freshman girl comes here from a Christian home, only to find her faith growing weaker and weaker until her whole belief is shattered and she finds herself a pagan in reality if not in name. If the new students could be gotten into the right environment at first, their whole life would be changed. It is the duty of all Y.W. members to bring them under the right influence by urging them to join our society. The responsibility of the new students falls upon me, but I cannot do it all alone. I need the cooperation of every Y.W. member if the project of 100 of 0 memberships is to be a success. Yes it will call for work, but the work will be repaid 100 fold by the satisfaction it will be after the new students have become members to see them happily following after the footsteps of Christ, by living up to the purposes of the Y.W.C.A. and “extending the Kingdom of God throughout the world.”
Pearl Pierce.
Easter evening 5/16/22
Dearest Mamma + Papa;
Although I have had not a great deal of studying to do this week. I have been very busy with other necessary things. Consequently, I did not have time to write you anything except a card.
I went to Christian Service Club meeting Tuesday evening, which Mr. Tutunjian lead. He talked about the reasons for the drifting away from Christianity in college and the remedies for it. It was such an impressive talk that we had an enthusiastic discussion afterwards determining that the service club should help the condition by getting the Freshmen students next year into some Christian organization such as the Y.W. or Y.M. or C.E. If we can do it, it will make all the difference in the world to the new students, for it will mean that they will be started right. I got the idea for my installation speech in Y.W. from this meeting. I am sending it home. You know, as vice president of the Y.W.C.A., I automatically become chairman of the membership committee which will do a great deal of work next fall with the new freshmen.
The installation was a fine success Wednesday evening. The tables were three in number and were arranged in the form of a “Y.” They were decorated with ferns and narcissus plants on white table cloths. The refreshments consisted of brick ice cream and angle [sic] food cake. After the refreshments, the president (ex-pres. now) made her little speech and called for speeches from each of the new officers. Mary, in spite of the fact that she is taking public speaking, was terribly frightened and didn’t do as well as she aught. ‘Stell Pearce gave one made up mostly on the spur of the moment and saturated with her jokes. I didn’t give my talk as well as I should have done, but everyone seemed interested so I aught to be satisfied. I wore my blue silk dress which every admired greatly.
I am with Frona a great deal because it is a very short time that she will be with me and I want to see as much of her as possible during that time. She is a girl of very high principle and an unusually sweet personality. Frona invited Nordie and one of the teachers with me to an Easter supper last night. We had a magnificent supper of pork roast, “scalloped” corn, fruit salid [sic] and vegitable [sic] salad, besides jelly, cookies, candies etc. The salad side dish was very cute for Easter, for the eggs were carved in the shape of little baskets which were filled with chopped stuffed olives. The yolks were using in the dressing like that in develed [sic] eggs. This with tomatoes was [sic] placed on hed letters [sic]. We had cute little Easter place cards, napkins, and a large nest of eggs and chickens in the center of the table.
Worked hard in lab. all Sat. morning getting my biology note book ready to hand in. After dinner, I got all of my summer dresses out and pressed them. I wet the organdie on my red gingham dress and pressed it while it was wet, making it look just like new. The dresses are not at all dirty.
I had a nice time with Mr. Merritt Thursday evening. It seemed good to see him again after three years. We walked nearly all of the time he was here, and if he wasn’t such a big husky man I would fear that I had tired him out for he is not used to walking much. I suppose he had told you all about it by this time.
Ethel gay was much pleased with the stockings. I have the money which I will give to you when I come home. Don’t bother to get me any high priced stockings. I would rather have another pair of 75 c. ones. The girls down here like them very much. I think, at last, that I have struck the right kind of shampoo in eggs. My hair has been very nice after washing it with them at home. I got two eggs at the commons tonight free of charge and had another shampoo tonight.
I am so sorry that you weren’t here today, but of course it can’t be helped. I got up at five o’clock this morning to go to the sunrise C.E. service. There was a fine program consisting of a pretty pagent [sic] of Easter. I am glad that there was a large crowd present. At then, I went to S.S. and Mr. Graham talked about the rebirth in life as signified by the resurrection. He gave as essentials to happiness in life, work, forgiveness, love and friendship, ones soul must be the tomb for other people’s secrets and a fountain of youth for their joys and sorrows. I agree heartily with his beautiful sentiment. I went to the Baptist church with Anges for the church service. Mr. Hamley doesn’t preach there and I was quite uninterested in the sermon I heard. It spoiled the effect for the time of Mr. Graham’s beautiful message.
