Anna Dickinson Family Correspondence [April 1, 1872 - June 25, 1872]Philadelphia, April 1. 1872 My dear Sister, Thine from Cincinnati with the draft safe, came in on Friday after 6 P.M. Should have been here at 9 A.M. at latest, and the frequent troubles in the P.O. led Ed. & myself to fear its having gone astray— so after the carrier had been round the 2d time in the afternoon I telegraphed, to give thee warning, in case it should prove necessary to stop payment of the draft. There was something wrong on the road, which delayed it, & I hoped the 2d dispatch would reach thee before sleeping Friday night, & put thy mind at ease. I am very glad thee [*off for a little rest. He has had none since his return from California, & ought to take a good deal before the setting in of the threatened cholera summer. Does thee go to Cincinnati the first of May? Mamma & Edwin join in dear love with Sister S.*]sent $300, instead of $250, for although I do not need the amount so generously assigned for me, it comes in very opportunely on the extra-heavy general bills;- beside being the time for the gas & milk bills, the carriage bill is over $30 (as was to be expected - it having run up at the time when we had occasion to go to the depots so often, & ma having had it two or three times.) And her double window, & the big chest thee ordered for clothes in camphor, making a heavy carpenter's bill. Also the fuel - her room has required just twice the wood needed last season, & some extra coal had to be got last week. In this matter I find our experience the common one - the winter being both so unusually long and severe. Besides our having to start the furnace last fall a month earlier than usual. However, it has all helped to keep mother in unusually good health for the winter, so that has paid. This morning I had a letter from Julia Gould. She has had a woful time, truly. Shall write her in a day or so. The letter which missed her was a long one, & I suppose some one thought it held money. I want to know about next Sat. & Sunday - where thee will be - not later than Thursday. As it is so near home-coming time, & thee will have readingup for, & shaping of, thy speech still to do— I suppose thee'll hardly come home between Tyrone & Shippensburg. If thee goes to Harrisburgh, beware of using the water. Ours in Philada is disgusting enough for weeks past, but so far it has not brought on the sicknesses, resulting fatally in some cases, which the Harrisburgh water has been doing all season. I sent letters & cuttings to Washn because I was wholly uncertain whether thee'd come as far east as Pittsburgh for last Sunday, or not. To reach thee for next Sat. I ought to know before sundown of Thursday where to mail package that ev'g.— Ma's cold is better, but still quite troublesome. Edwin is not so well again. Dr. went out of town Sat. for Sun. & Mon.— His enormous overwork has told at last in bringing back his attacks of neuralgia of the heart, & he had to go 1710 Locust St. Philada April 2. 1872 My dear Sister, I'll do all I can to stir up the proper people for Walter.— Thy two letters came this morning, and Edwin is now reading ma's over to her the second time. She bids me thank thee for it very much, and grieves that thee has had such a hard time. Her cold is very much better. But the Oxford trip looks doubtful, unless spring travels with seven league boots if she ever gets here.Was very glad to get Julia's letter -- she promised to write to me, & she left here in such wretched health that I have been delirious and a little anxious to hear from her. -- Am glad to head from the Duggetts & Spoffords, but sorry for the ill health of the former. About Cal - I don't know, -- is that thought suggested by the Pres. campaign possibilities? Yes, I remember the Bell affair. So the [mineum?] is married, and improved, is he? Very good, so far. There isn't an atom of news, so I close, with dear love, on which mamma & Edwinn's join. Aff'y [affectionately] Sister S.Pittsburgh Pa, April 3 1872. My Dear Dick-- The adm. let me severely alone. The truth is --as Mr. Howard said last night "They can't abuse you without reporting at least in part what you said--& the people are not quite fools." The Des. & Gazette are silent, the Commercial has this little squib,--& the Post which is a particularly mean Dem. paper does the best it knows how.-- The audience wasa very crowded one, & I never talked to one I liked better.— There was some hissing, & whenever there were hisses there was instant & great offense but for the rest of the time the most intense stillness.