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 how. 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 soul to your kindness and mercy. I have held tight to the faith you caused me to have.

If only the public could see you as I do, you would never have another (over

2" worry. Mrs. Ripley know, yes, and I know Eleanor knows 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, others 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 any more to-night. 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 smilin - your familyRuth La Vache

[18 April 1948] 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.

Friday

Ruth La Vache File 4/48

Doctor:

Perhaps this clipping will [?]t you, [seems?] a chance that [?]it be more pleasant for Ruth after she has endured so much pain and suffering.

Did Miss O'Keefe inform you about [Tula?] [Bartel's?] disappearance? I have a feeling that she greaily needs psychiatric treatments, and am much concerned for her welfare.

With all good thoughts

Sincerely F[?] C [?]

(Newspaper clipping:)

Freed by Plea Of Dying Wife

The plea of a dying woman won mercy for her husband in municipal court yesterday after Judge Jennie 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 concerning the larceny, asked permission of a court officer to speak to Judge Barron and showed her a ltter 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 wordlessly left the court.

Friday

Ruth La Vache File 4/48

Doctor:

Perhaps this clipping will interest you, [seems?] a chance that life can't be more pleasant for Ruth after she has endured so much pain and suffering.

Did Miss O'Keefe inform you about [Tula?] [Bartel's?] disappearance? I have a feeling that she greaily needs psychiatric treatments, and am much concerned for her welfare.

With all good thoughts

Sincerely F[?] C [?]