We had vespers this P.M. I hope you will see a vesper service sometime this year. They are very interesting having a good deal of formality about them. This P.M. was an entire musical one producing an Easter contata [sic] by the Congo choir. It was all singing and was very long. I wish you could have heard it.
We had chicken dinner at the Commons!
I am so sorry about Orval’s hand! I shall try to send him a card. Sidnie has already written.
Thank you so much for the delicious “eats” you sent for my Easter! They were lovely. Ignaty + Mary were wild about the Washington pie, for they had never had any before. The box of candy was cute and the cookies were very good. Thanks heaps. I like the little teddy suit.
It is ten o’clock so I must close and go to bed.
Oceans of love,
Pearl
P.S. I got a nice “Thank You” letter from Dorothy S.
Sunday, May 28, 1922.
Dearest of all Mammas and Papas,
Mary D. is resting, so I will write you a few lines. I realize that I haven’t written you for a long time, but I have been on the jump every minute since I got back from Milwaukee.
About graduation—I have received invitations from Eunice, Elizabeth, Evelyn Jenks and William. You remember I gave Eunice and Elizabeth little aprons for graduation, so not much else is necessary. As far as Evelyn is concerned, I would like very much to make her a little powder puff or some pongee handkerchief if there was time to do so, but I’m afraid there isn’t. I wish I had finished the little puff when I was at the puff making job. Everything here costs so much that I hate to buy anything for either she or William here, and I don’t know what to suggest to have you get them there. Have you any of those nice little books left? I don’t think it will be necessary to give gifts to every member of the class. Lester M., Henry S., Evelyn Attoe, Bud Herlin and Elizabeth Palmbach hardly require any unless some of them send invitations. Possibly you should give Clinton something if you send something to Harley. Is Eunice valedictorian? And who is salutatorian? I imagine either Evelyn J. or A. are salutatorian, but I haven’t heard anything about it.
I am shocked to hear of the addition to the O.E.S. I can’t wait until I get home to find out all about it. How could it happen? I am very sorry you could not go to Portage for today, because it is a beautiful day for a trip. I don’t understand, I don’t know at which end of the line the difficulty lies [sic]. Is Aunt Ann worse, or did you find that you couldn’t go alone if you went? I wish you could have gone, but we must work it so that you can go later. I don’t care to go to Portage, so you had better try to go before I get home. If you can’t arrange to go before I come home, we can all go sometime in the summer and I can visit Frona at Mauston while you make your stay at Portage. I don’t believe Mauston is far from Portage is it?
In less than 3 weeks I’ll be home for all summer. I can’t wait to come, but I dred [sic] leaving all of the senior friends whom I may never see again. I’ll miss Frona most, but of course I’ll try to keep in touch with her always. It doesn’t seem possible that I am nearly at the end of my freshman year in college. I will certainly be busy next year with all of my offices. I think I’ll let all my other interests go, and give my attention to the Y.W., Christian Service Club and the matters of Bartlett. That will take up all my spare time when I’m not studying. I’ll leave off enthusiastic work in C.E. and C.T.G. for the sake of the other organizations, for I certainly can’t do much at any if I keep them all. I think the Y.W. and Christian S.C. are the most interesting anyway. The Y.W. will require quite a good deal of work during the 1st quarter but I got quite a few suggestions, as to how to carry on the work, at the convention. The C.S.C. will require very little work, for we only have meetings once a month and all I have to do is write a short account of them for the “Days.” Of course the house duties won’t be at all pleasant. I’ll have to nag at the girls for money, keep books, and trot around paying debts. But worse than any of these jobs is the duty to members of the house council. The council has to make the rules and illicit penalties on all those who disobey. It requires work and the only pay we get is unpleasant notoriety and kicks from the persecuted. I guess I’ll live through it, though. The new council is going to meet soon to discuss plans for next year.
I’m just crazy about the new dress, Mamma. It’s a fine fit, and I like the way it’s made.
Mary Roberts has gone on a house party at Green Lake with Johnie Schmidt. They are going to stay until Tuesday night. This would have been a fine week end to have studied in if I had been alone, but of course, I am glad Mary. D. could come to see me. I think she will go back sometime tomorrow. By the way, she is a devout Catholic. She went to mass with “Schwingie” this morning, because she is never supposed to miss a Sunday without mass. She declines to go to S.S. with me too, because they are not supposed to attend another church. I was surprised that she was Catholic because of her father, but she speaks as though they all go to that church at home. Maybe Mrs. D’s sickness has made some difference to his change. Mary is a very nice girl.
