Clara Barton General Correspondence French, S. P. Feb June 18781409 13th St. Circle Washington Feb 28th 1878 My Dear Miss Barton As I understood Mrs. Melcher, she was to work for you this week. I address this note to you though it may be more properly written to her– I have received a letter from Dr. Culver, and a paper from the Pension Office stating some further requirements, which I would like to have attended to at once– and were I able would start at once for your place, hoping to see you together– but the last time I went out, on Saturday last, was too much for me, and here I am confined to the house– and when I shall be able to attend to outside duties remains to be told. You spoke of going to the Pension Office yourself when here– Who knows but you could clear the case out for her! I want Mrs. M.to come for the papers as I want a talk with her about them, and then you can see the requirements without my particularising— I will send a postal card to her house at the same time I send this, so if she is not with you, take no further trouble to let her know. I would like to ask many questions, but prudence forbids me now– May I not hope to see you again before leaving for the north Hoping you are able to enjoy this lovely day– outside of brick walls – and coal heat. With the true zest of health and nerve– I remain yours most truly S.P. French [*(Address) Mrs. Dr French 32*] 1409 13th St. Circle Washington June 10th "78 My dear Miss Barton Mrs. Melcher brought me your letter this morning Most gladly will I do everything in my power to further your project in getting Mrs. M. & May to your feeling it safest surest and best place for them in all the world She raises no objection to going–but it takes some time for her to get round to the starting point. This we cannot wonder at, as May has been quite sick of late & she cannot leave her to do much. She now proposes starting early next week. The time not yet specified but shall be in time to let you know– She says Dr. Hood says Jennie (or May as you call her) is not able to go just now— Let me stop right here and tell you about myself, that you may not wonder. Why I do not know all about them myself– I am in that same worthless condition as when you was here–cannot go out, or do but the least at home–therefore could not get to them though they be suffering ever so much–which I very much regret, as I would like to do many things for themwhich I cannot now–Whether I am to wear out under this change I suppose time alone can tell, but Dr. says I must be quiet, and wait the result. Now to my subject– May is better, so she is coming over here tomorrow– if pleasant– and I will do my best for her. Mrs. M. has gone out today for some business (back pay) this I have little faith she will ever get, and hardly think it will pay the trouble–then she is to get cloth for her bed which she can make here on the machine– Her old things though they are dear to her, and worth much– yet they will sell for little, or nothing, but she is making arrangement to dispose of them – My dear Clara (excuse the familiarity) could I find words to express the thankfulness of my heart, that such a great blessing has come to them at last–as that of your taking them to your home to those pure, sweet, free hills of life giving sunshine and air–full of health, joy beauty and happiness–I say could I express my gratification I would do so, but language is inadequate, and I leave your imagination to do what I fail to write– As Mrs. Taylor says, I was for sending her at once, on first invitation, as I see in it the only way of lifting her above her present self and the degradation surrounding her– which you know as well as I can describe–to make of her & hers all that was possible in life and I do feel it a greater "God send." than pension or back pay and all other things combined, and I do hope she will so appreciate it as to do everything in her power to make it a blessing to you as well as to themselves. Do not for a moment think that I have been forgetful of the great addition you are taking upon your already overburden yet unselfish heart, for that is one of my constant thoughts. I am extremely anxious on your account, and do hope you will not wear yourself entirely out for others, and if at any time you find the burden heavier than you can carry–let the [yoke?] slip to other shoulder's and mine will be ready to share in bearing off the weight most willingly There is little more about her business which I would enquire of you about, and that is her drawing any of her money deposited– I have advised her, over & over, not to take out a dollar nor a hundred dollars not for friend or foe, and I still insist– This morning she comes to me, and asks, if she had better let Mr. Holmes have $100 of her money! Now I know the friendship existing between you–and that the family are doing all they can for her. Still I could not desist from my first advice–I would not be unjust, yet must act true to my convictions of right in the whole matter. What say you? I do not exactly understand the route to Dansville. Can probably by consulting the map– but will they not have to make a change of cars–& what train is it best for them to start from here perhaps you have arranged with them so they are already informed–if so no matter about my knowing only as I would like to be fully established in these things– I am so delighted with their prospects. I had a hearty laugh over a remark of Mrs. Melcher this morning–She said, "I do believe our lives are all marked out for us beforehand–for I know I never could have kept catched up with mine if it hadn't been!" ha!ha!