— People listened till it was almost painful to see them. All three of the Rep. papers here, are bound hand & foot not only to Grant, but to the Pa. Central, — & the people, who are very earnest sensible people, were getting some truth literally for the first time. About Sunday.— I am at sea.— So don't send me clippings anywhere.— Monday I am not at Shippensburg but at Williamsport.— 2 The speech such as it is, is, & I shall not change it,— I mean that I do not need the clippings.— Do not discuss facts & details, but general principles in the hoot. Nellie Hoopes spent last night with me, & is as charming & lovely as ever. She sends her love "to the household." It's a nasty, gloomy day— as usual here.— I wonder whether the sun ever does shine over Pittsburgh? Dear love to all— Faithfully Anna Dick 219 E. 27th St. N.Y. Apr. 14th 1872 My dear little Sister Can you speak here for "The Womens Union Aid Society" this spring. We are very anxious to secure you Mrs Kelly told me a few days ago, you had spoken for them years ago and the lectures had been quite successful in every way. I am one of the managers of this institution as indeed every Methodist Minister's wife is and I am sure we could reach the people and get such an audience as you would like. Mrs Kelly and I would probably have the most to do in getting it up and she is an energetic business like woman of means and time to attend to matters thoroughly, so you need not be afraid to trust us; she knows how to advertise &c&c as I guess I do, since I have heard you scold over the mismanagement of women & men often enough. What do you say? Please let us hear as soon as you can, and if you can come give us the date &c&c We have a Board meeting tomorrow the 5th, and will probably appoint a committee to confer with you and attend to the arrangements, in case you can come. Maria Johnson spent Easter with us. And Dr. Thomas made us a call Monday morning, with which we were pleased. We heard from 1760 a few days ago, all seemed well as usual. We are as well as can be expected with the hurry of getting parish matters all in order before Conference. We think we will return to 219. John is tired out. I want to send him away for a little rest after Conference: if he will only be sent, is the question. Miss Soule’ sends a message of love to you. I want to see you. Cant you spend a few days with us this spring? Have you yet decided about your summer? Pardon haste. With a deal of love I am thy ever loving sister MarthaD 1710 Locust St. Philada May 16. 1872 My dear Sister, I write now chiefly to say that Julia Lore, (Edwin's Auburn friend who is studying at the Womans' Med. College,) is coming down on Sat. to spend Sunday, before leaving town next week till the autumn. She is a very interesting person, and mamma likes her almost or quite as much as I do— so if thee wants to stay over Sunday in N. Y., thee sees mawill have some other company than myself merely on that very quiet day. Miss L. is still on crutches from a severe sprain received several weeks since. We had a few lines from Martha this A.M. They are looking for a call from thee. A gentleman by the name of Worthington, from Hartford, called to-day with an introductory letter, he says, from Charlie Warner. He also says that his business is "pressing", & proposes calling on thee to-morrow on his way through N.Y. wither he goes this ev'g. Anna North took dinner with us. She has grown fatter than ever, but says she is not well. Left messages of love for thee and desires to see thee.— I enclose a telegram rec'd & answered this morning. According to request, I send no letters. Dr. improves but slowly. One of those idiotic college women was allowed to see him yesterday & talked as long as to destroy his rest for the night. What is the reason that notraining gives some people any sense! - I hope thee is having a good time. Dear love from mamma & sister S.No. 1710 Locust St. Phila. May 20, 1872 Dear little Maum, Nothing of moment has befallen this extensive household since yesterday. I took my "shocking" & my Turkish, & afterwards my dinner, with equanimity, Lois swept the third floor & I put it in order— & this morning we ate ourbreakfasts, & "cland up" a little. That is the sum & substance of the news, save only that it pours a flood, & has been doing so since early morning. How is it with thee?