Ranger, Vallejo, Cal.

Oct 21 – 1882.

 

Dear Alice,

                        I sent you a birthday present. I hope you will receive it all right, and consider it good for Birthday, Xmas & New Years too. I thought you would like it better that way, than having some smaller gifts each time of less value.

 

            I don't want you to wear jewelry at all times, particularly when going to school, as it looks out of place there, would look what is usually called "shoddy".

 

            I was almost persuaded by Mrs Potts to buy a China crape shawl, silk, something like a small shawl, but am glad I didn't. Mrs Denig suggested a bangle and I am much better pleased with it than would have been with the shawl. 

 

So much for the bangle,—now I am going to ask a few things of you.

 

You telegraphed me some time ago about Worcester, and then Mama wrote me about your getting some pictures taken of yourself, &c, in Bloomfield, then of your wanting to go in the High School classes at Worcester, &c. I want you to be more willing to be guided in these and some other matters by Mama, before you spend your money in such things I would rather you would consult her, as of course she knows better than you what is best. Don't ever be ashamed of consulting with, or being guided by your Mother, she will prove a better and a safer friend than any you will ever find.

 

            I was frightened when I / got the telegram & saw your name at bottom, before I read what it said. I was sorry you spent your money for that. I was sorry to have you go away from the New York schools, as I would prefer you and Frank should stick to one school & one system, but I thought more of your health than anything else, so preferred you should go to Worcester, where I know you would all be better & healthier while I was away. You have a good home in Worcester, and have much to be thankful for.

 

            I wish I could be with you, but while I am away let Mama be your guide, in everything.

 

            About those pictures,—dont have any more taken and distributed without Mama's knowledge and consent.

 

            And about the High School / classes in Worcester I should have been better pleased if you had been willing to have gone in the 9^th grade. Your average was very low, & the Superintendent I think was right when he said you ought to go in the 9^th grade. It is better to be thorough in your studies. Don't be in a hurry to graduate, you have lots of time. I want you to be well posted in History, Grammar, & all your other studies when you leave school, so you can fit yourself for a teacher, a musician, or perhaps if you travel be able to write of what you see for the papers, be able to do some thing in case you have to, but first thing tho' you want is a thorough education, & now is the best time for that.

 

Then you want to have a knowledge of one other language besides your own, so if you can study French and music with Mama, at odd times, don't lose the opportunity. it will be far better than wasting all your spare time reading novels, &c, a little of this will be very well, but not too much.

 

            Read those letters in the daily papers from people in foreign countries & see if you could not some day write better than they.

 

            I am afraid you will have to study pretty hard to keep up with the scholars in the High School. I hope you wont get sick, trying to catch up.

 

            I have thought some that I would like you to go to Vassar, at Poughk- / keepsie, when you get through with the public schools, but I don't know, yet, what to say. It will depend on your health and other matters that I cannot explain here. First we must look out for what is most useful, after that the ornamental. If anything should happen to Mama & I, I should want you to be able to teach or do something for yourself, then you would not be dependent on other people, as I think every one ought to be able to do something, whether they have plenty of money or not.

 

            I am awful anxious for this year to pass, it seems so long since I saw you. I hope you will all keep well while I am away this trip. I think you & Mama & I will have to take a / trip somewhere when I get back, or else the next summer, would like to have had you come out here, but there is no good place to stay, nothing of interest to see, & costs too much. Had rather take a trip to England for three months, than three months here. Cost half the money.

 

            Try & do or say something to please Uncle Geo or Aunt Anna once in a while. You have a nice home there, it was very kind of him to have you come there instead of to a boarding house. I wish I could board there I can tell you.

 

            I want you & Frank / to write me end of each month, oftener if you can, tell me what you do & what you study. And while I think of it I want you to try & break the habit of writing the way Mamy & Silla Ayers write. I think a neat round hand like Satie or Carrie Welch writes is so much better, & you will find many people think the same. Don't say you can't help it, for of course you can if you try.

 

            I have written a very long letter. Write me when you have chance, 1^st of the month if you can. try & remember what I have written you. Give much love to Uncle Geo & Aunt Anna, Uncle Joe & family, Grandma & everybody else, Much love for yourself,

                                                                                                                       

Papa. /

 

[envelope]

 

Tell Mama I had not room to say good bye, I got to the end of my last sheet before I thought. Much love to all, will write again before middle of week. I will just about have time to hear from you if you write soon as you get this. do so. Goodbye          George.

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