My dearest Mrs Meleney,
Ere leaving the City- I must send you a few lines. It was so lovely- to have - both, you & Mr Meleney present at the graduation of my students! Only it grieved me, to find you “ailing”. Where did you get that cold? I fear- you are over- taxing your strength “somewhere”. You are
[margin]
I am very busy. Pardon the “strand’ at this letter.-
[page 3]
So conscientious as so “self-forgetful”- that this can come easily aboust.- And - I cannot hear “the thought” of your going away next winter- so far away! If I were Carnegie- I would give Mr Meleney annually $10,000;- or - if I were “President” of the U.S.- I would make a “law” for extra Salaries to men of “large families”
[page 3]
Like your family is.- Alas! The time of “wishes” is no more! - Dear Mrs Meleney, I fear, I offended Mr Meleney by my eagerness- in my statement: that there young earnest graduates would do letter work - if now employed- away- from the [direct]” and influence of “Program-work”- and that “Mechanical” work- of which the Kgtners- mostly- are so full- now - a- days
[page 4]
The Kgten is taking “peculiar aspects” in some quarters; it is - I might say- like Hamlet- with the personality of Hamlet “left out”. There is a great amount of realism introduced into the work of the children- in many Kindergartner Everything being brought out- so “literally”. And - I suppose- that this is “the reason” you have often disparaging sentences spoken about Kindergartens.
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It did me good- to hear Mrs Hughes talk to the girls.
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-But- I will say no more. I am so full of “what it ought to be”; and - therefore- things affect me more keenly. Certainly- we do have some “good” and “true” Kindergartens. But - what do “a few” in the balance of the “many others”. - I had an opportunity to talk many things over
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With Ada Mareen Hughes- as also I did- a few weeks ago - with Mr james L Hughes. They have seen & do served much!- Pardon me- for dwelling upon this point so long. I won’t do it again.- Wo’nt you write a love- to let me know how you are ? & if Mr Meleney has forgiven
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Me? By what I said- no “attack” upon the Board of Education was meant. No- surely not Mr Meleney is staunch”. And I admire Dr Maxwell.- My Love & greetings I send to you- my dear Kgten daughter,- as also to your “family entire”.
Affectionately Yours
Maria Kraus- Boelte
[front side envelop]
Mrs Clarence B. Meleney
69. Downing Street
Brooklyn
New York 130