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.

P.S. I am adressing the letter to Father Harrigan to you So in that way I know he will be sure to rec. before Sat.

Boston, Mass. June 24. 1948

My dear Family:

Just received your long awaited for letter this a.m, So I've written to Father Harrigan I'm enclosing the letter won't you please hand it to him personally? I think I made myself very clear about wanting to go to the hospital, I am hoping and praying to get in there as quickly as possible. I've asked Father Harrigan to send me a check for fifteen dollars, as the rent is due here on Saturday and if I don't have it, I shall have to get out, and I havn't any place else to go. Besides that I borrowed last week's rent from some one who needs the money despreateely.

THE HOLLISTON MILLS . INC. Manufacturers of Bookbinding Fabrics

2" and I was in such a panic, I promised to repay it this coming Saturday. Now, the way things stand, I havn't any possible way of paying it unless Father Harrigan sends me that money. In the meantime if Charles does get seven dollars by Saturday I shall hand it right over to the land-lady so I'll be sure of having that week's rent paid. oh, I have worried so much and lost so much weight. Only by prayer and Faith have I kept what little sanity I have. And that has kept me from doing something foolish or desperate.

I won't try to write a long letter now, I am too worried and upset. God bless you my Family.

your family, Ruth La Vache

P.S. Please ans. soon. Ruth.

July 14, 1948

Dear Doctor:

This letter seems rather depressing, Eleanor seems to have enough troubles of her own. What is your suggestion?

AM

Boston, Mass. June 26. 1948

My dear Eleanor:

Don't know why I've started to write with this crazy cock-eyed pen again, knowning how I"ll only get so far, then bingo! the thing's out of ink and I'm out of luck this time because for the simple reason I am completely out of ink. So, if I have to finish this with my pencil you'll know why. Well, Eleanor, I've been doing some heavy thinking, I've thought of the man in the bible who sold his birth right for a mess of (porridage,) or how ever it's spelled, you know what I mean. Well, here I am, - oh, yes

THE HOLLISTON MILLS. INC. Manufacturers of Bookbinding Fabrics

(over)

2" I'm going to keep my part of the bargain - But as yet as of yesterday Mrs. Ripley has not paid that poor long-suffering, and not too patient doctor. oh, I havn't given up hoping and praying that she will. That was the main reason I agreed to bury myself in that hospital. But you see he's been waiting for the bill to be paid but oh, here's the last of the ink. So being all set with my trusty pencil will continue to scribble away. Hope you to are writing over the wekend. Don't know how to figure this pen [out?] one minute it's writing and then it stops, so I give it up! Another thing I can't figure out: Why such useful, wise, intelligent people like Rabbi Liberrman at the early age of forty-one is taken, of whom the world needed so badly. And here I am, nothing to live for, yet living on and suffering day after day.