ANNA DICKINSON FAMILY CORRESPONDENCE [Feb. 2, 1873 - March 5, 1873]New York City Feb. 2.1873 Dearest Marmee, It has been long since I did give any record of myself. - & indeed there has been very little to make a journal worth the reading. - I did mean, however, at the time to tell, but forgot it, that when Iwas coming through New York, the last of the Year, while dining at the St James, a very handsome young man, all smiles & eagerness, got up from the next table, & come to me with both hands extended, & a delighted voice of welcome.- I didn't know him, & showed it, this disappointment.- he revealed himself as little Roach-- or was that his name?- I forget now.- The boy who started out as orator, during the war.- went with us, & Mr. Tom. Webster out to Camp Wm Penn one afternoon.- He was full of affectionate recollections, & wishes his love sent to thee & Sue whom he "had never forgotten". "Why didn't he come to see them?"- He was afraid they had forgotten him, & did not like to intrude."-"Dear Miss Dickinson I hope you are not married." "No, not I." "ah-h! I'm so glad." (— Query — ? —) Well the child has studied law, & is in practice & looks as tho' he were doing well. At Newburgh a quiet pretty, strange sort of girl fell upon me, & insisted on going away with me for a couple of days - which she did. Her parents are well to do people in the place, & she has the liberty of her own actions and desires, - one of which is to adore me. The girl seems actually bewitched & has been, her mother says, for years. - "would live or die for you." Straightaway she found I had a brother in New York she said she would come hear him, which she has done, & called upon himtoo, & gone quite prostrate before his powers & originality. I never had a pleasanter hearing than I had in Boston at the South End Course. - & was glad of it since the Bureau's have been so hateful, & have so tried to hurt me there. -- The fraternity was no great matter, but better than I expected. Everybody there is in a horror of smallpox. - It amounts to an actual panic, &, in connection with the fire, must infuse the business of the city fearfully. -- I stumbled over Mrs. Safford one day, -- she says that Mr. S was a very heavy loser, but would not care for that were there any briskness of trade, but, down to the present, there has been next to none, & the business men fell as tho' hearts of leadwere in their bosoms. She asked for thee very earnestly, & desired much love sent thee. My whole Maine trip was a delightful one save for the weather, which was horrible, - the people are more like New York people, far more enthusiasm, & kindness of manner than can be found among most New Englanders, - the halls are new, large, & handsome, the audiences were immense & delighted, - So all that went well. I carried a shabby shoulder tho' for that time, & before & after. - Lou & I went out for a bit of an airing on a frightfully cold day, & we both took cold. - Mine settled in my shoulder, which was horribly lame and sore, but which isnow entirely well. It came suddenly, & went as suddenly, without any intermediate stages. I was afraid I was to have a horrible time with Rheumatism, - but I fancy it was only skin deep - or at least muscle deep. My cough is quite well, so there is no need of anxiety about me in those directions. I do like to go to New Bedford! It was one of my earliest camping grounds, & the people, instead of getting tired, and wanting "some new thing" seem to grow fonder & fonder of me from year to year till there is, really, a personal affection between us. - It is a quaint, old fashioned place, filled with rich, conservative, antique families who date back to the flood. How I should so delight them is one of the mysteries.I suppose thee knows now that my watch & locket were stolen. - Taken out of my pocket as I was leaving the Acad of Music, on the 19. - after a matinee. - The crowd was frightful, & Lou said "Mind your pocket book Anna" -- which I did. -- but forgot to keep an eye to the left side as well as the right. The police were put on the trail, but I recovered it by adv. $50 reward to anyone who could return it to 41. &c. -- the idea being conveyed that no questions would be asked. Half the time such things are taken with the full intention of returning them for a reward, - & this happened to be one of the cases, - a young man brought it back, saying a young girl hadfound it. -- Verily! Well, I have them again, -- that is the great item. That & some other things took me to Boston, instead of coming to Miss Emily's reception, which