CLARA BARTON GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE Spencer, Sara A. Jan. 1887 - Mar. 1902 and undatedhour. I had been saving up my strength all day to meet you at the depot. Washington will not be the same to me with you away. I did not think the going of any human being out of my sight - could hurt me so! I can write of nothing else. God keep you and bring you safely home again! I will write to you at Carlsruhe. If there is a moment to spare do write me a few lines. Our love to the Dr. Faithfully yours Sara A. Spencer Washington, D.C. Sept. 4/87 My Darling Sister. Your heart would have ached for us if you could have seen us walking up and down, searching for your face at every window of the 11-20 train last night, and coming home cold and sick with disappointment. Mr. Spencer staid on the train, going through the sleepers and look- Wed. Eve. May 25. 1887. My Darling, I drove from your tent yesterday to the grand stand where baby Sara with her mama and nurse were when the storm came up. No one agreed with me that they were in a dangerous place but I compelled the nurse to take the baby to the carriage and the horses drove away with them just in time to escape being killed as they were standing just where the heaviest part Saturday P.M. June 4. [*1887*] My Darling, I wanted very much to see you to-day, but we have a meeting of graduates here to-night and I cannot leave home. Won't you please let me send Springman's Express for those good-for-nothing camp chairs. They are a "war necessity", but they will hold up the students for to-night. You should not have undertaken to repair them Sara A. Spencer. Born Jan 11/87 Mr. & Mrs. S. Garfield Spencer. [*1887*] [*Spencer*] My Darling, If agreeable to you I will call to drive you to Prospect Cottage about 5 or 5-30 P.M. If possible we want to catch the sunset from the wierd old cottage porch. and interview the ghosts that rise as darkness gathers, for you know the house is haunted We wont stay long unless you wish. I used to sleep there under the roof in my darkest days and the river used to come up and talk to me, and my baby Rossie comes there Frid Eve. [*1887*] My Darling. I have not dared to take your precious time yet I must tell you that if you had done nothing else but think of good things to say you could not have done us more good than by your happy sentence upon the lesson of our disaster. I hear it quoted in all directions. We did care especially Tues. Morn. June 21 [*1887*] Darling, Please make up your own party, and if you would like more tickets drop me a line. In haste with constant love. Yours Sara A. Spencer [*1887*] My dear, I have no more little pitchers + dishes to send things in. Can Joseph bring back the glass pitcher, little butter dish +c. +c. if they are lying about anywhere? They are of no special value except that the butter dish is a part of Maggies set of 100 pieces. Ever yours. S.S. United States Postal Card One Cent Nothing but the address to be on this side Miss Clara Barton 947 T St. N.W [City] Washington D.C. [*Charities + Correction Conference open Aug 25th. instead of Sept 1st as first arranged - H _*] [*Sara A. Spencer ans July 10-1887*] in every berth until the train moved on, and then he sprang to the platform at the risk of breaking his legs I did not want to come down to the depot with my worn jersey stretched out of shape by bandages, making you ashamed of me. I thought I must put on a dress however it might hurt. So at ten minutes to ten, I began to put on the black grenadine dress with a neatly fitting waist. I tugged away at it alone in my room for an hour and ten minutes! I could neither get it on nor off my wounded shoulder. At last it was fastened and faint with pain and nervous with anxiety, I hurried down to the office for Mr. Spencer to accompany me at just eleven oclock. I walked as fast as possible, but when we reached the depot you were nowhere to be seen. Mary Barton tells me you were very tired and I suppose you went directly to the train, and I hope you went to sleep. I don't want any human being to feel so forlorn and heart sick as I did that Mon. Eve. Feb. 13/88 My Own Darling, You cannot know -how can you- that I have had another frightful fall, this time on an icy pavement, on my face. I am so disfigured as to be utterly unfit to be seen. The shoulder is hurt again and the knee. As no bones are broken, and I believe the sight of the left eye will not be injured, I am grateful for the calamities I have escaped. But it will be to meet some little friends of his that he used to love and to see his (?) he kisses me on the forehead just as he did when he was dying. Let the gentlemen go together on the F St. cars to the end of the line. They expect Mr. Hitz & Dr. Hubbell and your nephew. The cottage you know is not visible to the naked eye. It