Bartlett is not going to have a house party because the time is all taken up for the other things.
Yes, I think the trip to Milwaukee was worth all it cost. I didn’t realize until I went to Milwaukee how very little I know about the city, but I know quite a good deal more now than I did before I went. One certainly has to shove oneself along if one is to get anywhere. The rule seems to be “first come, first served.” “Take everything you can get and give as little as you can.” The crowds, large buildings, noise and bustle are much different than I am used to. Downer is a beautiful school. The buildings are red brick and the peculiar part about them is that they are arranged so that every building is connected with every other building by little covered, indoor walks or sun parlors. The dormatories [sic] are magnificent on the inside with padded floors and elegant parlors, but the rooms aren’t so convenient as our Bartlett room for two girls live in one room which is smaller by far than our study room. The girls there have a noticeable polish that we in a coeducational school do not get; but, nevertheless, I wouldn’t care to go to school there. It strikes me as being too aristocratic. I wish some of the girls here, who kick about the rules, could go to Downer for a while. When they got back they would think Ripon rules were snaps. I had a very nice room there and a pleasant time. Some of the girls took us to Lake Park Saturday morning. It is a beautiful place overlooking Lake Michigan. Probably you have been there. We had a few conferences before dinner and then went out on the Downer back campus for a picnic dinner. Downer has 40 acres of wild woods back of the dorms. We had our after noon meetings there which were very informal discussions of the problems of the different campuses. That night there was a four course banquet in the normal school dining rooms. It was a fine affair with toasts and speeches. Sunday morning we went to a meeting until ten o’clock, then we went home and went to Mary’s relatives to a delicious Sunday dinner. They are fine people. Mr. Joe Roberts is a M.W. Rail Road man. From there, we went to see the “Home Electric” which is a new modern home where everything is run by electricity. It had been open to the public for three weeks as an electrical advertisement. The home was magnificently furnished and had electric applyances [sic] from dish and clothes washer to ironing machine and radio outfit. Monday morn we took the train at 7:15 and came back to Ripon. I enjoyed the trip and learned a lot, but it seemed good to get back away from the noise and dirt.
I may not have time to write another letter this week, because I am going to be terribly busy. I have my oration to learn and 10000 word short story to write. I am supposed to lead C.E. Sun. night, but if I feel that I can spare the time, I’ll cut it and come home. I want to if I can get my work done far enough.
Oceans of love,
Pearl.
Thur. Sept. 27, 1922
The dearest Mom + Papa in the world,
I have really been awfully bush since school began, but now that the Y.W. is successfully started (I am its president), the Bartlett girls are beginning to understand what they can and can’t do, the Christian Service Club has gotten underway, and the routine has begun, I feel that I’ll be able to live on 24 hours a day if I have a strict enough schedule.
I’m not feeling tired, although I have been working night and day. I have a ravenous appetite, but as the meals at the commons are unusually good so far, my hunger is easily satisfied. No, you needn’t send anything to eat, for it is better not to lunch. Thanks heaps just the same.
I haven’t bought any slippers yet, so if you would just as soon send to the “National” for the oxfords we were speaking of, I would be pleased. You had probably better order size 5, so that they’ll be plenty large enough. When you send the laundry back next week, would you send my white dress and stocking and slippers? I think I’ll have to wear white at initiation for Y.W. as long as I am president. Don’t wash or press the dress. I’ll press it when it gets here and that’s all I’ll wear it this year.
I led Y.W. yesterday. Stell, Sidnis, Doris Spencer + I sang a quartet “One Sweetly Solemn Thought,” and Mrs. Gardner gave the “Welcome” address. There was a large crowd and I hope the work will be of benefit to all. Because of too much other work, Stell resigned her Y.W. Tresureship, so we had to get both a new Tres. + vice pres. At the meeting for Freshmen girls the other day, about 40 girls signed the Y.W. pledge. Quite a lot, I think.
Stell’s chum came last night. Stell hired a car and went to Fond du Lac to meet her, taking Sidnie, Rose Hanlon (our gym teacher) and me along with her. We had a fine time getting back about 9:45. We had our supper there.
I went with Rose Joe (that’s what I’ll call Miss Hanlon hereafter) to take her Frosh class on a hike this morning before breakfast. We went to South Woods. It was invigorating to get up for a brisk hike before breakfast. Did I get an appetite? “You bet!”
