Letter from Grace McClurg to her family, 1911

My dear folks:
Have just gotten back from Evanston and I'm going to write as hard as I can for half an hour. Was alone most of the day and went into E. Only late this p.m. Wrote a few postals and a long letter to one of the girls in India. Am gradually getting my correspondence up to date. Laughed around with the girls in the hall a little while, stayed long enough to see Mary Butcher give one of the girls on the stairs a punching for teasing her so that the men waiting in the parlor could hear. Ed, Mary is a regular trump. I surely do enjoy her friendship. Went over to the Dildines. The baby's both piled on my lap and clamored for a song. Came home after lunch. Not lonesome tonight, but would give worlds to see Vert. Wish it weren't so hard to forget. Smith seems like a far off person tonight. The fight will be unusually hard until after Christmas is over.

This past week has been the busiest since I came. Took me all day Wed. To finish the ironing and was all in Thurs. The house-cleaning that day was a drag. Gave up my Fri. off for it was Mrs. Smith's birthday and Mrs. B. wanted a dinner party for her. I was assured some time ago that Mr. Cowan, the brother-in-law, is a perfect crank about his eating. Didn't bother me, for I thought if I did my best and he was dissatisfied, I was not to blame. But he told Mrs. B. that she has a fine cook. The dinner was a success. The roast chicken was done to a turn. The mashed potatoes, piping hot, rice, and puffy. Canned Lima beans. Then came the salad then the maple ice-cream (frozen in the fireless cooker) With the birthday cake. That was a great success. of course there was after dinner coffee, nuts, candy, jelly, olives, etc. The jelly was her “choice” glass, put on for the occasion, which I had made out of crab apples. It was beautifully clear and tested fine but was too stiff, too much so for Mr. C. who criticized terribly when I happened to be in the room. He thought Mrs. B. Made it. I was nearly convulsed, and Mr. Bullard (the only face I could see) was giving me the most roguish looks. Mr. Cowan couldn't pick on anything else and is quite a tease, so began on the jelly again, saying ever so many tantalizing things. After I went back into the kitchen all at once I heard them all laughing hard and knew he had been asked to drop the subject of jelly. When I next came in he half apologized and turned it off in a joke. Mrs. Bullard Cried after they went away, being sure he didn't like the dinner at all, that he is so fond of jelly, and didn't have any (she took what he had away from him) etc. etc. Her mother and Mr. B. Tried to reassure her, but the shower had to pass. He ate the heartiest of the five, and I know he enjoyed every mouthful, even the first bite of jelly. Learned out of her cookbook to cover a chicken for roast with a paste of flour and butter. Had the chicken all pasted up ready for the oven when she happened into the kitchen and pointed her finger almost scornfully at the foul. When I told what the smear was, her face lighted up and she said that that was probably why my chickens are always so juicy. At bed-time, I heard her telling her mother how I had fixed the chicken, and I knew she was satisfied. Only by straws like that do I know which way the wind blows. She would not say much if she were not satisfied. I realized that I am her first “maid” and come at an unfavorable time. Things are ideal from a “maid’s” standpoint, with a good deal besides, but I have the feeling that she will appreciate me more after I am gone than now. But I am not in a great hurry for Feb. to come. In fact the time is going too fast.

Took my day off yesterday instead. Had a wisdom tooth filled and spent the rest of the day “shopping.” I have finished my Christmas purchases and most of the dry-goods buying I planned to indulge in. Got a white cotton voile for my graduation dress and a green and white striped lawn for school. Also white shirt waist and skirt. Will send samples next week. Will try to get them cut and fit and have Aunt Jane finish them for I do not want Mamma to have to think of it, and she will not be strong enough. Would like to have you all in to see the stores now, they are so pretty. Will send a list of my Xmas wants next week. Hadn't decided on anything for I haven't given it much thought. Glad to get Pearl's letter. She wrote me the middle of the week. She always does write such interesting letters. I dreamed last night that she had brought one of those hankys home for our inspection. It had a seam down the middle, and was coarsely buttonholed around the edge. Going to C.T.S. For Thanksgiving. Wish I had a pair of magic boots so that I could be spirited away to get dinner at home that day. Will be with you in spirit. Mamma, I will not be uneasy about your misfortune, hoping for good out of it.

Mrs. Hyde writes, “Sometimes these mothers are made to stop, when otherwise they wouldn't.” The stop will no doubt do you good, and I try to think of that rather than the hardship it brings. I could hug Ruth, if I had her, for working so well in the harness. Ruth, you never will be sorry.

Will close this and get it off in the morning. Have been writing an hour. Will have to set my alarm 1/2 hour later of it is wash morning.

Lovingly,
Grace