I believe was a great success. I had a row at New Haven that did not conduce to my good temper. - The Sheffield Scientific people had Lyndale engaged for the 23 & 24. -- of course the Young Men's Ins. had the only large hall for my lecture, -- the S. people assailed the Ins. with all nuance of offers & entreaties to exchange with Middletown where I was to be the 27. -- Mr. Cowles said he was sick & overworked & would have the matter in Prof. Barker's hands to arrange. -- Which arrangement was completed by simply adv me for the 27. -- & failing to have any understanding withM. -- When I got to N.H. perhaps I had a fine interview with Prof. B. -- "About my lecture?" Straightaway commenced a tirade of explanation concerning Prof. Lyndale. -- "It isn't Prof. Lyndale of whose lecture I want to know anything. It is mine." Well! We had a set to. - hot & heavy on his part, - on mine so angry as to be perfectly cool, -- through which I sat apose & mashed him, - made him own all the wrong he had done, & finally announced, -- "You have insulted the New Haven people, have insulted the Ins, have insulted me, have deprived me of a lecture, & so think to deprive me of my fee. -- What the others may do I know not. -- for myself, I can do naught concerning the first, but shall not submit to the last of this. -- I shall exact my fee 75, with an additional $25 for the annoyance, insult & extra trouble to which youhave placed me." -- "I will see that it comes" said Cowles & he made Barker send it. So! Trifle with strong minded women will he! It came all right. --Monday & Tuesday all went well, but without incident. Wednesday I had a pleasant little visit with L & M, -- then went to Laura's & she Miss Emily, Kitty Paterson (Miss Emily's Sec.) & Mrs Van Zandt went over. -- The weather was awful but I had a crowded house, & made one of my best hoots by reason of the crowd of friends who listened, thro' & a lot more. --And then gave back my fee to young Mairs who ran the course. He is a nice young fellow, a Friend, from West Chester, who made this venture, & at the close of his course is $1200 in debt, withnothing to fall back on, & a wife & little child for whom he "scarcely knew where to find bread." — I wanted the money - of course, but I couldn't stand that. Miss Faithful was in a wonderful frame of mind, & Laura was half sick with excitement over the speech. Thursday John & Martha went with me to Sing-Sing & had a jolly time, tho' he had to wait at the hall (through which time he enjoyed a confab with Miss Soulé & her father) & afterwards at the depot so long that he did not reach home till nearly 2 o'clock. However we fed our selves & warmed ourselves, & went to bed in a happy frame of mind. Friday at Pokeepseethey turned people from the door, -- yesterday I came to the city, & introduced Miss Emily at a matinee to her great delight, & as even John tells me to the exceeding satisfaction & admiration of all the audience. At present J & M are having a small talk with Miss Emily, while I finish this. She will certainly pay thee & Sue a little visit, tho' she is not to speak again in Phila. My dearest dear I wish thee would do whatever the Doctor says, & try, try, try to get a little stronger. -- I think of thee day & night, & long for thy comfort & happiness & am always thy loving daughter. Anna MarmeeDear Dickey, please send me immediately, the black silk long skirt trimmed with velvet, that is in a big trunk in the garret, -- a ruffled white skirt, & one set of linen underclothes, no more, to John's, -- in the trunk (not box) that came from Boston. Send them to John's -- I hope thee is happy & well & am always thine from the heart. A.D Auburn, NY Feb.15.1873 Dearest Marmee,-- Here am I in the delightful home of our dear friends who do everything they can, whenever I am with them to make my stay happy &comfortable, -- they have the rare art of making a home, -- & everybody they care for at home in it. -- They send much love to thee & Sue. Last night I had a "scrouge" to hear Joan, -- all the ministerial brethren, & the theological students, who used to denounce me when I came here, were out in full force, &, seemingly more than delighted. -- "Inspiration," cried they. -- "Inspiration" -- Well! I don't care what they call it, so they come. Here is a preposterous notice that I cut from the Jersey City Times. -- There is not a word of truth in it, of course, save that the Conductorinsisted on the wrong depot, & had to bawl himself hoarse after a street car, in which I had to travel back two miles, & was late to