ANNA DICKINSON FAMILY CORRESPONDENCE [January 4, 1880 - February 29, 1880]Honesdale - Sunday Ev'g Jan'y 4, 1880 My dearest dear, I've been scribbling thee only small fragments of notes because I was too entirely busy and tired for more - and there haven't been any coherent tellings of how much mamma & I enjoyed everything; Xmas, New Year, & the 3rd — Pa's remembrances, and Betty's, and Anna's. To begin at the end; ma fell in love with Pa's poem, which she thinks is beautiful; (so do I, & that is sheer disinterestedness on my part, since its sweetness was for somebody else; ) ma is just as much pleased with love letters as ever, and has been "giving herself airs", and pluming accordingly. Likewise, she crowed over her gold pieces, and her purse, and ye soft pretty mittens from Betty, and of redbreast box they all came in. And she had a beautiful little Afghan, (to cover her on her sof-y), made for her by six of her Honesdale friends, with broad stripes of stone color & narrow of red, for a birthday gift, - & a lovely basket (2 of fruit and hothouse flowers also, from Mr. and Ms. Coe Young. (He is not able to leave his bed yet, but seems to be steadily, tho' slowly mending, and they all hope now he is going to get up and about again.) The Trays are charming, and we are delighted with them. They have been very much admired, and add to the home look, and beauty of the room. Thank Pa and Betty for us,— & be assured of how much we like & appreciate every bit of the things sent by thy own dear self, — & of ye getting, & packing, of Anna & Betty. Mamma is pretty well for her— she has taken a little fresh cold, (a misdemeanor of frequent occurrence,) but nothing serious. I have employed a large proportion of the time in sleeping, since new year's Eve, & am beginning to feel rested & to approximate my normal condition. I have made some inquiries about Jeanne, & will further. But at present, the outlook isn't good. The last course or two of lectures left the committee heavily in debt,— & they all complain that the Honesdale people "have to be(3 drummed out to lectures,— that the advertising & work have to be out of all proportion.” All of which doesn't sound surprising to me, since discovering what a dreadfully dead=and=alive place it is, outside of a few families. I'll see somewhat later tho', whether there may not be a better chance as spring a-nears. As January has got fairly started, with, so far, no prolonged spell of cold weather, it does not seem as if spring were very far off. When dost go to Philadelphia? About Pittston, she asks. Things go satisfactorily there; and quietly as usual— but the steady work so far in the mines has made things brighter over there. How soon are you coming back to stay? is the demand I meet generally when I go over. Next Thursday noon Mr. Foley & Miss Witmer are to be married,— & then come to Pittston for a week; Mr. F. will preach there next Sunday. I shall go over for a day while they're there; possibly next Saturday afternoon, but am not sure. Ma's & my "invite" to the wedding came last Monday. (4 I enclose John's last letter. I believe I told thee before what he sent for Xmas. Ma had a letter from Mary yesterday, with $2 for a birthday token And she had about Xmas time a newsy, pleasant letter from cuz. Sallie Ann Corse,# — & Harry sent Xmas cards to mamma & myself, as well as one to thee— which I forwarded at once, & suppose thee rec'd it. And oh— tell Betty mamma enjoyed the Xmas Graphic, the pictures especially, & returns her thanks for ye same. Mamma joins me in much love to each & all, and reciprocate Pa's wishes for a meeting— thinks it may be possible in the spring. Again with dear love, Faithfully, Sister S. #Eliza Clark is feeble, but well & comfortably cared for in her nephew's home, where sally Ann has been recently visiting.Honesdale Jan'y 19. 