— I hope the ride did not tax thee too heavily, & that thee is [settled], clothed, & in thy right mind (of body)— & that all are well about thee. Love to Sue & the folks, & very much to thyself from daughter AnnaI want to carry 2 or 3 boxes of Esslacks lozenges to Clifton & forgot to get them 219 E 27th St. N.Y. May 21st. 1872 Dear Little Girl I'm very sorry I missed thee the other day. Doubly sorry since thee had Fall's letter to discuss. Thricely sorry since the failure to connect. calls for so much of a letter, which has not been written because I've been going or entertaining uninterruptedly, during out of bed hours. I'm not in a first rate condition to advise, because I don't know what documents & evidence thee has, & I don't see how his proposition for referees can well be refused [?]bro. Ed.if he continues to insist on it, which will be his probable course. I remember pretty well thy statement of last Spring, but remember also the usual amt. of care thee gives to definiteness or preservation of evidence in business transactions. I don't know what Falls letter of Sept. 30 was, but can doubtless guess its substance. I should write expressing astonishment at its statements, assumptions, the impudence of its demand for $1600, when they owed you $2400 after having paid themselves the 1600 - expressing still greater astonishment at the May 11th. letter, written as tho thee disputed their claim, but on the other hand quietly ignoring thy claim against them. Thee would be very glad to have a settlement as thee does need the $2400 bal. due thee. [As soon as] When they or their western agt. pays the debt contracted thro. him he will give the 1st evidence of his worth as a witness to wit - some regard to honesty, if not to truthfulness; tho. then his testimony will not be wanted, as the bal. due you after paying their claim is all you wish. The only way to fight such claims is to arm yourself with fact & evidence (tho without letting your enemyknow all your strength, but skillfully creating the impression of indefinite reserved force) & then carrying the war into Africa whenever you are attacted. Timidly lying on the defensive or dodging an issue always puts you in the wrong, creates an impression of weakess, invites attack, & in seeking to avoid unpleasantness produces 10 times more. I commenced a letter to mother and S. a week or more ago but before it was finished learned Martha was doing the same & So I hadn't time to finish. Hope you will have a good time in Del. & that I will soon see some or all of you in good trim & spirits. Folk here are about as when thee was here. Much love to all from D 219 East 27th St, N.Y. June 1. 1872 My dear Sister, Mamma got on very nicely till we reached Rahway when she began to show fatigue. On the whole, however, she got through pretty well. Edwin was on the Jersey City side to meet us. Thursday it poured all day, and she rested. As for me, I did nothing but lie round in a wornout condition having been keeping up for a week on tonics and stimulants. Yearly mtg. began yesterday, and arrangements [*all of this A.M. in bed. Got up at noon, & begin to feel as if the equilibrium were being restored. Ed. seems to be getting on fairly. He & J. are both quite absorbed by conf. which is like to adjourn next Tuesday. M. &. F. are well. M. will write soon, about the time for going to Atlantic &c.— What about Wharton? Is Mrs. B coming to thee next wk? Has thee got lonely, & how does thy quiet housekeeping prosper? Ma sends much love, & wants to write soon herself. Dear love from all. afty, Sister S.having been made to get mamma there, she was introduced and is being made much of. A Mrs. Richardson (formerly of Phila, whose family she knew) brought her home in her own carriage, and offered to call for and bring her home again from each session, which she did in the P.M. & this A.M. Ma is a little tired, but has enjoyed it hugely. She is now (near 3 P.M.) lying down— there being no regular mtg this P.M.,— but the session of their "First day school association." She saw Eliz. Comstock yesterday, who proposes calling here, & sent much love to thee. Also she came across Wistar Evans who again played the very attentive, as well as divers other people. She's not likely to consent to go up the Hudson till y’rly mt’g is over. After consultation with Edwin & Martha, she seems inclined to go only to Cornwall, which they both recommend. I think she'd like to stop at Sing Sing on the way back, if she could get to go through the prison. Is there any way to compass that? If she goes to Cornwall she will stay to see Emeline (Collins) Birdsall, and Carrie (Hamlin) Vail. Yesterday morning came thy little note, before ma went to mt’g. I have explained already why I did not write; I could not. I went over to the Gen. Conf. with M. to hear the Book Report, & look at the people. Telegraphedthee from