is under the hill cor. 36th (Singan) St. & Prospect Ave. Suppose you shouldn't go & I won't suppose it. Yours with faithful love Sara Spencer Judge MacArthur asks me a hundred questions about Red Cross. Mrs. M is a blue ancharite. of the roof fell. The horses fell down on the slippery ground going home but baby was saved and is well. We were drenched to the skin but not permanently hurt. I would have come straight back after you but the horses could not be managed. I hope you are well. I know you were not hurt, but I am exceedingly sorry over your losses. Is there anything I can replace? It would be fool hardy for me to come up now through the wet, when you won't let me do one thing except to love and bless you in my heart. Your own Sara Spencer at all. We have that done by the year. The merchant's Insurance Co. of N. Y. sent Mr. Spencer a check for $2000 yesterday. Mrs. Nordhoff was enthusiastic about Red Cross, She will stir the social world about it you may be sure. I told her the history of B. Au. Much love ever Yours Sara Spencer about the example to our students of allowing no one to lose by us or through our misfortunes. How I want to know all that you are doing. I know I couldn't be of any use. You know how wholly you may command me day or night if you need me. God bless & prosper you! Ever your own Sara Spencer. Mrs. Kimberly went away with thanks & blessings for an idea Tues. July 3. 5 p.m. Mansion House, Buffalo, N. Y. My Darling, I arrived at 5-20 Mr. G. at 7-30. He stopped at Rochester to see Mr. Hayes, a large copy-right owner. Mr. Shattuck of Medina came here today to see us. The trouble has wrought this great good: He now withdraws all opposition to new publications will instruct Symon (our younger bro.) to withhold all material for engravers from publishers until an equitable agreement on copy-right is made. He is an equal owner of " " with the brothers and must share their fortunes. No further news from Milwaukee. We take steamer China at 7 P.M. With lover ever Sara Spencer What is exact date of Omaha Conference?a long time before I see you again. Bless you for the precious letter of Friday morning, and the priceless gem from your waste basket dated AT Carlshrue!. I was hurt - Saturday noon. I intended to see you yesterday, if this had not happened. I am writing by faith, for my eyes see double, and it is painful to use them at all. I love you forever, Yours Faithfully, Sara A. Spencer. Saturday morn. Feb. 25/88 My Own Darling, Is it possible for you and for Dr. Hubbell to take dinner with us from 4 to 5 to-morrow (Sunday) afternoon? A baby turkey from the dear Quaker farm joins me in the invitation, and our whole family echo, "Come! Come! Come!" We will send the carriage for you at 4 P.m. and make all the way as easy as we can. Don't hesitate to say "no" if it will hurt a hair[*June 28 - 1888 Sara A Spencer by "limitation" to call*] UNITED STATES POSTAL CARD. ONE CENT NOTHING BUT THE ADDRESS TO BE ON THIS SIDE. Miss Clara Barton 947 T St. City of your precious head I predict for tomorrow lovely, sunny weather. With faithful love, Sara A. Spencer other way. But cui bono, if we comprehend not? When Mary Barton told me last night, or admitted, rather (for if Mr. Hitz had not told me I should not have dreamed it) that you were at home, at 947 T St. had been there a week, were ill and could see no one, and that, of all persons, it was especially desirable that I should not try to see you, I positively had a chill. It took every atom of my lately acquired strength out of me. Your blessed letter of this morning assures us that the head is level, the loving heart warm and large and true. and that you yourself are able to decide whether you can or cannot see your anxious friends. It shall be as you say, dear one. Perhaps we should only hurt you. Our love to the Dr. We can and must be patient, and wait. It is something to know you were willing to return to this "plebian clime." When you get used to it and can bear a sight of its inhabitants you will let us know. With devoted love from us all. Yours Sara A. Spencer. [*Sara Spencer 1888*] Dearly Beloved, No mortal could have made me believe that any finite human being was so essential to my life as I now realize you to be. I have not yet recovered from the chill and desolation of that hour when the train bore you away and I knew I was to be left on this continent without you. No one but you and the faithful Dr H. realized that I was inwardly hurt from the shock of my fall, that I was over burdened, sick, depressedCollege 10 P.M June 27/88 My Beloved, I leave for Savana, N.Y. tomorrow night at 10 o'clock. How are you? Shall we see you at the Conference? Can't you & Dr. H. come wish Mr. Spencer, who leaves Monday night July 2d. We go to the Genesee. Mr. S. is on a 20 days' fast. Has lost 6 1/2 lbs