my audience in consequence. How is my Marmee. -- Dearest love to her. -- Love to Martha & Dickey & know me to be always thine from the heart AnnaJersey City Times SECOND EDITION MISS ANNA E. DICKINSON HOW SHE WAS LANDED IN NEWARK Anna E. Dickinson was engaged to lecture before the people in Newark last Wednesday evening at the Opera House, which engagement she fulfilled to the satisfaction of all who heard her; but of the manner of her getting to her audience very few even now know. Let us relate it, as it is rather funny: Miss Dickinson was a passenger from this city in the 7:10 train, of which O.A. Crane "is the gentlemanly" conductor, intending to alight at the Market street depot, but for some unexplained reason she was taken to South Broad street, some distance beyond. When Mr Crane's train stopped at this station, he found that the only way he could get Miss Dickinson over the swamp which lies between the tracks and the street on which was a horse car, was to take her on his back and wade through the mud and Quagmire, in some places knee-deep, to dry land. Miss D. saw there was no help for it, and covering her face with her vail to hide her blushes, put her arms around Mr. C's. neck, which, doubtless, for him was not an altogether unpleasant operation, and left the rest to fate. When half-way through the swamp of dangers, the conductor called lustily to the driver of the horse-car which was about to start, to "hold on;" but the Jehu was dull of hearing; and so the louder the conductor yelled the more energetically the driver whipped into a run his "jaded steeds." Suddenly, the passengers in the street-car rushed to the rear platform and, believing the man in the swamp was making an effort to kill some "helpless one," translating his cries of "hold on" into those of "bloody murder," caused a suspension of operations on the part of the gentleman who was "steering the equines" until a rescue could be made. Just at this critical juncture, the conductor was seen to gradually sink to his waist in the swamp, with the lovely burden still clinging to him. Finally, after the usual contusion, and ordering, and chin music generally, Anna was helped to terra-firma and a seat in the horse vehicle uninjured in person or costume and subsequently with the assistance of a "block and tackle" the unfortunate Crane was conducted to his train from which he swore he'd never go again for any one, not even for Miss Dickinson. Anna never looked prettier, smiled sweeter or delivered her thoughts in a more musical tone than she did last Wednesday night--and it was noticed that all through the lecture her eyes fairly laughed at the recollection of the funny manner in which he was landed in Newark.Knickerbocker Hall Avon Febr'y 19, 1873 Dearest Butt of Fortune, What's it all mean? Hasn't luck begun to turn yet? Haven't the watch & the locket et.al. been ferreted out yet? How came thee to speak in N.Y. twice within a week? Was the 2nd speech a private speculation? Some of the folk here inform me the papers have thee & Whitelaw engaged, with "her brother" as the authority of "our informant", this time. When does thee appear in Rochester & Lima? What is all, or some at least, of this homeado. John writes "a big blow up" -- among items in a half page note. Martha writes from Phila. that there is "so much news" "so many ugly disagreeable things" "unpleasant to go over" that she winds up with telling nothing, except prospects & dreams for the future. Anna writes a little more, but half a page of "glittering generalities" don't impart much information. Is it the usual "breaking up of winter" or has there been a real hurricane and genuine earth-quake, & if the latter has it destroyed things or only scattered them around? I'm very glad to hear thy cold is gone or was at least; one good item, if the past weeks weather hasn't bro't on a worse one than ever. I drone, as usual; must confess to disappointment here, so far, but the doctor sends so many away who see little improvement till just before, & in some cases till after they go, who then discover it with rapidity that I still hope for considerable 6 or 8 weeks hence. Just now, I've a heavy cold; otherwise as usual. Send word that "luck is beginning to turn" to they everloving bro. Edwin219 E 27. Feb 20.73 Little Sister I owed thee a letter before thine of 19th (just recd) came in, tho I've nothing very special to say - I gave Schaus the order to send the picture home - Will have that Golden age business attended to - Martha has just got home - left 1700 at 11 this a.m. had