the Brooklyn Acad., where they meet. Met John Cookman on the Brooklyn car, who explains that Alfed's "Life" has been delayed by Conf. &c, but that they hope thee will now let them have that letter as soon as thee can. I hope my markers for thy reading have not dropped from Robertson— 4 of the 7 letters in the appendix. If They have, thee can easily judge which they are. John Cookman announces that he is to be married next week, to a Quaker girl, a Miss Howland of Wilmington, niece to the Mrs. Howland of New Bedford whom thee knows. I stopped at the Tribune office on my way home, missed Reid & Oliver, had a pleasant little talk with Theodore who talks of calling on mother. Mas [*only half rested, brought on a visitor out of time, & spent*]No. 1710 Locust St Phila. June 4. 1872 Dear little Marmee Dick says she's going a gadding, & dissipating at a wonderful rate— & is so fine she does not condescend to side walks & tramps like common mortals, but rides about in state.— Good,— very good. I [get] on nicely, & theShanty is an example to housekeepers— as to society— Rebecca Whiting (Humley) spent sixth day— no fifth day with me, & I was greatly delighted.— It was a horrible day, pouring in torrents, & so dark you could scarcely see to read & write,— & a good companion was by no means amiss.— She was greatly disappointed at not visiting Marmee & Sue,— & I'm sorry you did 2 not see her for she is a lovely & most entertaining woman. Sixth day, just as I was getting ready to be shocked,— & go to my bath & keep a little engagement, came in Georgie & Mrs. Purvis.— they were there to spend the day, & of course I had to tell them, frankly, the situation, — they said they would come some day this week. & I hope they will have the good sense, not to be offended They sent love to thee.—also Mrs. Purvis wanted me "to ask Sue about Hattie’s sponge?" I dont know more than that.— that is her message & I said I would write it. Just as they were going away old Mr. Woolcott appeared, & I had to get out my excuse for him, at which I was not sorry, for while he's very good & nice, he's quite as tiresome. Seventh day morning I trotted up to see Charlotte & found her ill.— better than she has been, but 3 still shaken with ague.— Poor Charlotte! She's sadly broken in the last few years. Seventh day eve I drank my tea with the Macs,— & first day Miss Constance helped me eat my solitary dinner, last night they looked in & then staid the evening.— They are nice as possible, & all— the fat Dr. included send greetings & hope you are having the nicest of times.— I am chieflyafflicted by two night's loss of sleep— Sunday night the cats screamed & fought so that nobody could have remained insensible through the din, unless they were stone-deaf— it was just horrible,— & I was enraged that no police interfered. Last night the din was as hideous, tho' of a different kind.— Those people in the "vine" house opposite were treated to some music (save the 4 mark!) They may have liked it,— but everybody else must have been ready to pour hot water on the musicians.— Some sort of a brass band,— with every solitary instrument out of tune, or cracked, or something,— & every fellow blowing as tho' it would split his lungs,— each on his own hook.— It wakened even Lair,— & it must be an earthquake to dothat.— She informed me this morning that "it frightened her" & I should think it would alarm any one save savages. What with the noise & the disgust I did not fall asleep again till morning.— & I hope for no more interruptions. Love to this house.— tell Sue I will answer her letter presently.— Do not hasten your visit on my account since I flourish like a green bay tree.— & know me to be always [*Marmees loving daughter Anna*] D 219 East 27th St. N.Y. June 7. 1872 My dear Sister Have just given John [an exp] a despatch to thee that thee may know when to expect us, and how long thee is to relieve thy part of Alex. Selkirk from outside the house. Mother closed her yearly mt’g going with Monday P.M. Went over to Conference Tuesday to see it close. Caught a little cold going home. Wed. it poured, & we stayed quietlyin-doors— Ed., mamma, & I— (J. & M. having gone Tuesday ev'g on a Conf. excursion, for which they had a wet time; getting back yesterday morning.) Yesterday we went to see Mrs. Cook— then to the Park, and out to the High Bridge. To-day Mrs. Cook is to lunch with her, and she is going down Broadway &c. To-morrow she wants to go out on the bay &c. to see the harbor, and on Monday up to Cornwall returning next day, and home on Wed. I ought to be in town earlier, I suppose, but must