in 2 days. How I want to see you before I go! Do write me a few lines to Savana Steuben Co. N. Y. c/o Rev. J. C. Mallory. With faithful love Sara A. Spencer and needed strong human help and sympathy. Every one depended on me. I was confidently relied upon to bear countless burdens for all who chose to lay them on my shoulders. I had constant inward fever for six weeks after you went away, and simply dragged myself through the myriad cares heaped up in my pathway. But there was one constant comfort. I thought blessed you surely must be having every form of sweet refreshment, rest, honor and present reward for past sacrifice, which I, on this planet, should never hope to realize for myself. Oh! my own darling, how can I have it otherwise! Immortal you, not well and strong, with the essence of a thousand lives to distil for the inspiration of others! Is anything right on earth? I had recovered my health and spirits, was rejoiced to find I could "hear the door latch stir and clink, yet no more you - nor sink," had begun to believe I must and could live, and help others to live, even if you decided not to come back any more -- When Mr. Hitz' letter came from Mass. enclosing one from you which you told him might be sent to me. I broke down at once. What in the name of divine justice does it mean? Why, you and I are punished, as if we were the veriest criminals among God's creatures! Earth, air and sea rise to oppose our best hopes and most generous intentions. There are lessons for us to learn no doubt that can be given no[1888] 12-45 PM. My dear Miss Barton, The printer has sent twice for the Red Cross cut and I have made every effort to find you. The proof was corrected at 10-30. The list of names was type written at 11-30. A copy was taken by Mr. Solomons to Star office. Have you the cut with you? Or shall the printer go on? We are in need of 300 Red Cross envelopes if you wish them used. It will be difficult to get the work doneafter dark. There is no school Tues. night and the typewriter operators will be gone. With love Yours Sara A. Spencer. The bearer, Oscar G. Vogt is a son of Mr. Vogt, on Executive Auxiliary Committee. Send him for the cut or envelopes, if you need a messenger. [*39*] Thurs Feb 14/89 1-30 P.M My Dear Miss Barton, Will you meet me at the Six O'Clock Club this evening? May I send the carriage for you at 5.15 so as to call for me on the way? I am not going to ask any one else to go with me. The subject as you probably know is "Who wrote Shakespeare?" &c. In haste, with love Sara A. SpencerEDUCATED HEADS AND SKILLED HANDS ALWAYS IN DEMAND. Spencerian Business College. Southwest Corner of Seventh and D Streets N.W., Washington D. C., Nov 7 1889 My Darling, Can you three meet us at the Six O Clock to-night? We hope so. Their proposition was to have this a reception to you, but as the topic "How shall we abolish poverty?" had been pub- licly announced, I thought it best to have the reception a distinct event, and so did the others With love, Yours ever, Sara Spencer. --- College Hall. Wed. Noon. Feb 16 [1890] My Dearly Beloved. Washington has been desolate to me while you were gone. I am sick from over-work but must go on working all the same. I was required to be either at the Waverley or the College until the Walker trial was over so as to be within call of the court- Maggies baby which I looked for hourly, came soon after the verdict was rendered, and so I could not see you even one minute before you went away. To-night - I must speak to the Standard Association How it would strengthen and inspire me to have you there! Is it possible? I enclose tickets for yourself, the Dr. & Miss Margot or Miss Barton. I would like to hear Mr. Hitz to-night but this engagement is of 5 months standing My dearest love to you. Faithfully, Sara A. Spencer. The Dr. orders me to bed for four days peritonitis, of course) and will be indignant at my teaching today or speaking tonight[*1890?*] July 3. 11-45 A.M My Darling I go at 10 to-night Must I leave without seeing you? It will be an all summer grief to me. Can you come down this evening and go to train with me? I am all alone Mr. Spencer was summoned to New York last night. Spencerian trouble and a sudden death by lightning in Bro. Roberts family hasten our plans. With love, ever yours Sara A. Spencer Milwaukee Nov 6, 1890 My Dear Friend, We thank you for your kind congratulations. I would have written before, but thought I would wait until after the election. You have no doubt seen by the papers that the Pope has his foot upon the necks of us all here in Wis. Only two republicans elected to Congress in the whole stateMr. Spencer would undoubtedly have been elected had it not been for the anti Bennett Law excitement. The Catholics and Lutherans are up in arms because our republican legislature passed a law