Letter, James Gleason to Kate Gleason
A letter to Kate Gleason from her brother, James Gleason. Jim tells Kate about a student in Sage College who got chicken pox and the resulting vaccinations. He updates her on the preparations for the postponed masquerade at Cornell University, an event for Juniors, and other upcoming festivities, which he urges Kate to attend.
[page 1]
Jan’y 27 – 89
Dear Kate,-
The girl with the
varioloid is Miss Moon. She
has gone home, but will come back
and reenter the University Feb 1.
The doctors decided it was a case
of chicken pox. The New York papers
including the Police Gazette had
some very interesting cuts of the
Sage girls getting vaccinated.
Also long accounts of an interview
with Miss Moon with scenes from
the sick room at the University
barn. Here is a talk between
two of her physicians;
Old doctors; I detect a smell from on
the patient this morning that is a
[page 2]
sure case sign of small pox.
Young doctors; nonsense the odor
comes from the pig pen.
The masquerade comes off next
Friday night, so please be so
kind as to send the costume Wed, or
Thursday. I didnt send the
postal countermanding the order for
the costume last time, because I
wasnt sure the masquerade was
postponed. Jack Batton countermanded
the order given to [illegible] before
He was sure of the postponement.
I called on Miss Crane, and
am just comeing along in that
direction, judging from our one
meeting. Miss Boynton has
taken it into her head that she
wants you to come to the junior
I told her to tell you to take
a trip here on Grover, it
would be fine if you would or
[page 3]
could come to the Junior, but
it knowing the state of your
wardrobe as I do perhaps it
would be hard to do it. But
certainly you could come to some
of the masquerades or Sage festivities.
Next week comes the KAT Masquerade.
Week following on Friday night
comes the Junior, and the week
after that the K.K.G. of Sage
hold forth. So take your pick
of course you can consider you are
invited. The boys urged me
very hard to go to the Junior, and
I told them I would go if you
would come to go with me not otherwise, so
I am safe enough. You
proposed some time ago to be so
kind as to give us a table spread
Now if you would give us one
for a table eighteen inches square
18”
[page 4]
we will be yours truly.
Glad Williams will be at the
shop next summer, He will
earn his pay likely.
Miss McAllister hasnt called
on me for anything cash
yet, and I have therefore
$21. on hand.
Yours
Jim.