I went to a Christian Service Club meeting Tuesday night. There were a number present and quite a good deal of enthusiasm was shown for this year’s work.
I was elected W.S.G.A (Woman’s Self Gov’t Association) representative from Bartlett yesterday. Although there isn’t any real work to it, I hated to accept it, for all one makes in that position is a lot enemies. It is really a court where the cases of unruly girls are brought up and punishments are executed.
Today an Alpha Ceti Alpha (the journalistic sorority I have spoken of) member asked me to be a pledge. I accepted and will probably be admitted in the spring. Do you think I did right? It is a national sorority of high honor. If you’d rather I wouldn’t join let me know.
I think I’ll go to the lake with the girls. Sidnie is invited too, and we’re sure to have a wonderful time. We’ll probably go out tomorrow P.M. and come back Sun. P.M.
I am so anxious to see you! You’ll just have to come down a week from next Sunday if the trains aren’t on by then. I’m afraid I hadn’t ought to miss Monday classes so soon, for I have four of them. But if you can’t come down, I’ll come home anyway.
Hastily with love,
Pearl
Nov. 15, 1922
Dearest Mama,
Your letter just came and as always I was glad to get it.
Hope you enjoyed Study Club yesterday, and I’m glad you carried your mesh bag. I got it for you to use, and I might not be please if you don’t do it.
The concert last night was marvelous, as I expected it would be. But really, it was for the most part too classical to be thoroughly enjoyable.
Tonight, Henrietta and Dorothy are giving a spread to which Justine and I are invited.
I’m all rested up after taking an hour’s nap every day. It makes a world of difference.
Now don’t work too hard cleaning house, because it can just as well be postponed until I can help you. And you know I really enjoy that kind of work. By all means let George pound the carpets – it is too heavy work for you, and you might better put up with him than to try to do it yourself.
I hope the week-end is nice, but if it isn’t we’ll have a good time with all the music and reading we can do. Vespers isn’t until 4 o’clock so we won’t have to hurry back. Oh yes – if my old girdle is handy; you might send it along in my laundry box. I happened to think of it yesterday and wondered how it would feel to wear it. I’m a little tired of round garters.
I don’t suppose I’ll have time to write on Sunday, but I may write a note before we leave for Shiocton.
Your own,
Pearl.
P.S. No, Stuart didn’t have any place to put the apple blossoms, so I didn’t give him any.
Bartlett Hall, Ripon, Wisconsin
Dec. 10. 1922
Dearest Father and Mother,
I should have written oftener but I have been very busy making up work I don’t seem to get things done very fast probably due to the fact that my system isn’t quite back to normal. I’m sure, now, that I shall have to study all during the Christmas vacation. I’m not anticipating the task by any means, for it won’t be much like Christmas if I have to have a book in my hand all the time. I am rather nervous yet. The least noise makes me jump. When I am studying and someone comes to the door, I can’t help but jump. Other trifling incidents have the same effect, but I hope and expect to get over it before so very long.
The girls of Bartlett got up at 4:30 this morning and went all over Ripon singing Christmas carrols [SIC]. I practiced with them and planned on going, but when the time came I decided I had better stay in bed. The songs sounded very pretty. Last night Ripon played Stevens Point in basketball but I didn’t go. Ripon won 6-18. The Y.W. freshman made about $20 yesterday on the Christmas sale. I sent the purchases home except a pair of $30 shoetre [SIC] which I may need to give Sidnie for her birthday.
Tonight is the union young people’s meeting which occurs annually at Christmas time. I’m sure it will be splendid, but I feel that I can’t use the energy to go. I’ll need it this week in the exams. I’m studying instead of going.
But, tomorrow night I am going to hear the “Massiah” given by the students and people of the city with four other singers from away. It is being put on by the school of music, the instructors in which have been training the choruses for two months. It is sure to be greatly worth seeing, I can’t afford to miss it.
I aunt Celia there? I imagine she is by this time.
I don’t know yet when I can come home, but I’ll let you hear from me in time. I know I can’t come before Friday noon, and maybe not then.
Much love,
Pearl.
P.S. Tuesday P.M. Bartlett is giving a Christmas party for ten poor little girls of Ceresco. They will have a nice supper (obtained from the commons + some ice cream and candy) and will each receive a little gift on the Christmas tree. Stell is to be Santa. We’re sure to have lots of fun entertaining them.
Is there anything you want me to buy here to bring home? Did you get anything at the Baptist bazaar?
Letters transcribed by Parissa DJangi and Bryan Schneider
|