that every child in the state under fourteen should have instruction in the English language a few weeks in each year. No attack was made or intended on the parish schools, but it had been so construed. I should have felt disgraced for all time, if Mr Spencer had been elected, as Mitchell was, by opposing the Bennet Law, and buying up the Saloon influence. Four of us attended the Reunion of the G. A. R. in Boston last Summer. Mr. Spencer and Leo and Anna and I. We wanted to get a glimpse of you but there were such crowds everywhere that it was a difficult matter to find anyone. We visited our oldest son Rob who was married about a year ago. We spent some time at a seaside resort on the coast of Maine after looking around Boston and its beautiful suburbs for a week, and came home with many pleasant memories of the Club. Affectionately yours Ellen W. Spencer.Spencerian Business College Cor. 7th & D St. N. W. Washington, D. C. [*Mon. Morn. Nov. 24/90*] My Darling, Mrs. Mussey declares that she is to prepare our Thanksgiving Dinner, and it is to be at her house 2139 K St. and that dear you and the Dr. will have a better visit with me thurs than if it prepared the dinner. She will not listen to any other plan. I was breathless for a few minutes, but Mr. Spencer says we must agree to this proposition. It is the only way the families can meet at all. Mrs. Mussey's heart is setupon having you and poor me that day. Do you consent to this? They will entertain us better than I can, for Miss Lizzie, Nellie's house-keeper is a splendid cook. Nellie told me at church yesterday that she had written to you but had received no answer. I confess to a twinge of disappointment, but no doubt it will be very nice and delightful I send her my turkeys On Friday night Mrs. Mussey and seven other church ladies prepare and serve the Thanksgiving supper, so you see, they reduce my cares and duties to a minimum. I enclose a package of supper tickets for you and your friends. They are paid for. [So] Use them at your discretion for your own household or friends. With faithful love Sara A. Spencer[1890] My Darling, It seems the doors at the White House do not open until 9 o'clock to-night. Shall we not therefore meet at the Arlington at 15 minutes to 8 instead of ten minutes to seven? If the Dr. & yourself are out when this message comes I will take it for granted that you agree to the change and we will be there at that hour. Maggie & baby send love With faithful love Yours Sara A. Spencer --- Sat. 2. P. M. [1890] My Darling, I have been miserably hurt and mangled by a fall. Have had a phy- sician and surgeon, and may be patched up in a week or so, but am not fit to be seen. Have driven out in the woods once since the fall, which happened Thurs day afternoon. If able I will drive in some out of the way place to-morrow, Sunday afternoon. If you can come and see me a little while to-morrow evening about seven or after, it will do me good. I am ashamed to be so broken to peices by such a little thing but I have really made quite a wreck of myself. Would write more but don't feel able. With love, ever Yours Sara A. Spencer. Glen Echo, Md. July 18, 1901. Mrs. Sara A. Spencer, Spencerian College, Washington. My Dear Mrs. Spencer:- Some time ago your check for Five Dollars the am amount of your dues, came to me and should have been acknowledged before, only that I was out of town. I will enclose it to Mrs. Mussey, who has charge of everything of that kind. The report of Galveston, which I have been getting out, durig these hot days with the assistance of Mr. Ward, is completed and I hope by this time that a copy of the same is on its way to you. Did the hot dogs melt or roast you, or are you still left to me in bodily form? Sometime when it is a little cooler I hope it will be my lot to see this for myself. Be careful, keep your strength, you know you owe this to me. Yours lovinglyGlen Echo, Md. July 19, 1901. My Beloved Sara Spencer:- In looking over my papers today I came across a check that you dated May 25th, 1900, for $100.00. I have a faint recollection of having received a letter from you a long time ago in regard to this and if my memory served me right, you were anxious to know if the check had ever reached me, as it had not been deposited anywhere for collection. I drop you this line to inquire if you have stopped payment on it (from its failing to turn up in these many months) or will I deposit it in the regular way. When these cruel days are over, I hope to see you. Always lovingly yours. 1864 Spencerian Business College 1900 Education for Real Life for Sons and Daughters. Academy of Music Building. 