My darling Papa:-

We are having now some of the rain you have had, and to-day it is dark and gloomy. I have set apart Thursday for my letter writing, and am going to send out five to-day. I am getting pretty well caught up but have some to answer still. Letters are a very great pleasure to me now and I hope you at home will keep this in mind.

Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Bowland were here last evening, and to-night Mrs. Neal and I are going out on Q Street to see them. Mrs. Ford is the handsomest woman I ever saw. She is Governor Tom Ford’s wife and is said to be the handsomest woman in Washington. She has beautiful white hair, is tall and very well built.

I never saw so many young gray-haired women as I see here. It is really wonderful. Mrs. Neal’s hair is white, but she is old.

We have started a new plan in the eating business. We found it took too much time as we were from an hour to an hour and a half at each meal at Mrs. Lockwoods, so we have engaged a caterer to bring our meals to us. That is, breakfast at 9:30 and Dinner at 5:30. Lunch, we get anywhere. We bought a perfect jewel of a stove–burn a sort of oil and it is the best thing of the kind I ever saw. Is very powerful and small enough to put in a trunk. Is iron and cost $3.50. I want Mamma to use it when I come home and perhaps she will want one just like it. I got half a dozen napkins yesterday and will have to procure two small tableclothes.

I am very well and like Washington as well as I could like any place so far away from you all. I went to hear Warde in “Shylock.” Frank was anxious to hear him as he plays John Howard Payne’s new play, and he has written a letter about him. I expect to hear “Iolanthe” by the Fords next week. I’ll think of you. Patti is coming but I will not go unless I can get a very cheap ticket. Frank says I shall go to the whole thing–seven concerts–but I do not think it best. I am helping with the newspaper work and am pegging away at shorthand. It is about the same as Greek now, however. Have so much to do must close and Frank says: “Give my love to your Father.” Will write again on Sunday.

Your loving, Joe.