Papers of the Benjamin Franklin Yancey Family

May Elizabeth Yancey to Harriet Anna Yancey, undated

Clothing and fashion | Education--other | Education--school-related activities | Education--studying | Gifts and money | Place--Virginia, other

May Yancey discusses her senior year activities at the Virginia Normal & Industrial Institute with her mother, Harriet Yancey. She tells her mother about fees that need to be paid before graduation.

Darling Mother,

both of your letters today And was indeed glad to hear from you. I am fine & hope you are likewise your letters dear Mother are a source of inspiration to me. I love to read them many, many thanks for the money you sent me. it is money, money, all the time but I hope it wont be like this always. Well I have to have costume in the class play and our costumes have to be fitting for the part we play so mine cost $2.50 some are costing as high as $9.00 so you see things are quite

(page 2)

expensive. then we are having field day exercises and have to have costumes for them, but I am going to get it out of the $1.00 you sent me for extra change as they are cheap. Short gingham dresses and wide straw hats. We are some busy now practicing for our class play & we have to make our own costumes also practicing for Gymastics exercises, & Above all studying for our final test and the teachers are marking us some hard knowing we are seniors they dont have any sympathy at all. Mother I know you are praying for me and I hope with the Lords will and my efforts I shall pull thru

(page 3)

all ok. We are having our final exams for our graduating on next Thursday & Friday. We are leaving here on the 12th of June but we are having our exams early so as to get our selves ajusted for our class play & for the night we recd. our diplomas. We havent recd. rings or pictures as yet but hoping to soon. so I know the Lord will answer my prayers if I am in earnest and I am nothing worries me except Math. And I have that test the first hr. next Thursday morning from 8 until 10 two hours. So please think of me on that day and time. Mother I wish the friend of yours which is Very nice to send me a nice pr.

(page 4)

of chiffon Gunmetal hose with pointed heel please we are given a reception at the president residence week after next I think so I would like to have them for there & also graduation. no I shall not worry about board but they are sending letter around to students who are back in board but thank the Lord I only owe for one month so I did not get one. every penny I get I have to use it for something for the senior class. Well I hope to see you in About 3 wk. from now I have bushels to tell you. I shall be happy when next week comes and I am thro my exams, providing I pass as I am almost sick from studying. No rest & study & they are such a strain so I will get down on my knees & thank the Lord if I pull thro ok. Much love & tell Roger to hurry on with invitations.

love to all. Lord Bless you. Thanks for Cookies delicious. also money.
May

Thanks for the costume money

Published by: Virginia Center for Digital History

Source copy consulted: Papers of the Benjamin Franklin Yancey (MSS 11599), Alderman Library, University of Virginia

Text and images (c) copyright 2001, by the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia

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