Letter, Kate Gleason to James Gleason

[page 1]
William Gleason,
Manufacturer of Machinists Tools,
Office, Brown’s Race,

Rochester, N.Y., April 30th. 1889
Dear Jim,-
The Gertrude Crane problem is a pretty hard one to solve,
that’s a fact. And the wisest solution seems to me not to insist
on the invitation. This seems better on her account for I think she
is too proud a girl to want an invitation which was forced. If the
sentiment of your chapter is against her, it would only spoil the party
for the boys to have her there and not do her any good. And while
you are a fraternity freshman you hav’nt the right to endanger your
fraternity’s reputation by championing anyone whose reputation is
clouded even when you are as sure the cloud is unjust as we are in
Gertrude’s case. I could do it all right last spring because I am
a girl and because I had acquired a reputation for being a solid,
harmless kind of an individual in my freshman days so that people
would not suspect me of becoming frisky at that late day. What
bothers me though is what can have given rise to those stories about
Gertrude. She did’nt associate with Martha Whittimore at all, I’m
sure of that. She went out boating and driving with the Zete, Mr.
Hillebrand but she dropped him when she heard he was fast. I think
he must have told lies about her, don’t you? And as she was seen out
with him, people would believe him. I am sure she is a pure-
minded girl and the fact that she always sees the good in people
ought to be enough for I never heard of a bad character who does

[page 2]
not see the worst in his neighbors on the principle of “misery loves
company” I suppose. You can do as you like about calling on her
after the reception, it would require considerable nerve I’ll admit.
And I will do my best to heal her wounded feelings by writing
her long letters in my most fetching style and perhaps I can get off
a few days next summer to visit her.
Mother is going to have a party
this evening and she has invested in some gorgeous Roman stripe silk
to drape the parlors with. I am preparing to be overwhelmed with
admiration when the effect will burst on me at noon.
I have my fears
that your whole chapter will be plunged in gloom at the receipt of
regret cards from Miss Michel and myself.
This year Andrew’s name
appears in the directory for the first time “Andrew C. Gleason, Mach-
inist, 10 Brown’s Race, Bds. 104 Platt.” He has ordered a special copy
for his own use so that he can look at it every night and morning.
Frank gave me some interesting information on the value of
“Modjeska” yacht shares the other night. He says one stock-holder
has offered to give his share fully paid up if the recipient will
pay the new assessment of $15 just levied for taking out the center
board and changeing the keel and another member has offered to sell
for $15 and this assessment making $30. If this information is re-
liable you won’t get a great deal out of the boat towards a chapter
house but of course there is the chance of Frank’s making this thing
out worse than it is in order to strike a bargain with you.
The trustees here seem to be on the verge of deciding to let
the boys have their chapter houses on the university grounds. After
that I suppose they will be happier. Last night I managed to make

[page 3]
myself as ubiquitous as Fred Shed or Mayor Parsons. Directly after
supper, I called on Emma to find out how her ideas coincided with mine
on the invitation question, after this important interview, I went to
the Ignorance Club long enough to see Dr. Dolley again and have
everybody tell me how much they were missing me. Hav’nt had time
to go to the club but a few times this winter. Then I put in an
hour at the gymnasium where I distinguished myself in the face of
an audience of at least one hundred by putting Miss Harris and her
bran new suit on the floor in a particularly dusty spot and sitting
on her until she had taken back some disparaging remarks she made to
me. And I wound up the festivities by an hour at the Turkish bath
rooms.
You never told me how you came out on “trig” Did you manage
to secure the .60 or have you another examination in that useful
branch of knowledge to look forward to?
I am glad you made the ex-
pected impression on George Shepherd. It will encourage me to go
on with the good work and deceive somebody else into thinking you
a wonder.
Lovingly,
Kate