a very pleasant visit & left them pretty cheerful & comfortable. She will write to thee tomorrow & as we have not thy address between Watkins & Tioga will write to the latter place I had a chat with Oliver Johnson & Prof Moses Coit Tyler to day on divers topics. among others thy speech, Mrs Runkles editorial and other things - Oliver said he would write thee a letter soon & say a few things to thee about the matter -He doesn't take the same view that thee does of that editorial, nor I think did Prof. T. Oliver had a talk with Mrs Runkle about it it was designed to call attention to the subject & swell the house that night and to aid in the discussion of the question in such a manner as to help put the Tribune on the right side - some of the criticisms were designed to make it less objectionable to Reid & so insure its going in and as it was it was modified & curtailed somewhat before printing - Lest thee has not seen it I send thee an article from the Golden Age that Tilton rather prides himself on as being the result of some thought & care on his part Does thee see Edwin in thy rambles western New York? & what of him Nellie Soule is here to spend the night - we are to go to a concert after tea, which is now ready, so I must stop. I am affectionately JohnThe Auburn News states that Miss Anna Dickinson is about to wed a distinguished young member of the press of this city. N.Y. 1710 Locust St. Phila Feb. 21. 1873 My dear Sister, I telegraphed to-day, as thee gets troubled about the drafts, to let thee know they had arrived safely. As to when I want more, I'd like some as soon as thee can spare it. The many things that must be had, and the keeping up with wages &c., even with Miss Annie, cost of course. I have already had to pay $12 1/2 out of the $50 over to the Brownie & Mme Crepon, - and with continual demands the remainder can't last long. I wrote the other day what M. reported from Mrs. Simpson; & I seriously doubt the wisdom of trying to get up another lecture this overdone season, but will inquire farther as to how Pugh's 2d course, &c., are getting on. Will send trunk to Buffalo as desired. With love always, Sister S. [*A parcel came from Holbrook's to-day. *]Corning, NY Feb 23, 1873 Dear Dickey, -- Here is a letter from one of thy old adorers -- I send it home for the message to thee & Marmee. -- I have in defiance of all my hotel likings concluded and say yes to the invitation both because I did not well see how in decency I could say no, -- & because I wanted to sit in judgment on him, & on her, to make up my mind whether thee had done a good or an ill thing. I had a scratch from Edwin at Elmira,he seems to be standing nearly still, but does not lose all hope of himself, -- does not say how long he intends to remain. Thee does not say anything of Phillips' house. For his sake, I hope it was crowded. -- for Pugh's I hope it was empty. & how is he, & what has he to say of himself. -- it has been a full half year since I even saw him. -- they tell me he is beginning to break & look old. -- -- By the way what is Hattie Purvis address? Mine at Buffalo is the Tifft-House (for my trunks]) -- & -- oh! I want some Wigand's lozenge. -- Dearest love to Marmee -- always faithfully Sue -- thine Anna1710 Locust St. Philada Feb. 24. 1873 My dear Sister, The trunk went to the Express office this afternoon, & I have just enclosed the Ex. rec't in a note to Mrs. [Hoole]. The key I will send to Buffalo. - To-day I have forwarded two telegrams to Wellsboro, one from Cleveland, & one from Jamestown. I am wondering if thee means to give Cleveland Sat. ev'g. Mother's cold is better again, - though we are having intensely cold weather. Mrs. Crowell spent most of the afternoon here;took with her two or three addresses to write thee. Julia Gould's proteges, the Hampton Students, sing at Horticultural Hall to-morrow & Friday evg's. They are being well adv. & noticed. Thos Webster Esq. it seems has taken them under his wing - had them sing to a "select audience" of Phila newspaper men at the acad. Sat. p.m. So the Press says. Hattie Purvis writes that her mother and Georgie are both much better, but she herself not nearly so well, for their abode in Washn. With dear love from mother and self, Sister S.1710 Locust St. Phila Feb. 25. 