Miriam Van Waters Papers. Reformatory for Women at Framingham, 1876-1970. Subseries 3. Student correspondence, 1936-1971, n.d. Correspondence: L, 1947-1950. A-71, folder 310. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

Boston, Mass. april 18 -1948

My Dearest Family Thank you again my dear Friend, you have saved me again. I thank you, and I thank God for your so needed help. Duke is trying so hard, it breaks my heart to watch him struggle so hard and luck, fate or what just seems to be dead set against us both. Well, enough of me, my heart and soul are with you right now. May God open people's eyes so they can see and realize how good and right your plans are, and have always been. you my Family, know how I am saved by your compassion to me when I was alone and needed help so badly. I owe my very soul to your kindess and mercy. I have held tight to the faith you caused me to take. If only the public could see you as I do. You would never have another (over)

2 worry. Mrs Ripley (unclear), yes, and I knkow C Eleanor Brown too. I am doing my best to pass that faith on. I told you about the house-keeper here. Well thank God I am doing something good. May God change that new Commissioner's heart, may he wake up and realize how terribly wrong his methods are. Please my dearest family do not permit yourself to be discouraged, there have been fool hardy and difficult at first, but then they too changed. So sit tight smile very sweetly and pray as you have never prayed before. I shall keep on praying harder than ever for you and please keep praying for me. To put it mildly, I am having a terribly difficult time. I am not going to write anymore tonight. Please write to me soon, and please give Dr. Castle my love. Please do not let anything get you down. Thank God! you are so fortunate in having Miss Mahoney, she I know is loyal to you and to your teachings, it is indeed pitiful you have so very few whom you can trust. How is mother? Doing well I hope. May God bless and keep you always strong.

Keep Smiling

Your family

Ruth La Vache

P.S Miss Mahoney has promised to come back to see me this coming week. I certainly hope she does, oh, she is a comfort so cheerful. How I'd love to see you if only for five minutes. I shall look forward to seeing her, she's so good, so wise beyond her age. All my love to you and my prayers.

Ruth

[attachment of news clipping]

Freed by Plea of Dying Wife

The plea of a dying women won mercy for her husband in municipal court yesterday after Judge Jenny Loitman Barron had found Charles LaVache, 52, of St. Botolph st., Back Bay, guilty of larceny of a radio. Mrs, Ruth LaVache 49, who sat weeping during testimony of Patrolman Frank Collins concorning the larceny, asked permission of a court officer to speak to Judge Barron and showed her a letter from a doctor. After reading it Judge Barron said: "This woman has had seven major operations and does not have much longer to live. I am placing her husband on probation so he may stay with her until the end." Arm in arm the couple wordlessley left the court.

Friday

Perhaps this clipping will (unclear) you, (unclear) a chance that (unclear) to more pleasant for Ruth after she has endured so much pain and suffering. Did Miss O'Keefe inform you about Julia (unclear) dissappearance? I have a feeling that she greatly needs pchychiatric treatment, and am much concerned for her welfare.

With all good thoughts

Sincerely

(unclear)

Ruth LaVache File 4/48

Friday

Dear Doctor:

Perhaps this clipping will interest you, seems a chance that life (unclear) be more pleasant for Ruth after she has endured so much pain and suffering. Did Miss O'Keefe inform you about Julia (unclear) disappearance? I have a feeling that she greatly needs psychiatric treatment, and am much concerned for her welfare. With all good thoughts

Sincerely

(unclear)