make a note do with Miss Snow, & one or two others perhaps. Julia Gould is very anxious to hear from thee— to know whether she may go on & pay her visit to thee before the 19th, on which day she must be at home;— or after the 24th, when she must return in season to be ready to join her mother in going out of town on July 1st. I was so hurried Tuesday I forgot about the carpenter whom I was to see. The landlord's carpenter had departed somewhere, & his daughter was so ill that he left it with me to employ Sill, & have him send the bill to Thompson— (the roof of the back building was to be attended to, & the dining room shutters—) Sill's card was in thewooden box on [the] our bureau in which thee keeps thy comb & brush. If lost, Dr. MacKenzie, who first recommended him, can give the address, if thee wishes to send for him before we come. I only remembered it last night. I did not write after thy letter came to mother, because the time was so full, & from what thee wrote at close, I expected to hear further about Wharton, or Cookman, or something. How is thee getting on Conv. week?— what about Mrs. Hooker? Did Mrs. Bullard come? With dear love from all, specially from mamma & myself, Sister S. No. 1710 Locust St Phila. June 7. 1872 Dear Dickey, Telegram just come, & it says "will send trunk home by express."— & that you will be along on Wednesday. Is that right? They make so many stupid blunders. Talking of blunders. perhaps Lair is not of them. she sent away the only personI wanted to see, Lane. Bowles, & through her carelessness let in the only one I specially wished to avoid — Susan Anthony.— Mrs. Hooker did not come to the city at all.— When she found her convenient camping ground was not to be had. she concluded to house at home. Who spent last evening here? — Billy!— as foolish, & devoted. & good as ever.— politics dont hurt him.— but he's a sad booby. I'm glad you are flourishing. — Dont you want some more 2 money, & to go farther now you are over started. If so, send me a "duspatch” soon as this comes. Ask J. D. if he & Martha have any intention of going to the reception,— I know what the cards are in his envelope, for it is just like mine. Reid came in yesterday afternoon, but I had just gone out for a small airing,— & divers others havecome as far as the door, & then taken up their line of march elsewhere. Robert Purvis was in for a little while, & I was very sorry that it was not for a longer while. I haven't done a thing since you went away, but dawdle, which is perhaps as good or better than anything else— until I get rested. Give my dear love to all. Faithfully Anna Sue1710 Locust St. Philadelphia June 18. 1872 My dear Sister, I went out to Media this morning, and have engaged two rooms— there is such a demand for them that there were but three left in any of the houses, and I had to arrange for them in some way at once or lose Media for mother altogether. It is too pleasant & meets the requrements for mother too fully to lose, & run the risk of something wholly inferior— the almost certainty of that same. All the Chesnut Grove House rooms have been engaged for the entire season since April. So of the new house in the town, except thefourth story. The boarding school which Dr. recommended, used in summer for boarders, closed its term yesterday. The three rooms left in it would have been all gone before I could get to town if I had not telegraphed from the station. The despatch, an hour ahead of me, saved rooms 7 & 8. The others however except one or two are engaged for the season. If Mrs. Hoopes can rent both for July she will. If not we are to be responsible for one. I can be there the last half of the mo., while you are at the shore. From the first, (when Julia leaves,) to the middle thee has nothing in prospect but the hot city. The politicians can find thee there, or thee can come in to 1710 any time by appointment. Express trains 34 min., others 50 min. Eleven trains daily— short cut from house to depot little over five min. walk mostly shady. Livery stable within two or three min. of house. Miss Eastman, the principal of the school who leaves in two or three weeks for New England, & reserves her own suite of rooms, offers us the key of & use of her lovely library parlor for writing, study &c, if we will not speak of it in the house or admit any but our own party & friends. She [will] wishes nothing for that except that we will take care of her canary & dust the room. Glad to offerit to Miss D. &c. and her sister. Each room is $20 for one person, $30 for two. If thee is with us in Aug. we two share the same