Another Prized Letter From Oxford Socialite

It’s a Wagner Week! Surprise, another letter to our own George Wagner from Oxford socialite, Elma Coleman Meek. We’ll just keep what she says about the Chancellor’s wife between us, okay?

January 12, 1904

Dear George,

Knowing how busy you have been with your exams, I fully intended writing you before. Usually someone has borrowed my ink when I have those good intentions.

Miss Ella was up to see me this afternoon. She says I’m so busy sewing these days that she feels sure I’m making a trousseau. But just now it seems impossible for me to keep from making a visit to C-dale, and I want to be one of those wise virgins and be ready for any emergency.

Lela telephoned for me to be there last Friday for the ball and then to be sure to come to the card party on Tuesday. I’m getting too old to be on the “gad” all the time. Don’t you think so? Don’t dare say yes, if you think it.

Last Friday night, Oxford was quite gay. Mrs. Beauland gave a reception in honor of Miss Owens who failed to come — the boys got up a dance. I didn’t want to go to that and wasn’t invited to the first, so I went to a Town and Gown meeting at Mrs. Ferrel’s. We had a lovely time, at least I did — for a went with “Bondy” and flirted with the Chancellor after I got there. I told the Chancellor a joke that almost sent him into convulsions. His wife is so pleasant and nice, even if she isn’t pretty.

Bondy insisted on Miss Ella and me proposing as it was Leap Year.  I hear we are about to be deluged with Leap Year parties, from which I say – “May the Good Lord deliver us.”

On the 22nd the KA‘s gave their annual crush, jam and stick. I hope it may be some better arranged this year as they are to have it at the Somervilles. My escort for the occasion is a nice, sticky kind of a fellow — Elmore Holmes’ brother. At first, I positively declined to accept his company, but he telephoned tonight and asked in such a nice, respectful and entreating tone of voice that my heart melted and then you know I have my pretty new dress with the point lace bertha.

Saw Binford on the street Saturday. I told him to come around as I had something to tell him. He said, “No, thank you. You know too much already.”

Hope you got through with your exams all right, but being such a bright boy, guessing how old I was, etc., I know you succeeded beautifully.

We are all watching the legislature pretty closely just now to see what it will do for the University.

Red Leathers is studying law again. He keeps himself pretty close, I never have seen him to speak to him.

Say, I got the sweetest love letter from a man I hadn’t heard from in ages. If you were only here I’d let you read it — especially since I don’t expect to answer it.

Well, when you find time between your studies and society you can write to me.

Sincerely,  

Elma C.M.