–Wasn't that original? Well I must hurry this out to the letter box and have it on the way– for I do want you should know, how glad I am, and willing to help in any and all ways for the benefit of these dear souls who have so long lived under a cloud so dark as nearly to exclude a ray of sunshine yet they have somehow felt their way along–till the bow of promise has burst to them most gloriously– May Gods great love still bless and keep you in the heartfelt prayer of your sincere friend S.P. French [Ansd June.12.78 Mrs. French*] Miss Clara Barton Dansville N.Y. Washington D.C. June 25th 1878 Dear Miss Barton Have just rested from a trip to the Melcher's where I stole to this morning while I thought it cool but I didn't find it very cool before I got back, for I staid quite a while– I hardly think you will see them this week, and one cannot tell when you may Her condition is worse than mine as far as being on her feet– the shock to her nervous system brought on her menses–and no cessation since–and she is really unable to be off her bed, yet she does get up and does some little things– Quiet is her only remedy I suppose–as well as for those who feel they can be quiet but as the colored people say, she takes it "despit hard" and says "she shall go to Miss Barton next week on Tuesday if she isn't dead"– When I went there this morning she was sure she was going to die–but I left her in quite a different frame of mind, and she felt more like staying on earth awhile longer. Little May–dear thing–only a shadow–is housekeeper nurse, and errand girl combined– Pretty hard! but she does nobly– I suppose Mrs. Shepherd has told you about coming around– I felt as though I had been let down from a height, where falling was sure destruction, or lifted from a deep mire and set on terra firma–after she came around and said she would look after affairs – What a power she is – nothing looks like failure to her. I am sure by her looks– It would give me great pleasure to retain her as a friend– I am so glad Mrs. Metfall has such a friend with her–during her great trial I have not seen Mrs. Shepherd since she saw Mrs. Melcher, and do not know her plans, but think she expected to get them away this week– Mrs. Melcher came around for her letter from you, and relieved my anxiety very greatly. Said she had not let any one have her money, and of course should not, as she should want to put it in "her place"–. They even went so far this morning before I left as to invite me to spend a summer with them–May raising the query, where I should sleep!– I told her she need not make my bed this morning–but wait a little till I got rested!— Mrs. M. wishes she had gone weeks ago, but adds "Miss Clara can't blame me, for she told me to wait" I have always done just as she told me" I think, on the whole, she has managed as well as we could have expected– People look at the great whole, and praise or blame, and do not consider the thousand and one little things that go to make it up– As I look at the items in her care I wonder she has done as well! fear I might have done worse. I am better than when I last wrote. if I am only quiet enough, shall probably drift to the shore at last, but it is so natural for me to struggle, that floating along quietly seems as if I was in the wrong channel– Dear Mrs. Johns does not seem to regain her health, which she is so anxiously striving for–leaving home and all its comforts in pursuit of–earth cannot spare such women, without enquiring why are these things so! She is one of my dearest friends. shall miss her very much. with others– I have heard that Mrs. McKee was at church last Sabbath– She will be sure of "the Ressurrection" She has risen so many times, from the nearest to it! Should the Melchers go next week this may wind up business in that direction with me, but I shall still hope to hear of the success of your undertaking and shall hope and pray that blessings may be heaped upon you in proportion to those you bestow on others– May the choicest of Heavens blessings be yours to enjoy to a ripe old age with love always from your loving friend S.P. French It is best that Mrs. M. should pay her dentist here for extracting her teeth, until the teeth business is in a settling up condition They ought to have known better than to have taken out so many at a time. I am afraid her money will come short before her teeth are in and other expenses too–