1873 My dear Sister, Thine from Corning, enclosing J.D.C's letter, was handed in just before tea. I write in haste, as I have yet to dress to go with Julie Myers to hear Julia Gould's proteges, the Hampton Students. Have just scrawled a line to Mr. Hoole, requesting him to have the trunk at the Tifft House to meet thee, -& to get this packet of letters to thy hands as soon as possible. I enclose in it the trunk key. I shall be a little curious to know thy decision about Jonas D. & his wife. Mother wishes her love given to him, & Dr. Updegraff, & any of the Street family thee sees, with word that she has not forgotten her old friends. Remember me also to the Streets (we made our home there when in Salem) & to Jonas. Dr. U. I never met, though I knew the rest of the family - yet stay - I believe I did meet him. If he says so don't tell him I've forgotten. Mr. Phillipshouse was a good one - not crowded down stairs, not full up, - but highly respectable. The Irish brothers came out well to hear Fronde demolished, & a society of them sat on the platform. He was looking much better than when here last winter, and made the most brilliant speech I ever heard from him. He had the facts on his side, & was evidently in good condition for speaking. He asked very specially for thee, & wanted his love sent. As I told thee he had to rush off to Washn in the 11:30 train, but said he should pass through Phila late this week, & would pay us a visit, which I am awaiting in hope 'twill actually come. Julia is here, & 'tis a quarter to 8. She sends lot of love, & says Lue & baby are getting on nicely, & the rest well. Hattie's address is 1118 Thirteenth St. Washn D.C. Mamma's dear love, & mine. In haste, Sister S.Philaa 2nd mo 2/73 Dearest daughter, Altho I have nothing of importance to say or tell thee, more than to let thee know how welcome thy affectionate, frequent little notes are to thy poor old lonely mother My solicitation for thy preservation in thy wanderings are often great and it is cause of thankfulness that thy health continues so good, May the blessings of kind providence be with and around about thee, and may thee my dear child cultivate an ever grateful heart for them I am suffering from a renew'd cold which seems to set rather heavy on me, do not expect to feel much better while we have such changeful inclement weatherIt has been quite cheering and pleasant to have daughter Martha with us for a week. She left yesterday, I have had no callers since thee left except neighr Mac and her sister one evening during Martha's stay -- and affairs go on about as usual. I believe the change in our home affairs thee spake of when at home will result to the benefit of all concern'd -- dearly thy mother M E DickinsonJamestown, NY. March 1, 1873 Dear Dickey, I have been going on from day to day, thinking of home every day, but somehow not getting a line sent there. -- Enclosed find an absurd letter over which Mother and thee may have a bit of a laugh. -- the Buffalo reports, & a draft for $100-- will send some more before long. -- I returned the large trunk, & here is its receipt, -- hope it will take its journey safely. -- The silk gown had better be shaken and hung up, -- the clean skirts, I returned because I do not need so many, & they are in my way. -- among the soiled things I wish thee would pick out the ruffled skirt & two chemises that need attention & have Miss Annie mend them before they go to wash. The skirt has some of the ruffles ripped, & the chemises need a little patch to make them secure, one on the shoulders, the other at the arms. Also will thee find a little package, done up in white paper & tied with a pink string, - in my little work basket - (in the trunk) to get the "baby head" match box (it is with those last things that came from Henry Mase's.) -- See that it is put in a nice little box, that both are sent up express to Lou Brackett, -- they are for littlepresents to some people to whom I am under obligation. I send home the first vol. of "Middlemarch," am not done with the second. --What a regiment of people! -- Lou cannot get greatly interested in one because of the multitude. -- And then it has a certain pedantry of style which grows on her more & more. I am glad mother's cold is better. -- What of thine? -- dearest love to her. -- I will write again soon & always faithfully thine Anna New York March 1st 1873 My dear Miss Dickinson Some days since I sent you some newspaper notices, and today I take the liberty of enclosing an article from Church & State, which I think you will like. It commends itself to my approbation as the views of the writer please me. I hope all future crops of English lecturery who may come here to lecture, will be let severely alone by our people. They have a contempt for Americans and everything American - interfere with the business of our