Skip to main content

Browse Items (31 total)

  • Tags: humor

February 16, 1892

Mary Leslie Newton describes a recent aurora, her attendance at Sunday school and some criticism of the sermon, and an interaction between the family cat Koko and a strange cat.


January 21, 1892

A humorous letter — in an attempt to pad the length, Mary Leslie Newton uses as many polysyllabic words as possible, and includes nearly two full pages of postscripts. She describes postcards sent to relatives, her ongoing foot problem, a cat fight,…


January 5, 1892

Mary Leslie Newton writes a humorous letter to her father, making up details to supplant the lack of news. She describes her own printing responsibilities, and asks if she might "set up as a boy" once her brother Don leaves home.


July 15, 1891

Mary Leslie Newton discusses her recent examinations in grammar, history, and geography, humorously describing the kinds of questions she had to answer. She describes her drawing lessons and mentions some social calls. She requests, in a postscript,…


July 20, 1892

Mary Leslie Newton writes a humorous introduction regarding the "business" of moving, in which she discusses when she will go to Ooltewah, the clothes she has, and what books she has and needs for teaching.


July 21, 1891

Mary Leslie Newton describes a humorous incident at church, during which a woman's excitement was interrupted by a "pinching bug" that struck Mary Leslie on the back of her neck. She describes some social calls and concern over losing an opportunity…


July 29, 1891

Mary Leslie Newton describes the lack of news, mentions issues with the typewriter, humorously describes her wishes for more news, discusses prayer-meeting, a new baby, and her role as a music teacher. A handwritten postscript asks her father to…


July 5, 1892

Mary Leslie Newton describes her excitement about her teaching job, the Fourth of July activities, and her new position as a summer school Latin teacher for another young woman.


March 10, 1892

Mary Leslie Newton continues describing the move, including the wallpaper in the new house. She also discusses her sister Halley's fondness for gum, issues with her own teeth, the weather, and recent postal delays. A postscript describes a new dress…


March 28, 1892

Mary Leslie Newton describes her continued dental issues, a series of social calls, a recent job application, and the placement of furniture throughout the new house.