Letter from Grace McClurg to her family, October 11, 1911

Highland Pk.,
Oct. 1, 1911.

My dear Folks:
I'm alone in the house tonight and would give a pretty thing to have you here and I would set out “tea” for you all on little exquisite doilies, with solid silver and handsome cut glass and china on a beautiful mahogany table. Our new home is surely beautiful, made more so by the spirit of Mr. and Mrs. Bullard. When I compare this whole family to the Goulds, the latter pale into insignificance. I wonder if she wouldn't open her eyes to see how grandly I have been treated this week. Not that she openly did anything offensive, but just that she was not gracious. Mrs. Smith wouldn't have been nicer to me had I been some royalty in her home. As we left Sat. Morning to stay here, she told me that after a few days she will send her machine over here for me, and that in the meantime I should go over there whenever I pleased 2 so, that she would send John over with the auto for me. And she does it all so naturally. Over here, we are like three young folks playing together, except that I am older and would be more like the chaperone, having to give more of my attention to the serious things about the house. Am growing fonder of Mrs. Bullard every day and know that the winter will be pleasant for us both. She often speaks of her baby in a delightfully easy way, yet not lightly. Certainly dresses becomingly, and is most happy over the prospect. Mr. B. is about 6’3”, And as thin and jolly as tall. Very handy about the house and not the kind to make me steps but save them. My box came last evening, and this morning he asked if I wanted it open and I said I did, but that there was nothing I wanted out of it for a couple of hours yet. To my surprise, as soon as I went up to my room, here he came hugging a load of my stuff up, and came soon after with my type-writer, clear to the third floor. Am going to like my room (or rooms) Ever so much, but will tell you more about that a little later. You just ought to see my kitchen, and the first class things I have to work with. I initiated the bread mixer yesterday with splendid success. The gas range leaves nothing in its line to be wished for. We also have a fireless cooker, and electric toaster and iron, aluminum ware, etc. By another week everything will be in fine routine.

All along I have been wondering whether the folks knew about Mrs. Moore’s offer. I found out Fri. a.m. I got a letter from Mrs. Moore enclosing a check for two-hundred dollars. What do you think of that? I went to Mrs. B.’s Room to ask if she knew that I was paid up to the time I would leave, and she looked at me rather puzzled. When I told them of the check she and her mother were quite dumbfounded and not a little pleased for the expense of moving makes this saving of my wages very welcome. They made me assure them that I had made no mistake in the purpose of the two hundred. Everything has happened just at the right moment, like in a fairy book. They have had a week to show themselves, and so have I. This coming as it has will make us better friends. After paying back what I had to borrow last spring and getting my duds ready for school and paying for my glasses, etc. I will have about $75 left for the second semester. Expect to have Mr. and Mrs. Ward with me overnight when they go home. Mrs. B. said so.

Even paid she would go to her mother's for supper so that I could have the evening alone with them. Wasn't that lovely? Love to you all, from Grace

Mr. B. Came home yesterday p.m., and throwing a box of chocolates down on the table said, “there, you girls have done pretty well this week. Have some candy.”