9th & D Sts. N. W. Washington D. C. Tues. Aug. 6 1901 1900. Dearly Beloved! Upon returning home after an absence of six weeks I find a line of table drawers, each 3 feet square, filled with accumulated, unopened mail. The janitor had obeyed me strictly. Nothing was to be forwarded. Every thing was to be stored in a table drawer. It had not occurred to me it would come to be a line of drawers, and that the accummulated necessary correspondence could be handled by no one woman living in many weeks. I broke down ignominiously the middle of June, and was compelled to close the College and flee while there was enough life left to escape. That was why I said, "Forward no mail." I could not walk. Could only sit-up, a few minutes, and all Care must be lifted. Leonard met me at Jersey City. My physician, Dr. Alice M. Brosins, was with me, and turned me over to him with joy. She remembered my collapse of a year ago, and how wonderfully I pulled through. ThenI staid at Leonard's sea-side home two weeks, took twelve ocean baths, and walked straight through the station to the train without help to Leonard's great admiration. Now I have staid by the sea six weeks, have taken twenty-five sea baths, and expect soon to be well. Am taking one month's treatment by static electricity, and I feel that the sciatica is folding up its tent to take a long farewell. Imagine, if you can, my feelings on reaching the bottom of the second table drawer to find three Red Cross envelopes, dated July 18 &19, Glen Echo. And I had forbidden these to be forwarded! And it would have comforted me so to get them! And three more from Glen Iris, lying right beside yours, dear Mr. Letchworth wondering in the third letter if he had inadvertently hurt me any way while he was here. The angel! Now, my love, I don't know where you are since the 18th and 19th of July. But I am very glad after a year of oblivion on the subject to have you mention that check for $100. For six months, when my bank book was written up, as it is bi-monthly, that check was not returned with the packages. I enquired about it at my bank, fearing that it might have been presented and refused on account of being dated in 1900. They had no knowledge of it. Then I enquired at your bank, thinking, for the same reason they might not have credited you with it nor presented it for payment. They knew nothing about it. I had written you about it twice. No answer. The first-time as I learned 3 1864 Spencerian Business College 1900 Education for Real Life for Sons and Daughters. Academy of Music Building. 9th & D Sts. N. W. Washington D. C. 1900. afterwards, you had gone to Chicago. The second time (and that must be the letter you now mention) although it was reported you were at home, you really were in Texas. No wonder I did not hear from you! Now, I should say, let me give you a new check. I want to repay that blessed loan that came when I was stricken to the earth with the arrows of unknown enemies. (For I never saw those men who were behind those women seeking my life-blood) But my beloved, please let me date the check or have it deposited Sept. 9, after the classes open. I don't now know how my bank account stands. My trunk was packed by an assistant, who put in the bank book but not the check book, so if I had been well enough I could not balance it myself. When I found the little book, I mailed it to the bank to have it written up. It is there now. I'll get my head steady and every thing straightened out before the College opens. The work heaped up here is terrific, but if can and shall be done. I want Overto see you beyond words. I think you will be surprised to know that Leonard is coming to join me in the College work. He will be here either tomorrow morning or Monday next. I wanted to come out to tell you about it, but am not quite able to walk from the station to your door. Then, I don't know you are there. See what serious mistakes I have made about that. If you are there, please tell me if I may now send you that second check for $100. or whether you have deposited the one of May, 1900. With faithful love Your Own Sara Spencer [*Ansd. Aug 19. 1901 Exchanged checks.*] 1864 Spencerian Business College 1900 Education for Real Life for Sons and Daughters. Academy of Music Building. 9th & D Sts. N. W. Washington D. C. August 18. 