Edward W. Axson to Jessie Woodrow Wilson Sayre

Your letter came some time ago, and again I have been very slow about answering—but never mind you can scold me well when I get to Princeton. For I'm coming down for Xmas and shall see you thisweek—think of it. We have only three days holiday here but I want to see you all so badly that I am coming anyway—I shall take a few days more and spend the rest of the week with you. Isnt it mean to give us such a short holiday? I expect to leave Boston Saturday morning, getting to Princeton in the afternoon or at night. Your letter was very interesting—what lively times you have been having with fires and things. It was very fortunate that Mama wasnt also away when Nellie turned the lamp over—or you might have had to camp out on the tennis court.
We have been having some very cold weather up here—there has been snow on the ground ever since Thanksgiving. For the past week there has been good skating but I left my skates in Princeton so I havent been able to take advantage of it—and anyway I have been so busy I would hardly have had the time. If there is skating next week I must give you girls some more lessons—have you had any this winter?I had a letter from Cousin May not long ago—she has been having experiences with burglars. When they got back home in the Fall she opened up the house and found that a burglar was just going through it. As she says she “told him to come to her”, but apparently he didnt like her as as much as we do—at any rate he didnt come and May went across to a neighbor for help. But when she got back the shy burglar had gone—and with him a lot of silver &c. May isnt easily frightened and I suppose she was as cool as if she had expected to find a burglar there.
What do you think the chances are that Santa Claus will find his way to Princeton this year? If I see him up here anywhere I will tell him to be sure to change cars at Princeton Junction Saturday night. I suppose you have already let him know what things to bring.
Well it is half past eleven so I must close and go to bed. Love and kisses for all—and more to follow Saturday.Dec. 18, '98.