Klette letters

{preprinted: Stanford University Museum} Stanford University, Cal. Aug. 30, 1904. Dear Birdie: Everything ready to begin study. tomorrow. Am permanently located at Palo Alto Berrett and a number of the old boys are [home?] yet. Will write in a day or two. Mean while you know where to get news. [?] Ernest.

{preprinted: COMPLIMENTS FIRST NATIONAL BANK PALO ALTO, CAL}

SC 103 Box I Folder II

{preprinted: POST CARD 1} {circular postage stamp: FRESNO {circular postage stamp: PALO ALTO, CAL AUG30 AUG 30 11-30P 230PM 04 1904} CAL}

Miss Bertha Klette Fresno, CA c/o [?] Graff & Co.

{preprinted: THIS SIDE IS FOR THE ADDRESS ONLY}

The Lotus Club 235 Emerson Street Palo Alto, California

Stanford University Calif. Oct 11, 1904.

My Dear Birdie:Here comes that letter you have been looking for. So you want to know all about the reception at Mrs. Stanford. Well four of us boys from the Club went together, and took straight across on her private drive. It was as dark as pitch but that did not matter, as I knew the way quite well and we sang Stanford songs till they could hear us three miles. [When?] we arrived, we found a few there ahead of us. In entering I shoved the door a little to one side to get by, and in doing so it evidently touched a knob and started a little music box going, which was hid away somewhere in the corner. Mrs. Stanford met us in the hall and escorted us into the Library. In a few minutes the entire seventy of us were there, but we all felt rather awkward, and the girls got on one side of the room and the boys on the other, and we looked at each other. Mrs. Stanford tried to get us to mix but we would not mix that is just yet. She led us into the Parlor where we sang America, but when we got back into the library we were no more mixed than before. But some ladies who belonged to the house learned our names and took us around and introduced us to the girls and soon we all felt at home. Mrs. Stanford and the new organist each made us a speech after which we went to the dining room and had supper. We had plenty to eat, lemonade, ice cream,

coffee, cake of various colors and brands, sandwiches, candy and grapes, and when we got through there appeared to be as much left as when we started. From here we wandered to all parts of the house open to us, but most went to the parlor where we had plenty of music and singing, and every one was signing napkins as souvenirs. We sang a great many Stanford songs which appeared to please Mrs Stanford very much. At eleven o'clock the party broke up and as we gathered on the steps after saying goodbye, we sang a pretty little song "Good Bye Mrs. Stanford" to the tune of "Merrily we roll along" We all agreed that it was one of the pleasantest evenings which we had ever experienced.

There was a movement on foot among us to get a choir director last week as we organized the choir, and I was elected President. It looks now as if we will have to put in a vigorous protest against being locked in the choir loft on Sunday[s?]. The minister is so afraid that we will not hear his sermons that he had us locked in the loft until after services. I have not learned much more about not[e?]s than I knew when I came here. I merely know when they go up and when they go down, and usually guess at the distance which I have to jump, and usually strike it about right. We enjoy the singing very much, especially when the organist grabs his head with both hands as if about to faint, when we make a break.

My studies keep me very busy now, and there is a little time each day that I am not sitting with a pen in my hand, writing out cases or taking notes. I could not carry another course if I tried. I should like very much to enter upon one of the debating teams, but I cannot find time

to do so.

You should not suppose that you are in the way where you are, for the girls are very glad to have you. Ada speaks of you in almost every letter. If Smith is prompt in his payments, which I think he will be you will be able to go ahead and build soon. In building, all that I would say is do not get a house so large that you cannot keep it in shape. Rather a small coosy house, than a large one which is unfurnished and unkept.

We have had about five inches of rain already here, and everything is looking beautiful, except the roads, which try to hang onto your [heels?] and go with you. A party of us are contemplating a four or five days trip into the Santa Cruz mountains in the spring. There is a state park there which is almost inaccessible excepting on foot.

Today I joined the Y.M.C.A. not as a regular, but as an associate member. The associate members are not members of any churches, but merely lend their aid to the good work of the Association. The head man of the association here is a Selma man by name of Dun[c?]an.

It is getting near midnight so must close. Will have to write to Pa and Lena soon. With love to all, I remain as ever.

Your loving Brother Ernest