1901 1900. My Ever Blessed! There is no distance, nor time. My heart called out to you to know how you of all people in this world, felt about this vital step I have taken in calling my son home to join me in my life work, and your great heart sends pealing back the message of boundless love, sympathy and approval. God bless you, my own beloved! If there were no other words, yours would suffice; but you will be glad to know they come from all over the land wherever the Spencer family is known. The succession to this College has been a matter of anxiety to the Spencer Brothers, and to the Association of Colleges, for years, since they knew I was seeking a successor. There was a general desire it should not pass away from our family, nor change its name because of the myriad associations connected therewith. Henry C. Spencer helped to found the original chain of Colleges of this class, and was Overrarely and wonderfully beloved. My dear, Leonard did not write those words in a letter. He poured them out in a lava tide of feeling as soon as he could speak after I made the proposition to him. He was taking me across the Ferry to Brooklyn, his arm around me, for I was very weak, when I said, "Leonard, would you take your father's place in the College if I offer it to you?" His head dropped on his breast; his face turned very pale. "Don't answer now, my son. There is time." "Oh! mother, do you mean it?" "I do. I have come with this in my heart." "Then, let me answer now. It is beyond all my dreams. I would give up anything else in the world to do that. Yes, mother, and when?" "Now, my son. As soon as you can arrange your affairs." "Then, I will go home with you, and prepare for this year's opening." And then came the published words. I thought his father's friends should understand the spirit. How sweet of you to read that Announcement and then to "ask for more" for your friends. I hurried so to mail them to you, that I left out Brother Robert's beautiful letter which should be slipped in with first page. I did mail one Announcement to Dr. Hubbell whose address you gave me (Animosa, Iowa.) and to Mrs. Reed, who gave me her address to be put on my list, and to Mr. Letchworth, of course. It was precious of you to write to Mr. Letchworth just as you did concerning his anxiety. I wrote him about Aug. 10. (as soon as I found his letters) that nothing he could do would please me so well as to spend his last hours here with blessed you. The great world draws upon you. A precious few bring you strength and comfort. He should be one of these. I did not expect him to return that night. But I could not write during these weeks of brain fog and exhaustion. He must believe in us both forever. - - - - - - - - Leonard will being me to see you when I can walk. Good night precious. Your Own Sara Spencer If the old check is in sight, please put in within enclosed envelope, and present this or deposit it the day of its date. I shall never forget. [*Sara A. Spencer Oct. 24 - 1901*] 1864 Spencerian Business College 1900 Education for Real Life for Sons and Daughters. Academy of Music Building. 9th & D Sts. N. W. Washington D. C. Oct. 24. 1901 [1900]. My Beloved! A splendid letter from Stephen came yesterday morning expressing his great joy at the unexpected help from this quarter, and briefly outlining the plan agreed upon by Secretary Olney and himself. He says of my letter to him, "Let me assure you, you and I are in full accord as to what should be done, and the way to accomplish it." But he desires me to go over the whole matter with you, with the names of all members before us, to ascertain present probable and possible strength and usefulness that can be made available at the meeting. A large disaffected minority would be troublesome perhaps for life. Let us reduce it to a minimum. On Sunday night Leonard and his family will be in Brooklyn. I shall therefore be alone in this Overbuilding, only that I have an important engagement for the forenoon. If I were strong enough and you could arrange for it, I would come to you in the afternoon or evening. But walking is so painful to me, that I will ask you, if you possibly can, to come to me here. Will you write a line to tell me whether you can come, and may I ask Mr. Briggs to meet you here and take you directly to your door, or will you do it? Could you come at 3 P.M.? Stephen will review our proposed revision with Sec. Olney and Wm. T. Wardwell in New York, within two weeks. We should not delay putting in his hands the information he needs as to persons. He knows much, but you know more. He will either come to Washington, or ask you to come to New York before the meeting to complete details. I sent him the Star report of last meeting of Board of Control. I expressed to him my conviction that the present Constitution and general parliamentary law and usage require that our proposed amendments shall be printed and in hands of every member at least fifteen to thirty days before the meeting. Am interrupted. With faithful love Your Own Sara Spencer Could you stay all night with me Sunday night? I can make you quite comfortable, and would love to have you. Of course you have lists of names and addresses of members. I have only the Constitution. [*Ansd. Nov - Went to dine Nov 28 -*] 1864 Spencerian Business College 1900. Education for Real Life for Sons and Daughters. Academy of Music Building. 9th & D Sts. N. W. Washington D. C. Nov. 17. 