Miriam Van Waters Papers. Reformatory for Women at Framingham, 1876-1970. Subseries 3. Student correspondence, 1936-1971, n.d. Correspondence: T, 1948-1971. A-71, folder 341. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

[Melba Tyler]

Feb. 3, 1948 Midnight

Dear Rita:

I bet you're surprised at my writing to you, I promised to- remember? Well I arrived home safely. Went to church with my mother Sunday night every one accepted me into the community again, so as fearful as I was of what might happen when I went out I passed the crisis. Rita you dont know how glad I am to be out in [civilization?] again [Bongo Bongo?] I dont want to go back to the jungle ever again. (smile) You know Rita I don't [care?] what they say about the girls in

the Reformatory, I made my very best friends there. And I do mean friends. You all (or shall I say we) had your faults, but one fact is very clear. You also had your best [parts?], you talked to me when I was depressed and it really did a lot of good so did Cassie Smith, Ruth Bernard, Helen Jones, Dorothy Jette, [?]. I could name many more. Those are the girls I will never forget. Even when they were in the lowest ruts they still [?] about the 'baby'. God knows I needed someone to pamper me because it made me realize that there are some people in this world who are true friends, regardless of their former mistakes in life. Rita I want you to take some of the advice you gave me. Smarten up. And dont give up Remember this much to every wanderer there is a home. It all depends on when you start making it start making something of your self. You're not stupid, any girl [you?] could handle that farm the way you did ought to have some goal to reach in life. If there is anything I can do for other girls, by my experience in life I will certainly try to do my best in saving other girls from making the mistake, that I and many others made. Rita I'm going to make good if tis the last thing I do. I know what I want from life and I'm going to get it

Even if it means working terribly hard to achieve it. Now tell Hadley, Lindy Blake, [Shay?] Bunce, [Dellie?], lill, and the other kids, I send my love. tell [?] not to for get what I told her just before I left, and tell her to be good, and (Answer soon) settle down, it pays [?] in the end.

I will write [later?] to the other kids. I am gooing to see Vivian Rose as soon as things get straightened out. I am going to be home all day Thursday and Sunday, May drop by in a few weeks Please be good. It pays although it may take years. We all are entittled to our share of happiness and no one in this world can take it away

Working Address 43 Center St. North Boston Mass.

Home Address 26 [Old Colony Sq?] Brockton, 3, Mass.

Yours, [Melba Tyler?]

Sept. 20, 1948

A.M. Please write a courteous letter / as she suggests MVW

Dear Doctor Van Water:

Will you kindly write to Mr. George Matny of 382 W. Water St. And ask him to please send my wrist watch and fountain pen. This is the fourth time I've asked him to send it. The last answer was I [wont?] send it but I bring it the 19th which was yesterday. He still did'nt show up. I wish you could please get these things for me.

Melba Taylor