Hill Country Living
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By Coulter Fussell
It’s a Wagner Week and here is a 1904 letter to college-aged George from one of my favorite high maintenance friends of his, Elma C.M.
Dear George,
Will it make your heart go pit-a-pat to receive a letter from W.V. in a feminine hand, possibly it is from “dear Alice?” I came down here Wednesday night amid many besiegings to stay over to the St. Anthony’s dance and a Lyceum entertainment Friday night, and Dr. Seathers entertained a few friends on Saturday night. But knowing how it would always be something I literally TORE myself away.
You can’t know how very much I enjoyed my visit home. Everybody was lovely to me. The Guins are so pleasant and nice and seem to be taking such good care of everything. The most ridiculous thing was that somebody told them I was so opposed to renting the house that I wouldn’t speak to them and a great many unpleasant things. They confided to Miss Ella that they were afraid to meet me but were agreeably surprised and charmed, etc. Mr. Guin insisted that I visit them. Wouldn’t that kill you, visiting in your own house? Everything was just as we left it.
They have begun the new buildings at the Campus. I am perfectly disgruntled with it all! They are just sticking wings on each side of the Lyceum. Don’t you know they will spoil it? They are going to have the gymnasium in the basement. Poor Mrs. Jones will be completely isolated and can’t see a thing.
I went to the reception with Ed Leonard and would have had an awfully nice time but for two things. Flirted with a strange man with a lovely voice to find out later that he was not a student but a married man. The last and worst misfortune befell me when I had to go in the dining room with our old friend James Breuster. He was in a positively savage mood and scarcely spoke to me. What bliss!!
Have been constantly on the move since my arrival here, spent on day with Mrs. Hammond and played cards every night. Tomorrow afternoon Mary Molley is going to give me some sort of reception. It gives me the big head to be so entertained.
The other night Alice and Mabel were both over here to play cards. I hear that some still think you have heart trouble about “unrequited.” Of course, I was completely in the dark so didn’t even venture an opinion. Don’t you think you might tell me a few things? You have been hearing all my little affairs and have given nothing in return.
I am afraid I won’t see you at Easter. I know that would most kill you!! But there is absolutely no telling where I’ll be by that time. Every time I have an ache or pain I feel sure I’m going to have a long and serious spell. Last week I couldn’t decide whether to take sick at Miss Ella’s or at the Skipmith’s.
Please pardon this long letter but you see I have a respectable pen.
Sincerely,
Elma C.M.