1901 1900. Dearly Beloved, Will you take Thanksgiving dinner with me, and will you, at your choice and discretion, ask any friend who may be your guest to accompany you, and will you fix the hour most convenient to you between two and six P.M.? Now, dearest, I can easily imagine that, with anxieties and cares pressing heavily upon you, any invitation may prove one additional burden. If for any reason you cannot come, I am sure you will tell me soon, that I may reconcile myself to it. You need not tell me why, but let me anticipate one reason. I shall invite no one else. Leonard's little family will come to the table, and then go to their apartments, leaving us, you and me, precious hours for greatly needed counsel. I have seen many of our mutual friends, and there is much to be said which I cannot write. If Dr. Hubbell is at Glen Echo, you know I shall wish him to come with you. Ever your own Sara Spencer. Over.Without reference to the Thanksgiving dinner, I ought to see you soon. I would have come out this afternoon, but had ordered a carriage to take me to see Mrs. Logan, Simon Wolf, Mr. Warner and Miss Kibbey. It came here while I was at church, and went to the church, after I came home, and then the driver gave it up and put out the horse. There had been a mistake in the delivery of my message yesterday. A lost day! And time so precious! I shall be at home all this week except Tuesday Evening, when I must be at "The New Willard" 14th & Penn Ave, at the Annual Meeting of the National Homeopathic Hospitals where as working member of Com. on Annual Meeting, I must be present. On Thursday Evening, I shall be quite alone from 6 to 10 and any other evening at and after nine o' clock. Can you come? I have not strength to come out on my working days. Can just reach my room, but could see and talk with you if you were here. There is always a bed for you, dear. You know that. [*Ansd by accepting & going Nov 1901*] 1864 Spencerian Business College 1900. Education for Real Life for Sons and Daughters. Academy of Music Building. 9th & D Sts. N. W. Washington D. C. Nov. 23. 1901 [1900]. My Beloved, A week ago I wrote to you asking you and your household to take Thanksgiving dinner with me. The time is drawing near. I do not hear a word. Dr. Hubbell called on Monday; had come from home before the morning mail was received. He thought you would surely wish to come. Of course he could not accept for you. He said your niece, Stephen's sister, had come home with you. I told him she was already included in the invitation, because I had said "and any guest who may be with you." This being my only day for any preparation, I gave my orders this morning. Mrs. Logan came in on Monday morning in response to a note from me telling her of my efforts to find her. Now her name is Mary S. Logan, not Mary A. and she very improperly writes it "Mrs. Jno. A." so a portly colored woman and several other impossible people, had turned up in my search for her. I knew she was not at Calumet Place for a long time. Has now within a few days returned to it. Forgetting that I had promised Overyou to invite no one except your party, I told her I had just invited you for Thanksgiving Day, and asked her to meet you. She accepted on the spot. There now! What shall we all do, if you don't like it, or don't come for any other reason. You will surely write or dictate to me a line or two. Forgive me if I trouble you. I enclose to you Stephen's letter written Nov 17, though it is dated Oct 17. - No. I will not mail it. He has no doubt written you the same general information. With faithful love, Your Own Sara A. Spencer A ponderous letter from Mr. Hitz gives me his reasons for not signing a letter "Knowing as he does that Miss B. would not sanction it - the facts are not verified by her" etc. It was clear to me that he chiefly feared Mrs. M. and would serve you in any way that would not offend her. I have no doubt he has seen you! He would be sure to do that. I am sorry I asked for his signature. It was not my wish, but Stephen's, who does not know him as I do. [*Could not go, as I had never overlooked the correspondence will do it later*] [*25*] 1864 Spencerian Business College 1900. Education for Real Life for Sons and Daughters. Academy of Music Building. 9th & D Sts. N. W. L. Garfield Spencer Mrs. Sara A. Spencer Secretary President Washington, D. C. [*March 15-16-?