own lecturers - spend as little money as possible during their stay here, carry as much away with them as they can when they leave, & after they get home, abuse and censure us -- Home is the best place for them - The criticism in the Timeson Miss Kate Field's report of the Liederkranz ball disturbed that lady's equanimity and made her mad- Enclosed is her latest poetical effusion - Like the report it was probably intended to be chaotic, which it no doubt is. It is not often that three or four different languages are blended in the same poem. Kate wrote the report the day before the ball, which accounts for its being chaotic. Miss Faithfull goes to Boston today - she lectures at Andover on Monday of next week, and at Boston on Wednesday. For her Andover lecture she is to receive a hundred dollars, and for the one at Boston two hundred. During her stay in Boston she is to lecture at Cambridge. Miss Faithfull's trip to Washington was not a profitable one. She lectured there at [shares?], and being bungled, the business didn't pay expenses. She came home about a hundred and thirty dollars out of pocket, besides losing her time, and suffering most of the time she was there from the wheezes. The success of Miss Faithfull here is due entirely to the efforts of friends on her behalf, but I don't suppose she could be induced to admit, or believe it, Nothing can penetrate the thick hide of English conceit. I suppose my wife writes on the news. If she knew I was writing you, she would join me in kind regards-- Very truly yours-- E.P. Bullard Miss Faithfull will leave onthe "Oceanic" to sail the 5th April - Sometime within a fortnight she is to lecture at Cincinnati - Perhaps you may have the pleasure of meeting her Knickerbocker Hall Avon 3/1/73 Dearest Mama I suppose it is time I was letting thee know again that the tread mill is still moving in its accustomed rounds. Yesterday I varied it a little by running into Dansville a few hours with a lady here who was a patient there last Autumn & wanted to make it a little visit. I still found so many there that I knew that after talking a little while with a few friends I hadn't time even to shake hands with half of them. Such is invalid life. Thy little letter was wel- comed several days ago and I "entered into sympathy" with thee over the tedious winter & uncertainty of Summer. John of course is by no means certain of returning to N.Y. city What will you do if he doesn't. & when do you make the move if he does? First of May is the only time N.Y. seems to have any houses to spare. I judge by letters from N.Y. that they have no idea whether they are likely to return to their present charge or not; M. seeming to think probabilities lie in one direction, & J., in the other. When Sue writes again I wish she would send me Anna's principal appointments; one out of 3 or 4 on the list is as good as all. I hope March will be, at least, no more "tedious" than winter has been. Much love to both from Edwin Oil City Pa March 3 1873 Dear Dickey, -- I hope my Jamestown letter has reached thee safely. -- -- I was provoked when I realized how long time had slipped in between it & the former one. -- Also I trust the telegram got through, I did not know, & could not find out till I reached Jamestown where I had to beover Sunday. The more I travel in Pa, the more I detest it. It has taken me from Saturday afternoon (now) & will take me till 8.40 tonight to reach a place that I ought to be able to get at in six or eight hours. -- So much for the beauty of monopoly, & the benefits of the Pa. Central. -- What fools & worse people are to submit to such tyranny, & help to build it up, -- & by & by writhe under their chains. -- The audience tonight waits for me. -- I only hope they will not be so tired before I get in as to go away -- or go to sleep while they are trying to listen. The lecture coms. think they are having a bad time of it this winter. -- as Jamestown, out of ten lectures, but five of their people havesucceeded in getting through. I hope Ma and thee will be edified by these notices. -- Be it known that in this lovely town they advertise their lectures, with no hour announced, & the people begin to go "as soon as it gets dark" -- & are in at such time as best pleases them. -- After that, if you are not there, no matter what time it may be you are abused I said at the first that I never would go up before 7.30, & I never have, that was the time I took on Friday, -- behold the result -- I laughed over the Journal. -- its bad [temper] is only to be equalled by its folly. -- the