Helen MacHenry to James Hugh Moffatt

HOTEL BRIGHTON ATLANTIC CITY Monday May 22-1900 My dear Jamie: I have been trying awfully hard to write and congratulate you on being elected valedictorian but between all I have had to do and are in [force?] inclination to procrastination I have failed and consequently I suppose you think

I did not care - But I did and think it was [underlined: perfectly splendid]. I think the whole State should be proud of you for you have upheld the reputation Alec gave it last year. I think its [underlined: perfectly] fine. Of course you are simply working like a Trojan. how about the other thing you told me about, the one that required the long essay? Are you working

for that? You see I am at the sea shore - Papa and I are here. You know he had diptheria and it simply broke him all up so he had to come away, but I can't say that I am here for the same reason he is. I'm here to cheer him up and incidentally to have a good time

I am so sorry you were so ill, it must have put you back awfully in your work. Miss Ethel is very enthusiastic about going to Princeton and so is [uncle ?] Willy and of course its so much nicer for all your people to go where you are going to do such fine things. It is too early here to go in the ocean but I go in the pool in the Casino which is salt water and

perfectly fine. Of course it isnt a bit like it is in Summer no hordes of [shiny ?] barbarians so consequently it is much nicer. The Easter dance at home was awfully nice and there was a nice one at the Park a few weeks ago but beyond that there is no excitement to tell you about except a