Letters, and English exam

1.

Palo Alto, Cal.

Sept. 10, 1895.

Dear Ma etc:

I went to the post office after supper, and a fine supper that was and received Tillie's letter. The first letters I have received from home. I don't know what has become of Annie's letter, with the $20 but I will look it up to-morrow. I think it must be at the University post office. You know there are two offices, one at the University campus and the other in Palo Alto. I asked several times at the University office but the girl said nothing had come. Maybe she made a

mistake. She don't seem to be very exact any way.

But I'm in a pretty awkward position. I guess you know how it is. I have been two days to school without books but that didn't amount to much as we didn't have much to do anyway. I went to my Civil Engineering class 1a. this afternoon and found that I had to supply myself with a list of drawing material as designated on the enclosed sheet of paper. It says that it amounds to about $17.00. which to my mind is quite a sum for drawing instruments. But I suppose its all right. I also found at that there was a Chemical Laboratory fee, of

2.

$15.00 per semester. The course is supposed to occupy a year but I am going to try to do it in one semester, thereby saving $15.00. I don't know if I can do it though. IT wont hurt to try. Its pretty expensive to go to Stanford although tuition is free.

I'll stand off the board bill for this month till Annie sends me some more money and with the $20 sent I will pay the registrar $10.00, registration fee, and buy my books. I imagine books are not any too cheap. My room mate has one of the books I need,

that he will let me take. I also have my laundry bill which is pretty big this week, as I did'nt want to give the wash out till I was shure I would have some money to pay for it when it came. I will get my old shoes fixed, too. I think I will have the shoemaker stretch my new shoes as they are a little narrow.

It seems like I have been away a month already. I got my violin out and another student living in the same house with me has a banjo. We play some times. Of course it dont sound much like any thing but, it's music anyway. Any thing goes. Theres a lady next door who comes over and plays the piano. She is a fine player.

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Annie say for me to write if I want any books. Of course books are fine but a fountain pen would come in handier just now. The University has a fine library.

try again. Those instruments at Throop are good ones and are cheap. Instruments are very expensive up here. Throop imports them and sells them to students at cost. If you can't find mine you might get one off them as the sest that I paid $7.50 at Throop would cost about $20 here. Of course I dont need such a fine one but I will use drawing instruments all though the 4 years course and after that for that matter. And I think I might as well get a good one right away as get half a dozen poor ones.