room— communicating door between it & mother's. Our rooms look north— the parlor I speak of east & south. Very pretty views in each direction, specially south perhaps. Pleasant grounds of ten acres round the house, & the country looks promising as to drives. Dr. thinks it will be splendid for thee. I concluded if thee had any other decided plan for the early part of July for thyself thee could (so would not lose the chance for mother— if Mrs. H. should not rent both rooms which she probably can by adv.; having so far refused temporary boarders—) for the fortnight send thee Mrs. Crowell or whoever thee liked. Mrs. H. is to notify us soon of her success. Of course she prefers renting the two to some one party for July if she can— to vacate positively for us to be in on the first of Aug. I found Dr. dreadfully worn to-day, when I went to report. (He approves fully.) Was most of yesterday & all night with a patient who died under most distressing circumstances— near her confinement, seized first with convulsions, then with congestion of the lungs— suffered dreadfully, begging for relief all the time. She is an old schoolmate of mine, Annie Lerick Crew-- Dr L's youngest sister. Mrs. Crowell was glad to get the dress now as it was—has been sick, but is better. Julia & Sue were heard from Monday. Rudolf & they are at R's father's— well again, and enjoying themselves greatly. DreKa sent the monograms up yesterday. I opened them supposing the word I left had been misunderstood, and that the env. contained a note about them.— Mordecai Dawson wishes to know whether it was four and twenty or eight and forty hours within which he predicted rain,— and sends his love. When I came in from Media I found on the piano, with a paper covered book, Emma Wood’s note. The explanation appears to be that Lois was at market and mother lying down. I shall try to see her before Friday; or, failing that, write her through E.M. Davis to Lucretia Mott’s, since she is at Chelten Hills. At 4 P.M. yesterday I saw Mrs. P— pack the trunk, went with Mr. W-- to the Ex. office— had a promise that it should go on last night without delay, and hope it has arrived or will arrive safely in the Hartford this P.M.— To-morrow at 2 I go to Atlantic, returning next morning. Miss Munro is to stay over night here, an arrangement which gives mother satisfaction. Ma went up to Mary's last ev'g, and caught some cold, is not so well to-day, but Ihope it will pass off in a day or two. It is arranged that I am to write cousin Mary Haines that mother & sister Mary will go out to see them on the 3rd of July, and remain till the 5th. Ma's season at the shore she wishes to begin on the 9th, to last the three weeks till the 30th inclusive. What about the wedding? and Mr. Reid (as to Mrs. A— or Miss C— )? Give mother's & my love to Charlie & Susie— George if at home— the Gillettes— and in such wise as seems best to Mrs. H. With dear love from mamma & myself, Affy' Sister S.[* Letters came safely *] Hartford Conn. June 21. 1872. Dear old Dickey, I sent a telegram because I am so hot, & have been so hot, I thought I could not muster up courage to write a letter. However I will send a scrawl.I'm glad to hear about Media.— would mother rather go there with thee the middle of July, & go with me to Atlantic the first of September.— If the rooms can't be gotten rid of & she likes that plan, carry it out.— I suppose it ought to be decided at once. Concerning next week. It is as I feared;— there is no use in trying to get home next week.— I can't do it. for divers reasons I ought to & shall accept Mr. & Miss Bowles invitation & go up there for a few days, & then out to Manchester to Mr. Cheney's, & stop at Mrs. Runkle's a week from Sunday.— It is the only thing I can do without doubling, & trebling my travel & route.— What sayest thee? Will thee writeto Julia, or shall I? or both. Can't she come next week & again in Sep? Also can't some one come & stay with Marmee while thee goes up to Pittston so as not to make any delay to thy visit, Also, I want thee to get $100 from Ellwood, & send me $50 of it by draft here at once. If I stay longer I will need more money. My dearest love to Marmee. Will write again tomorrow faithfully Anna1710 Locust St. Phila June 22. 1872 My dear Sister, Thy letter came between 11 & 12 this A.M. and I sent a note to Ellwood at once saying thee had to remain longer, and asking for the money— and for the draft, if possible to-day. Rachel answered that she had read it, there being no one else at home, that Ellwood was going out of town this P.M., and that I should send again at two o'clock; which I did, receiving from him in return the enclosed note & checque. Charlie can arrange for thee at Bank so to get the [*Just discovered my envelopes are all out.