Miriam Van Waters Papers. Reformatory for Women at Framingham, 1876-1970. Subseries 3. Student correspondence, 1936-1971, n.d. Correspondence: Mc-Mz, 1934-1956. A-71, folder 319. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge,

May 16, 1936

My Dear Mrs. Van Waters,

You must be having a lovely time - with your family and friends. since Easter too. but then I don't quite blame them for keeping your so long. you are such a restful - yet active person.

I know you are pleased that I am now working in Wellsley. I get a fair salary, have a darling baby just six months old - a delightful house and a charming young couple- my own room affords a lovely view of a small pond or lake. and is a front room as well. directly over the library. adjoins the nursery. we have nice grounds - lovely flowers, and you know really I had quite forgotten that birds had such beautiful songs, but I listen to them often now. last year at this time

I was non compos mentis. but I was bewildered. hadn't my bearings - but now I am on Terra firma again.

Truly tho. I miss "B.M.V.W" - (Miss Green) the other officers too. but none I admired as much she is so genuine. then you too. but Framingham isn't very far away and when you return I'll be one of your first visitors, and you too must visit me some afternoon. when you are out driving I am free from three to five - have every Tuesday off. arranged that so I could attend your class occasionaly.

Mother is so happy. I go in every week take her to a movie or luncheon - and am giving her three dollars, too - so you see I do help out a little - some day you'll meet mother she is so anxious, too. guess your family is ever on my lips.

A very disturbing thing happened - Dr. Van Waters sent me the

nicest note. I'll treasure it always - she mailed it the first of May - and I just received it yesterday - in it too. was an envelope and stamp so that I could write you. at that time you were in Rocky River, Ohio I called "B.M.VW" last evening and she gave me you present address. such a time had elapsed that I thought sure you would be home - but alas - you are still visiting. do enjoy yourself - but hurry home cause there are many here that love and need you too. Fortunately I had written Dr. Van Waters on the 6th of May. trying to thank her and express myself too - but I'll write again to-night, and explain my not answering her most cherished note- have read it five hundred-times since yesterday-

You write me won't you, when you aren't busy, and thank you endlessly for the many happy moments you gave me.

Well my dear. the cherub needs her dinner. so, I'll have to close-

Fondly Doris Murphy, 29 Damien Road. Wellsley Hills. Mas.

Phone Wellsley 2727

3/11 [N.Y.]

Dr Van Waters:

Yesterday you sent my Julia Murphy a Senior club badge & a greeting, she said when I gave it to her: "I love Dr. Van Waters - I must keep this under my pillow." (!) I promised her I would thaank you -

[M?] James

422 Maple Street, Holyoke, Mass. June 14, 1935

R My dear Mrs. Van Waters,

I suppose you think I am terrible for not writing. I wrote to the Dr. but she didn't answer my letter so I am not going to write to her anymore. You told me to write to you the day I was leaving. I went over to your house to see you before I left. Well it is almost three

2 months since I've been home and I don't seem to be doing so bad yet. You see I am taking a course in hair-dressing and I like it very much. I can give shampoos, finger waving, manicuring, and I have begun marcelling. So what do you think of that. You know Dr. Van Waters' secretary, Miss Kelly Well she has been very faithful to me. She is my parole agent and I

3. think she is just grand. She told me you had a class of girls now, boy! I bet you if I was up there I'd be in your class also because I'd never miss anything that you were in. I always thought an awful lot of you. Nearly everybody knew I did. Tell the Dr. I am still waiting for an answer to my letter I wrote