18[7]80 My dearie, I got back here Sat. ev'g, & found thy letters of Friday, with note of the new hurt which had befallen thee. It does seem too bad that, just as thy back & nerves get a little better, they should have such great shock and injury. We can only hope the bad results may not prove to be prolonged ones. Here is one of the smallest sized polygraphs (for note paper &c.) which thee can experiment on. Mr. Hart, of the Gazette, likes his large one very much. This little one was sent him with the adv., & as he has no use for it he bestowed it on me. He had no ink to spare to send. (On the inside of the lid thee will see where to send for it.) But he gave me the scrap enclosed from Scientific American, describing a similar process with directions for making the ink for one's self. None of the ordinary inks will serve. Mr. Hart says it makes 25 copies satisfactory of one writing— beyond that number he has not tried. Mamma wants thee to tell her whom thee saw of her & our friends while in Philadelphia— and she is desirous of knowing what thy plans were or are that thee speaks of. I tell her it is something about one or other of thy plays, without doubt. Wherefore she says no more — only how sorry she is for thy hurt— & dearest love to thee — & much to Betty, also to Pa — in all of which as thee well knows joins Thy loving sister S.E.D.Honesdale. Jan'y 19, 1880 My dearie, I sent to thee by express, (with a letter enclosed,) this afternoon one of the smallest sized polygraphs - tho' I had not ink to send with it. Thee can get the latter, & experiment with the thing, & will then know what to do about getting a "legal cap" or other size. I forgot to say thee did not send a card for Mr. Foley, but it made no difference. I missed him & his bride, & had to send the things & a note to Wmsport, so cards were not necessary. I did not get over to P—n till Wed ev'g, - & something had happened to oblige them to return to Phila Tuesday. (they were to have stayed till Friday, & gone directly to Wmsport.) I found a letter here from him on my return to explain that. They were just starting off for the city as he wrote, & expressing their regret. I hope the new thread whatever it be may be of some real good to thee - & that thee is getting over the effects of that fall, for which we are grieved. My poor little girl, it is hard that much more suffering should have come to thee. It was pleasant to hear of Willie Gillette's success - & we hope thee 'scaped Isabella - & that Susan B. came not on thy track. The papers say she was in Phila. Also, I see, Laurence Barrett was at the Continental. It is bedtime, & I must stop. - My head? I saw Dr. Troxell on Thursday, & am using his remedies & getting better. He always seems to know how to help me. And he sends his love to mamma & thee. Likewise Dr. Mayer also, & inquires of thy welfare, when he writes or I see him. Mamma's & my own dear love for thy own dear self, & Betty, & much to "Pa". Faithfully, Sister S.Honesdale. Jan'y 25. 1880 My dearie, I have been meaning to write for some days - ever since that came saying thee was still in Phila; wanted to be away from Eliz. for awhile. Is it well to give "Pa" a chance to want thee again, - as once upon a time that thee come to Pittston? Before that letter came I had sent thee, by express to Eliz., one of the smallest sized polygraphs for trial, with a letter enclosed. If Betty has not forwarded the little parcel thee had best send for it. Mr. F's address, for which thee asks, is simply Rev. G. C. Foley, Williamsport, Penna. I want, by thy first letter, the name of thy second play - it will not stay in my memory. I am holding a letter to England open for it. Mamma, I believe has written thee she wants to go to Phila as early in the spring as possible. I shall not hinder her - (though I haven't much faith in her plans for staying there always.) Honesdale is certainly not healthy this winter; and while she keeps fairly well, she must be "looked after" most of the time. My head aches almost incessantly, & I think it is largely the air here; for it gets better directly I go over the mountains to Scranton, or down the Valley, - and there are quite a number of serious cases of typhoid fever in "society" here - I don't know how it may be among poorer folk, but there are some there also, I know. So thee is undoubtedly better off in Phila "murky air" than thee would be here, which may be satisfactory to know. I feel sorry sometimes I did not insist, at the time it was talked of, on our going over to the Scranton hotel, since there are no decent ones in Pittston - but ma seemed so comfortable, and so unusually content here; and at any rate there's not much of the winter remaining now. There is no news to give. Thy letter to mamma is just rec'd; and we earnestly hope thy lameness may not last much longer. And we both send dearest & best love always. Faithfully, Sister S.Honesdale. Jan'y 28. 1880. 