*]money on it as well as if a [instead of a] draft. I put in the only 2 ct Int. Rev. stamp I happen to have. Ask Charlie if it is the needed kind. Julia Guild's note, which I enclose, came this A.M. I telegraphed thee at once, and hope ere this thy despatch is on the way to her. If she will come now I will do my best for her, but I doubt her coming before Sept., when she finds thee is not to be at home now at all.— Had I telegraphed instead of thee she would have fancied it a pre-arranged thing; or at least would have said thee might have written her earlier as easily as to write to me. I went down to Atlantic on Wed., returning Thursday. With some difficulty, owing to its being so late, and most people's arrangements made,— by dint of some thought and planning on Annie Roberts' part,— secured satisfactory accommodation at the Chalfonte, & engaged it from July 9th to 30th inclusive, the time previously fixed upon in home conclave. The Clarenden is out of the question— no railroad nor intention of any, & a walk to the beach utterly beyond ma's powers. The sea is 300 yds in nearer to the Chalfonte than last season; the railroad measuring that much less. I found it just 3 min. less walk than last year. Mother is not willing to go toMedia in July, nor does doctor want her to— July is the time he prefers her being at the shore— and Sept. uncertain for her; not to be decided on in advance; must depend on her health then, on weather, and sanitary conditions. I have not yet heard from Mrs. Hoopes. It will take her some days to have her house all set in order. We can make some arrangements for that part of July in which I cannot be there, if the one room is thrown on our hands for the month. I mentioned Mrs. Crowell to thee as the first one I thought of. Annie Gilney thee offered two weeks to at the shore— ma alluded to it this morning in her presence; and after thy letter I took A. aside, [explained] asked her if she'd like Media as well, (because in Miss Annie's special condition of ill-health I think the shore a little risky for her, though I wasn't foolish enough to tell her so;) she said she would, quite as much. So I then explained matters to her, and said we might have to provide for the room for the time before we went, & I'd like to know the probabilities in advance. I cannot tell till I hear again from Julia, whether I can go to Pittston the coming week or not. If she don't come I shall go before the week is out, Annie Gilney to stay hereby night as well as day while I'm gone. That is ma's own arrangement, and if she keeps as well as she is now, (she has got over her cold,) there is no reason why it should not be carried out. A letter from Martha rec'd to-day informs me that Ed. went to Clifton directly after seeing thee, and that they are to start for the Adirondacks Monday, July 1st.-x Thy despatch came through all right yesterday. There's no special news, except that the weather is very hot here also. Love to C. & S. With dear love from mamma & self to thee. Miss Munro has been here, since Wed., but has to leave this ev'g. Aff'y Sister S.Hartford Conn. June 25.1872 My Dear Dickey, I would have written Saturday but went away in too great haste. I had a delightful time at Springfield with Mr & Mrs Bowles & Sallie. They are people in a million, & their house is the perfection of a place to visit. Plenty ofmoney to do with, & knowing how to do it, & giving their guests absolute freedom. You eat when you please & when you please, & you do generally & particularly just what you like. Mrs. Bowles sends her love to "Anna’s mother" as she always does. Charlie Warner went away this morning to give the oration at Hamilton College, & I shall stay here with Julia till tomorrow afternoon or Thursday morning — stay a day or so in New York, & then spend Sunday with Mrs. Runkle if that suits her: otherwise I shall come over home on Saturday. Thee saw one of the bills in the opened envelope. — Well, Pugh has had them all sent to me, & I have returned them all this morning, with the declaration "This bill has been sent me, I suppose by mistake, as I am not responsible for Mr Pugh’s advertising.We will see what comes of it now. It is not the money for its no immense sum, but I wont stand such meanness,— not if I can help it. Geo. Warner has been in the west & has just come home.— One & all here they send love to you, & wish to see you again, Dearest love to Marmee, faithfully. Anna