*] 1902 My Beloved: Can you come here either on Saturday evening or Sunday evening or Saturday evening of this week to meet Mr. Simon Wolf for a conference concerning the correspondence in relation to the claim of $1000 against the Red Cross for services rendered in the Phillipines? Your letters to the claimant, and Stephen Barton's letters, are filed with the Committee by the claimants attorney. The committee must act, but feels that it must confer with you. Why the Committee ask me to be with you at this conference, I do not know, but I think it is out of deference to your supposed wishes. If you could not come here on either of those evenings but could see us at your home, name the convenient hour and we will be there without regard to the weather. There is no objection to Dr. Hubbell's presence in either case. Of course you must not come alone. And I must not come alone if we are to come out to you. Perhaps Mr. Wolf would call for me. Leonard will be in New York With love Yours Ever Sara A. Spencer1864 Spencerian Business College 1900. Education for Real Life for Sons and Daughters. Academy of Music Building. 9th & D Sts. N. W. L. Garfield Spencer Mrs. Sara A. Spencer Secretary President Washington, D. C. Sat 3 20 P.M [*Mar. 18*] 1902 My Beloved I wrote you on Thursday last asking if it would be possible for you to come here to-night or to-morrow night any hour most convenient to you to meet Mr. Simon Wolf of the Genl. Bennett's Committee (Is that the name?) to go over the correspondence in the case referred to him by the plaintiffs attorney. I addressed the letter to Glen Echo not dreaming you were still in town. No answer coming, I sent to the Fairfax I have no idea why the Committee wish me to be present at this conference as I had never ever mentioned the subject [*Ansd - and went March 20 1902*] 1864 Spencerian Business College 1900. Education for Real Life for Sons and Daughters. Academy of Music Building. 9th & D Sts. N. W. L. Garfield Spencer Mrs. Sara A. Spencer Secretary President Washington, D. C. March 19 1902 My dear Miss Barton Mr. Wolf's answer to the letter I wrote him Saturday P. M. while Dr. Hubbell was here, came back at once, per my messenger. I would have sent it to you directly, but Dr. H. said you were going out to Glen Echo, and I did not know when you would return. His answer was, "Sunday evening March 23, 730 P. M. at the College will suit me exactly, but I need to be sure." Now will you come at that time for this conference? Do you wish an effort made to secure the presence of Genl. Bennett and his attorney, or either of them? You entertained Mr. Michael's motion to refer it to this Committee, put the question, declared it carried, and it was so referred. I thought all the old board of control knew what Genl. Bennett's character and conduct were, and Overasked that it be settled at once. But concluded if you and all the rest wanted it referred to a Committee for consideration, there must be matters concerning it I did not know, and I dropped out of it promptly. I did not dream, however, that it would loom up in its present shape of a possible suit against the Red Cross. Will you come? Do time and place suit you? Please answer, verbally, if you like, per messenger. Faithfully yours, Sara A. Spencer 1864 Spencerian Business College 1900. Education for Real Life for Sons and Daughters. Academy of Music Building. 9th & D Sts. N. W. Washington D. C. 1900. Tell me, darling, what you did with that check of mine in May for $100.00. It has not been presented at my bank, or yours. Did you get my letter asking you to deposit it? It grieves me to think perhaps it never reached you. I pray you tell me. Ever yours Spencer most kinds of sickness. Sund 11 15 A. M. My Beloved! All the week I have looked forward to coming out to day to ascertain the truth about you. How can I believe anything I hear or read when the same day it is announced you are sent home ill from Galveston, a lady whom I know well assures me she saw you the day before at Mrs. Mussey's on urgent business? After a week's planning, I can't come. Not that I fear the rain, or wet clothes, or slippery walks, but that when it rains or snows my hospital wounds seem to open afresh, and every one of those terrible incisions beatsand throbs with peritonitis - the ancient enemy of my tortured body. Every step cuts me like a lancet - and so I can't come. I was going to ask the privilege of going into your kitchen, and getting your dinner for you with "things" right out of my market basket. Since I can't do that, let me send you from my table what can be safely carried. You will recognize all except perhaps, the top dish - a golden pippin, sliced and broiled. I put in a "drawing" of my own coffee i. e. selected and put up under my orders. A whole fresh egg should be beaten, as for cake, and stirred into it, in the coffee pot. It will make a quart of delicious coffee. The oysters can be put over hot water, but not steamed, that is, dry heat, not wet, around them, or in an oven 3 minutes. Also, pippin. No use telling me you have all these things and better. They are not mine. I should have starved last March if Mr. & Mrs. Pullman had not brought me food of their own selection and preparation. I had "gone back on" everything of my own and couldn't swallow it. That is the perversity and meanness of