young booby who wrote it is an ardent Ladies Union man, & abused me like a pickpocket -- last year. "Lightly touched" -- ? What does he want for heavy, -- & the "only moral to beadduced reform" -- What does he desire? -- Prurient details. -- Be it further known that the "Democrat" does the printing for the lecture course, & the "Journal" does not. -- Consequently the one exalts & the other drags down "promiscuous". The infinitesimal smallness of these country papers, -- their methods & quarrels & general conduct is beyond belief if you do not know 'em. When did you hear from Edwin & what of him & his plans, -- or does he not define. Dear love to Marmee -- always faithfully thine -- AnnaKittanning Pa March 4, 1873 My dear Dickey, -- I hope it has not been as howling cold in Phila as it has been here for the last two days. -- Yesterday & night were almost intolerable, & by reason of a delightful varietythe cars had next to no fire in them. -- of course if it had been like midsummer out the stoves would have been two fiery dragons. I wonder if thee has sent any letters to Indiana or here? -- I have had none since Jamestown, & the mails are so constantly delayed that I am in incessant fear of losing letters. -- -- By the way I expect to spend next Sunday at the Burnet House, & will let thee know, in time, where I shall be the sabbath thereafter. When does Rubenstein return to Phila. & who does thee propose to have meet him at dinner, -- or no one? The dinner ought to be very nice, for I suspect he's a bit of an epicure -- and thee had better have Esther serve, unless thee wants to die in a fit over Aleck. ---I wish I could see him. -- Does he abandon the country for good this winter, -- or will be come back again. How is thee, & how is Marmee. -- Dear love to both, -- faithfully Anna1710 Locust St. Phila March 4. 1873 My dear Sister, The trunk came safely yesterday: the telegram Sat. ev'g, and this a.m. thy letter from Jamestown containing draft &c. What an absurd young woman that letter-writer must be! John is very anxious for the "Golden Age" receipt if thee subscribed for him from N.Year, as it is the impression of us all that thee did' but although there are three or four other receipts in the upper layers of thy letter box, I don't find that. The paper is not sent. The package for Lou Brackett I will attend to at once. - George Eliot's pedantry of style has always been to me the one great drawback in her books. We are having [* themselves pretty well, & very busy. No very late news from E. - Take care of thyself. With dear love from mamma & self, Sister S. Tax bill in, of which I spoke, for furniture. Will pay it in morning. In, two months earlier than usual.*]extremely cold weather again. The panes in our room-windows were covered with ice before I went to bed, and there are high winds. I hope it is not proportionately cold in and near the mt'ns where thee is. Yesterday I sent a package of letters (most of which came in that morning,) and a pamphlet from St. Louis, to the Monongahela House whether these follow. I was called away since beginning this to receive Genl Armstrong & Mrs. Hooper. They leave for N.Y. Friday. Genl A. has a letter for Rubinstein from a friend of the latter in Boston, as Mr. R has expressed a decided wish to hear the old plantation music sung by some of the former slaves. Mr. R is in the west still - I wish thee might meet him. Mary & Adrian took tea here last week, (Friday,) M. is well - A. very well, but memory [* still very poor, though better than when we last saw him. J & M. report *]Kittanning Pa. March 5. 1873 Dear Dickey, -- This scrap was too much for me. It was in a letter to the paper in this charming town. -- The description of Curtis, his elegant manner, & exquisite face was one too many for me. I wish thee would send a little express package to me before I need my trunk of clean clothes -- at the first place thee can reach, a pair of colored silk stockings (a washed pair if there is such an one at home) & a book which I think is in the bottom of the closet outside of our door, -- if not then in the 3 floor front room, -- one of the big square blank ones. ---- this has in the front of one side "Prostitution" -- on the other I think Reform (its not the [?] one nor either of the little square ones) wrap it up in a coarse night dress of mine that is somewhere (has not been away this winter.) The weather is somewhat milder today, & I have, in consequence, unscrewed myself one peg. -- How is it at home? -- Dearest love to Marmee, -- always faithfully Anna Sue