Letter, James Gleason to Kate Gleason
A letter to Kate Gleason from her brother, James Gleason. Jim mentions that a cement walkway is being built outside of their family’s tool shop and wonders what people will think of the combination of their “refined selves together with machine shop smut.” He suggests that Kate write to someone at Sage Hall and ask if she can stay there during her visit to Ithaca. He gives her details about a picnic she is expected to attend while she is there. He reports on the marriage of Miss Brett and on the person who will escort a Rockefeller around Cornell’s campus.
[page 1]
Cornell University.
Ithaca, N.Y., May 11 1890
Dear Kate;
The firm must be
prosperous to afford the extravagance
of a cement walk, perhaps the
building of so many gear planers
is the cause for all this.
It is very likely that Nan McDonald
alias Mrs Dudley —- will not be
taken with our refined selves
together with machine shop smut
after her stay with the British Aristocracy.
Miss Brett is to marry an episcopal
minister, evidently not a Cornellian.
That is the way the world goes
I wonder how her old flame Burnett
stands the news. This is another
case of Coville-Dix-Boynton.
I inquired and found out that there is
room in Sage for visitors. In fact
[page 2]
scarcely a week goes by but two or three
visitors come or go. I should think
it would be safer to write and get a
room for sure. Miss Langly is visiting
at Sage, and Blood is here with us.
Your letter of May 10 just come.
Also the satchel has arrived
containing the cuff buttons.
Jack Battin will be the escort
for Miss Rockefeller, of course it
is taken for granted that she is
related to the millionaire by that
name. He feels highly honored and
will no doubt do the thing up brown.
Mr Gilbert is still superintendent of
Sage, though a man named White
lives there and has charge. Mr Gilbert
would be the man to write to.
[page 3]
Everyone is anxiously looking forward
for your arrival. Numerous Sage
girls inquire for you every day.
I have a piece of sad news for you
and you must bear up bravely.
The fellows take it for granted that
you will go to the picnic with me,
this suits me all right but will
not be exciting for you. Joe Cowles
has already asked Miss Kerr and
the other fellows I feel delicato
about striking for you. All the
desirable ones have engaged girls
before they heard of your intended
arrival for that day. Frank Ide
would be most delighted in the honor
but you know he is warranted
to crawl into his shell on such
[page 4]
occasions and he might act as a
damper. I think you will enjoy
my easy flow of talk nearly as well
as his, and if Benjamin Snow
dont come forward we will call
it a go. Broughton is off after
another now. Miss Norton is his
latest and he made an
engagement for the picnic.
Yours
Jim.