Blackwell Family Blackwell, Emma Lucy StoneDec. 26, 1885 Dear Emma; ....I ought to write you oftener, but I feel that I am getting old. I leave a great many things that I used to do about the house and everywhere, and should be glad to be relieved of much that I have to do. "It is time to be old, to take in sail" as Emerson said. But I do not want to coddle myself, and I am very well indeed. But stiff in the joints and a very poor memory, keep me always reminded that the best part of my life is behind me. L.S. (Scrap of letter by Lucy Stone undated) July 2 1886 We had a delightful day with a few of the old abolitionists. Their combined ages made 675 years. Abby Kelly Foster and Elizabeth Chace and her maid staid over two days, and we had a good time. .... ____________________ Dear Emmakin; June 27, 1886 We have had (to dinner) Mr. James W. Clarke, one of the sweetest singers in the world. He is here from Minneapolis to publish a book of songs. It was Mr. Clarke who first brought out the author of Josiah Allen's Wife. He is to stay with us to night. On Tuesday, Mrs. Elizabeth B. Chace, Abby Kelley Foster, Theodore D Wild, and Mr. Sam. May are to spend the day here, as old abolitionists. Two of them are over 80 years old, and two are past 75. So you see, we shall be an old lot. We shall have a good time. _______ L.S. [*June 6, 1888*] Dear little Emmakin I asked your mother to come here for our Festival on Wednesday Evening May 30th fr a great good time. She writes "If Emma gets here before the 30th I will watch over her brood and let her go. She will get more, and bring home more than I should &c." Now this is to invite you and Howard and Anna. and Geo if he comes to come to the Meetings Monday Evening th 28th hear Fred Douglass, & the rest. (See Woman's Journal. A great blow on the 4th page.) Select you desk, and have a good time.I hope Geo. can go to Montclair with Harry as a good business adviser. We have an opening to sell all the part that has the house on it. So prices are to be considered. And the best way to lay it out. And Geo. will be a great help. I am sorry for your unrented houses. With much love to all L. S.June 6 This is a letter you will not get. And is only sent now to show our good intent. Come now and bring any of the children and you will be welcome--we will [secure] you about [a wet nurse]. If you really [want one], we will make inquiries in advance. The [cousins] are [gone]. [Hay] is in [?]. looking after the [?] [house]. [?] helping. Weather [lovely]. Both of us busy. Love to all [?] [L.S.] Here are some rare stamps[OFFICE OF The Woman's Journal N0. 3 PARK STREET,] Dorchester Boston, Feb. 18 1888 Dear Emmakin I have looked among desks and found some very pretty ones. They are in oak, black walnut and cherry. Which would you rather have? And would you rather have the part under if drawers or doors, or both? There are some with small drawers and a small cupboard with doors. Let me know about the color, and the drawers. And I will soon send it on.Lucy Feb 18/88 Part of Phebe's letter was only about business of a woman speaker. that I do not [?ered]. About Alice, the difficulty is to roll off anything. I would do it for her if she would. We all three expect to go to Washington the last of March and we shall D. V. Stop to see you all. We have to have new clo. including bonnet for me sure. We have expected Clara all the week. & your Mother writes that they expect her too. With love to the whole family group including baby - I hope the nurse goes out. so that she may keep well - sorry for Howard's pale cheeks. aff - L.S.About May 25 '87 OFFICE OF Massaschusetts Woman Suffrage Association 5 PARK STREET, Boston, Monday 1887 Darling Emmakin Your letter came yesterday We were glad to hear. What a pity that Hedwig has gone! I am afraid you will all get sick. I am laid up in bed with a cold which I think came by changing caps, but I am better today. [though] I cant go to the Vendome reception tonight Mrs. Gouger is here Dear Emma: Mother asks me to finish this. She is laid up with a cold which she thinks she caught by changing from one cap to another which left her skin more exposed, & it will not be safe for her to go to the [annual] festival of the N.E. Woman Suffrage annual Association to-night, which is a great disappointment. But she is gettingbetter. There is no news. We have a bouncing Indiana woman here, energetic & smart, but so loud & voluble that it rather fatigued mother even to lie & listen to her. Wednesday May 25, 1887 I perceive to my horror that this has not been sent. Mother is much better. Mrs. Gougar made a very nice speech, & delighted everybody. Mother wants to say to Aunt Sarah that if she has thoughts of engaging an orphan girl to help her, it would be well to do it before you all get tired out trying to do your own work. Hope you will secure Lovina. Shall I send on your flower-seeds? It is very hot & sticky weather, but our meetings are nearly over, which is a great mercy. In great haste, affy, Alice Stone BlackwellApril 1885 Dear little Emmakin The photos of your three little olive branches are on my sitting room mantle. A pretty group that get good morning from me every day. I should be glad to write them and you very often, but I find I cannot do what I used to and many things get the go by. I have wanted to say more to you about the 2 meals for the children. I felt ready to cry for their sakes, when I heard you had adopted the system. There is no doubt that many people who have worn out or impaired their digestion are better with two meals a day, but neither you nor Geo were in that case. So your children could not be. You and he can survive on two meals. But these little people have not only to survive but they have all their bodies to build - bones, brain, muscle, everything, and only so much to eat [and only]as you and Geo. have, who have no bodies to build. I think of them as frail men and women with not body enough to bear the load of life, because they did not have enough to eat when they were children, and it seems dreadful to me. I remember my own childish hunger and eager appetite and feel real pity for your children, who must often be weak and half faint for lack of food. Now I do not mean ever to say anything more about it. But I wish I knew they had a bowl of good bread and milk for the third meal every day at 5 o clock. I had a dress maker here this week who has made two summer dresses for me - house dresses - But she was a poor sewer. My girl has been here 3 weeks. She is a new one, but she is too utterly too dirty, and she leaves on Wednesday. She is good tempered and willing and in that she is nice but the slops and the dirt are beyond endurance. Neenie you have doubtless seen. She is modified a good deal. Emily writes that they are to have holiday at Orange you are not to try to explain or to answer my theory of three meals. It will do no good. I hope Livinea is to come back to you sometime. If the big house would only rent! I am concerned about Ellen's houses. What will she do if they come back on her hands? The robins are here, and I have a beautiful row of snow drops all out with their white blossoms, and they were there in the midst of the snow The Callas have been beautiful all winter & now we have quantities of yellow oxalis and a variety of geraniums in bloom, so the rooms are quite cheerful even without Harry whom we miss. Half the house cleaning is done, My bedroom and Alice's with the halls, down to my chamber door, and the bath room have been cleaned, one at a time, so each job was finished in one day. And Harry never saw that either had been touched. Harry stopped to see the Luray Caves and the Natural Bridge and was taking a good time on the way, which we were very glad[*Lucy Stone*] to hear. He was tired and needed change. We have not heard from him since he has reached New Orleans--I have been shut up with a sore throat for the last two weeks but it is better. Alice is overworked in her brain and she must be pulled out of it some way. I wish there was a Geoliegy class for out door such that she could join! Good by with many kisses and much love my dear little Peterkin for you [?] All yours L.S. Emma Tuesday, July 28 - 85 Darlingest little Peterkin I am so sorry to hear that Laurie [Sheafs?] ill. And that you are so tired with all day and night watching! If I were only young. I would Turn away to you at once to help, as I used t when you were ill and your mother needed somebody--But I am hampered by the limitations of age, with stiff joints, and so per force must only look on. But I write to beg you to eat more than twice (now) in 24 hours-- Else you will give out too. Can't the child be induced by promises of things he likes best when he is well to let you off for an hour or two of sleep? Try it dear- and try a little quinine for him. With plenty of fresh air day & night-- I know you will think of everything, and do everything, and I only write out of large sympathy with you and George--With much love to all. L.S. There are some "Little Mos" in the box sent to Alice yesterday.Lucy Stone Dorchester Sunday June 27th /86 Dear little Emmakin I have not written you a word since your advent to the great Desert Serpent. I have thought of you often Enough and always sorry that you have not Livinia to help — I know that a family of six with occasional company is a job for somebody, but I know that all will help — and so I do not think of you as digger digger all the time. Today we had to dinner two very pleasant young women who are on their way from a school in Maine to their home in Nebraska — We have also Mr. James W. Clarke, one of the sweetest singers in the world. He is here from Minneapolis to publish a book of songs. It was Mr. Clarke who first brought out the author of Josiah Ellai's wife. He is to stay with us tonight. While we were at dinner Michael Coky came up with his little girl — He has buried three children and has two. One boy and one girl. He always inquires for you. Alice is to go to a wedding in Providence on Tuesdaynext, and on the same day Mrs. Elisabeth B. Chace, Abby Kelley Foster, Theodore D. Weld and [James Sloane??}. Many are to spend the day here, as old abolitionists. Two of them are near 80 years old and two are past 75. So you see we shall be an old lot. Two of them will stop overnight and we shall have a good time. Mrs. Geiger? seems very delicate. She has a great deal of pain in her back and I think must have some displacement. I mean to take her to a doctor when this batch of visits go. My eye is no worse - sometimes I think it is better. I hope that on the whole Laurie is better. I heard you all had colds - We have just been to a funeral of old Mr. [Tucker?] at Mrs Woodes next door - We have found Miss Wheeler's boot hook, a small boy who staid here a few day's with his mother dug it out of the leather bound chair. Harry has not sold a house, but he prefers to. Love to all L. S. Lucy Stone Mrs. Prof. [Birne?] and her sister took an afternoon [horse?} ride with Alice last Sunday and they staid to dinner. Dining Room Sunday Aug. 21 1886 [*Lucy Stone*] Dear Little Emmaline, The 68th birthday letter came, and was duly welcomed. both for the remembrance and for all the family news. (I mean of course the 68th year.)We found your father and mother looking the pictures of health. The house is very much improved by its new chamber. Every thing was so neat and tasteful inside and seemed so cosey that I think of your mother with more comfort — A lovely click of panseys were on the hall hat rack, and other flowers on brackets. While the plants in the bay window of the living room, especially one fuschia were very pretty. We had our first sweet corn and the tomatoes freshly picked were very nice — We slept in the chamber which I occupied before your arrival in this world. We had old Prince to go to Dorea — The room was like a picture garden all the way. [*I am glad you are sketching. You had a very nice touch and it is good to keep your hand in.