Payne correspondence

[written] 29

[typed] Monday May 17 '97

Nannie dearest -

I haven't time for much of a letter. Am very fortunate in my this semester work - only one examination and that a snap - so practically my work is all done and that woithout any extra later. When I was a freshman I took it for granted that I had to do a great deal of sitting up of nights etc but now I take it for granted that the one thing to do is to go to bed and get plenty of sleep by way of preparing for an ex. counts more than cramming.

The borowine arrived beautifully and I shall take it just as prescribed even to not treating the girls which amused me very much as Miriams poor Presbyterian little stomach has just found out the comfort of a sip of port now and then.

The idea of your worrying about and lying awake nights ! That must be the inconsistency of love - 9 for here I am sleeping all night as well and happy as a clam and you bothering about me. Nonsense. I am afraid you haven't confidence enough in the heavenly Father.

I have just been talking withP Prof. Barnes and he has just offered to write me a letter of recommendation to a friend of his Mr. head man of the Fiske teacher's agency for me to send to him whenever I need it. Miss Darrah has offered also to write a letter for my disposal. Both are great boones and favours and I am perfectly delighted. I wonder what makeds people so lovely anyway.' Have written Mrs. Myrick to come down for the evening of the promenade concert. Have been writing a paper ion Antigione and Cordelia for Profl Anderson Also one on Browning's Columbes birthday. Bothe I enjoyed very much - only wish he would.

Theodora and I are going to go up to the Myricks for a week or so as soon as college closes. She has been spending a week here while her boys are at encampment.

Haven't time to write more - don't worry - when there is a good time to I'll let you know

Lovingly Rose.

[written] 30

[typed] May 31 - '97 San Jose at Gertrudes

Nannie dearest -

Well, well, the very first Sunday after the routine was over I missed writing my letter to you- not that I did anything that day - but just luxuriated in my laziness from morning till night. The week has been such a full one and has ended by my finding myself here at Mrs. McMillans eating my head off at her excellent table. I don't know which end to begin but guess with this morning's happiness - for Gertrude, after she saw Theodora off for Stanford on the 8o'clock train, went with me out to the cemetery. We started a little after eight o'clock with Punch and the Phaeton and had such a happy cool ride and found the dear resting place beautifully kept. I had gotten the St. Joseph lilies from the altar at church the evening before that Miss Wakefield so very kindly offered and you can picture how pretty each mound looked with its two stalks of pure lilies. It is Memorial Day of course and before we left many people had begun coming out. We drove around town in the same old jog fashion and I had a satisfactory little talk with Mr. Gostey- just to let him know that Theodora had gone to the University for the summer work and could be easily reached by telephone. I like him ever so much and feel sure he is doing his level best for the Payne estate.

Of course, Theodora has told you about the day or two here and calling upon Aunty Carry and Auntie Sue and Mrs Ballou who are all well and inquiring about you. The last commencement days were full of utmost confusion a. The most delightful thing was the Promenade Concert - the night was just warm enough mild and bright with stars - the dear Quad was outlined with chinese langterns and San Francisco's best orchestra gave the most beautiful music near the east entrance - the whole reminded me more of the World's Fair than anything else - all of the short arcades were transformed into pretty booths where different sets of girls met their friends and served refreshments. Prof.Allardice gave a little dinner party just before inviting two Miss Risings-daughters of Prof. Rising of Berkeley - who were visitinging the university, Grace Barstow, a Mr. Stadmiller from S.F. Mrs Myrich for chaperone and myself. It was the most charming dinner I was ever at- deliciously cooked and so daintily served with Prof. Young passing the coffee or passing the champagne and Prof. Allardice carving the roast. It certainly takes men to entertain beautifully. I felt very honored to have my first and last promendde with Prof. Allardice and to have him escort me home.

In your last letter you asked about Mr. Pomeroy - he was assistant professor in law last year but is now practising in the city and is a great friend of the Myricks where I met him - he is the son of the great law text book maker and jurist - don't be alarmed about him he is harmless and likes to call and make himself entertaining. I find my most congenial friends among the youngn professors - though the boys are lovely yet their tastes grow toward freshmen girls as mine grow toward freshmen. the faculty.

Mr. and Mrs. Teggart asked me to tea during commencement and I found them spending a few last days in a dear little cottage before moving into another still dearer little cottage just newly built - the have the most rollicking sixteen month old baby - so intelligent and jolly - light like the mother, but with the father's features. The tea was deliciously cooked and served by Mrs. Teggart - Mrs. Maitland and her Helen were there and the table talk was so bright and entertaining - all about politics

[written] May 31 '97 31

[typed] abroad and at home or books. Mr. Teggart asked me to join the faculty book club just started - which I am delighted to do as it is a very good one besides being quite a compliment to be a member as none of the students are asked. I must finish this in the morning as I am going to get a clear water bath this evening and mustn't be late about it.