*]Office of Massachusetts Women Suffrage Association 5 Park Street Boston 1886 [*golden rod. hard back. 2 varieties, true weed throughout. Wonderful ferns. and many kinds of them. The views were fine. I longed for Alice at Templeton, and on the way from Petershaw to Dana where hills rise behind hills, over which cloud shadows were sailing and dark clumps of pine added to the beauty. We staid over Sunday at Uncle Mark's. They all seemed cheerful — and well. The children are pretty and well behaved. Kate is not quite sure when she shall start. but she will do just as Luther says if it kills her. Uncle Bo & Phebe drove up there afew days before we were there arriving at 6. P.M. and going back at 9 oclock the same day — just to have a look at the children before they go West. — We here jog on as usual. We have just come in from a pleasant ride. The day is cool, but clear. Mrs. Meng has gone to Gardner to get some things, but she will be back in a day or two.*]Dorchester Thursday Dec 26 /85 Dear Emma - By a note from Alice received today I am sorry to learn of the colds and croupyness of the children - The best thing is to give them an extra flannel. and for baby, old felt cloth in the bottoms of her shoes. Baby shoes have such thin soles. they are always in danger in such cold weather and a good thick bit of woolen cloth is a great protection in the bottom of the shoes. The children are a great care-comfort- But when they are all grown and gone and you sit as Harry and I do alone tonight, those times when you had them all snug with [dearer?] love for you than for anybody and you could give them all they needed and all they wanted will seem blessed times - The tired anxious care will have gone and the memory of these exceptionally fine children will be your heart-comfort. I have had my heart full of letters to you Emma dear ever since you were here. You know you are my little Peterkin. with the same warm place that you had more than 30 years ago.Sunday Dec. 28 - I could not finish the other day, so begin again - And what I wanted to say particularly was about the food of the baby. I saw a very nice wholesome looking child at the depot the other day and as I talked to it a little, it led to talk with the mother. She said it was a little boy 18 months old. I said how do you feed it. She said he has always at six o clock for his breakfast a sauce of oat meal and molasses. At 10 o'clock he has a cup of milk just before his nap. At noon he has bread and milk - he has a cup of milk before his after noon nap. and bread and milk for supper. He is not fed in the night. Now for your body I have had a real heart ache ever since she was here and I saw her little eager upturned face at every mouthful you put in your mouth. and she got a little gravey so much as would stick to the fork. And only fed three times a day.- With all her little body to make and keep growing. It is just a dreadful mistake. The dentist says the children come to him without enamel on their teeth and the only cause is that they have not had food enough - I have asked women doctors and many mothers since you were here and every one says a baby should be fed five times a day. i.e. Every one who did not say six times - I think with real grief of your little defrauded baby who must pay the penalty all her life long - I am sorry you have got the "Laws of Life" - Dr. Jackson is an old humbug. Of course he has some good things. but the Laws of Life comes to us as an Exchange and every week it goes straight into the waste basket. I hate to think of you as following his advice swallowed whole - when Emily was here I asked her to try to have the baby better fed. She said "when any body has a theory you can't do anything. But the baby needs a great deal more than she gets." Oat meal and molasses is wholesome and for the boys there ought to be good strong beef or mutton broth once a day. and for all of you for that matter. I am now using split peas in broth a good deal that helps with oat meal to keep the bowels in good order. and prevents sores - Now why am I making all this outcry.The baby is not my baby but you are my baby and so I have a right to use great plainness of speech. and if you will be my good little Peterkin and believe in me as in the old times you will give the baby more food - and the child's bodily well being will be your exceeding great reward - I ought to write you oftener but I feel that I am getting old. I leave a great many things that I used to do around the house & elsewhere. and should be glad to be relieved of much that I have to do. "It is time to be old. to take in sail" as Emerson said. But I do not want to coddle myself and I am very well indeed - But stiff joints and a very poor memory. keep me always reminded that the best part of my life is behind me. Harry has just been to the Harrison Square office and got a letter from Ellen - a most bitter and resentful letter against Emily - I wish you could help her to see that Emily incurs all this extra expense solely for the good of the children and that to go away to school is what poor girls work hard for as I did. I fear she will do some rash thing. She is evidently doing all she can to irritate the children and prejudice them against Emily - It is a most wicked and dreadful thing to rob Emily of her children in this way. - With love t all L.S.