Tuesday morning

You don't know how unmanageable my pen is - now that I don't have to use it it insists upon all over the paper. The Taggarts inquired about you and said they often thought of you and your sweet ways. There were one of two other little bui dinners and things during commencement - one at the Hodges the architects family where Mr. March the new librarian is always to be found. The best of all was having the girls mothers come. Mrs. Morrison - Marylyns Main's mother - and Mrs and Miss Colt, beside the San Jose mothers - Mrs. Maclaren, Mrs. Park and Mrs. Phillips, It was so lovely to see some older people in the Hall - all there are so young. Laura, Miriam, Alice, Charlotte, and Helen took their degreesI will send the programme and then you must imagine how pretty the girls looked in these fresh organdies and grass linens. You don't know how much good I have gotten from my dear little organdie that is so Frenchy with the pretty hat - by the way the little pink and blue striped shirt waists are too dear for anything - they go so prettily with my blue suit[illegible] Theodora's silk, and the stockings, handkercheifs, and things came over a week ago and I am duly mortified to think their receipt is not acknowledged - how pretty the silk is! Just like a waist Miss Wickerham had on at the Jordan reception. You know how acceptable all the other things are, especially the stockings as I was just on the point of buying some. You must have heard me swearing at the dearth of pins clear across the continent but let me assure you my exclamations have vastly improved since I have all kinds in plenty.

Oh I forgot to tell you about the Jordan reception to the seniors - a number of upper classmen helped to serve - Marylyn, Kitty and I among the number and it was great fun - everyone was there from far and near. I had such a pleasant visit with the Breners who came down from San Mateo and Mrs. Stanford was very cordial - she has already rem always remembered the call we girls made and appreciated it so much. The music was beautiful - a S.F. Orchestra and Mrs. Jordan looked very pretty in a new black brown and red gown. Of course the faculty senior baseball game was great fun and the faculty were beaten by almost 20-10 - the seniors all came on the field in a chinese trot and dressed in chinese clothes with long ques hanging down their backs. The faculty has a beautiful new baseball ground but it doesn't seem to improve their playing.

Yesterday afternoon I spent in getting clean - Gertrude shampooed my hair and manicured my nails and in the evening I had such a good bath - Miriam came in a little while after dinner with a cardinal neck-tie and it seemed so good to see a Stanford person even if it is only three days since I left there. Today I go up to Mrs. Myricks and stop off at the university to get my things and do some errands. Carrie is going to leave the Hall this vacation and I have been writing a recommendation for her and have been helping her off a little.

I must also call on Mrs. Gilman and Mrs. Teggart before I go away. When I am in the city I am going to see the Fishes in Martinez and also Mrs. Frymribille who lives quite near Mrs. Myrick. I don't know just what I'll do the last two months of vacation but guess something will turn up.

[written] May 31 '97 32

[typed] Your letter to Theodora was forwarded from San Mateo here and reached San Jose just after she left - it has been tantalizing not to know the contents but I shall deliver it to her to-day at the university. Theodora must have told you about Dr. Wakefield's and Miss Wakefield's callThey certainly have been lovely to Theodora and me - indeed everybody isThanks to Mama and Papa. It is nearly time for me to go to take my train so I must end this awful scrawl -

Be sure and don't worry about Toodles for everyone exclaims about my healthy appearance. I certainly ne was never better in my life - I do hope you are the same and have entirely recovered from the grip+ -

Bye bye Rose.

[written] Sept 3 - '96 33

[typed] Saturday Night -

My dear, darling Nannie -

Rain, rain, has begun in earnest, Helen and I walked to Palo Alto about five o'clock and were caught in the heaviest kind of a shower, we were simply drenched. Saw dear Prof. Anderson there, his spirits were as undampened as ours and we stood in the pouring rain

. Poor Mrs. Anderson's mother is sinking fast and Prof. A. has been sitting up all night with her till they could get a nurse and he delivered excellent lectures at the same time. Thank you so much for sending the Shelley. I am so sorry I didn't stipulate sending it C.O.D. for I fear the expense will be quite heavy - I am dying for he letter to come. Am glad you liked "no.9". Have no recollection of anything extraordinary that has happened this past week. All the Zete boys were over last evening & we danced. To-day Mrs. Fairclough had a little tea for the St. Agnes guild, we had a very pleasant little informal time with delicious sandwiches and cake with our tea. Mrs. Nicholas was a very deaf, very sweet faced, quite middle-aged woman, and Miss Nichols about sixteen looked quite like her father, very large & well built.

Sunday Morning

It is a rainy, rainy morning and I am going to stay home and "catch up" instead of going to church. I didn't go to Theodora's, as they have measles there besides its being so stormy, changed my mind about it last night when I had a letter from her.

Have I told you the great good fortune that has reached us here at Roble. Mrs. Peasly the Bakery woman whom Helen & I dined with last term is here in the Hall in charge of the kitchen & dining room. She is as good as good can be and the food has suddenly become excellent & clean. The first day she threw away about half of the meat it was so bad. Sickness in Hall might brought about the change, I am proud to know I had some little share in getting her here. Next term it is very very probable that the Roble girls have Encina Hall. A large parlour will be thrown open, a reading room, too, and the beautifull diningroom will have good food & service. This is Dr. Jordan's cherished plan so no doubt it will come about. Of course all the girls in college will be expected to board there. and the boys will have to shift for themselves.

Sunday Afternoon September 5 - 1897

I am back here at beautiful Stanford (Oh! how I love it) and my room is prettier than ever, I certainly shall have a picture of it to send to you this year. I stayed in San Jose till Tuesday dividing Auntie Sue's time with Muriam who was alone while her father & mother were away. Ever since I came here I have been busy arranging my room and it is lovely - Mary Caldwell, my room-mate, came Friday. Helen Lathrop is here in the Hall and there is such a lovely class of Freshmen girls. The dining-room is wonderfully dainty and pretty all refurnished as to dishes and glassware, spoon & linen, with such good things to eat, today we had cream & oyster soup, chicken & real raspberry jelly with a dessert of ice cream. So you see we have nothing to complain of except that my time is so short & that all this didn't come sooner. I had a lovely long talk with Prof. Anderson the other