5 P.M. My dearie, Thine of 26th is rec'd, just too late for answer by to-day's mail. The explanation thee gives about "Pa" is what I expected to hear. About the note - I suppose thee must have mine, enclosing Mr. Allen's letter, by this time. The date, as therein stated, when due is Feb. 12th. The amount is $250. The payment is not made to Mr. Parke (Rev. N. G.) but at the Bank, by myself or Mr. Allen. If there be anything in the way of thy raising the money in time, let me know without any delay. - When do Harper & Bro's settle? on the 1st? or how soon after? I hope some one of the actors may turn out good for something to thee before long - but I don't know enough about any of 'em personally to hazard any advice. - Only, I have it in my mind, that, if Irving could be reached, he might be some good. Has thee any though of going abroad with a play, - or, next summer, to arrange for one? Although it explains about "Pa", I shall shall not show ma this last letter of thine's. She knows nothing about the Parke business; and each new mention of thy plays, or theatrical people, sets her off in a way that there is no point in starting needlessly. It only makers her unhappy, - and uses up my nerve, which I can't spare from my writing. When there is anything decided, and to be done, it is time enough to give it to her to think about. So - in thy next to mamma, thee'd better give her the word about "Pa". Also, don't forget I want to title of that comedy, or whatever it was. I want some information from England for some of my Herald work - which I can get only by exchanging - and the play in question is set down in the Eng. work as Mary Stuart. "Anne B" is given nightly. I have been indulging in two days nearly free from headache, and hope it may so continue for a time. And I also hope thee is still getting the better of thy lameness. Mamma is as well as usual. I enclose a postal card from John; the first notice we had of there being any sickness with them. Dear love from both, Faithfully, Sister S.Honesdale. Jan’y 29. 1880 My dearie, Thine of yesterday is rec’d this ev’g. I gave mamma her letter and said nought about the other, for reasons given last night. In that I gave thee Rev. N.G. Parke’s name, etc.; but also the information that the money is not to be sent to him: but to Mr. Allen. It wd be my place to go to the Bank if in Pittston; failing that, it is Mr. Allen’s. The interest Is $7.50 (for the six months.) The interest up to the time of the note’s renewal last August I have, of course, kept paid up. If thee is going to send that also, let me know. If not, I will provide for it in time. We are very sorry for “Pa.” And I fancy one reason why he is so obstinate, & won’t listen to his friends, is because he was a little bit out of his mind to start with. And we are sorry likewise for the “three vimmins” he makes things so hard for. A letter from Mary this ev’g says her mother has been very sick— neuralgia of heart & stomach; and she herself nearly laid by with a cold: but reports all better now— the whole household had been indulging in colds. Mamma keeps as well as usual. And for the last two or three days my head has been so much better that I am quite happy over it. I hope thy “oozes & bruinds” are getting rapidly better. Give our love to Betty—& to Pa when thee writes. And know always that we both love thee with all our hearts. Faithfully, Sister S.Phila 2. 10. 80 Dear little Dick, I thought thee would laugh at this take off of the vermin called poets & dramatists in [* his normal condition. Dear love from Anna *]New York. - Thee certainly would if thee knew them & their effusions Edgar Fawcett Will Stuart Mary Mapes Dodge Albert Lancaster George Edgar Montgomery are the beings - if thee needs any enlightening. Nym Crinkle is a savage fellow - & as bright as he is savage. He knows more than the whole lot of them could ever get into their apologies for brains & I suppose onereason why he is outlawed is because he never could spare them his satire. Betty writes that "Pa" is quite human & nice for a day or so. Let us hope the disease will last & that he will not relapse into WILL GILLETTE, AS THE PROFESSOR.Honesdale, Feb. 12. 1880 My dearie, As mother would, in spite of all remonstrance, write this letter of information to Mary, & "will have it sent" I send it, to thee. If thee chooses to enclose it to M. with a line from thee, well & good. If not, she will have the news of our welfare from me in a day or two again, & it has been but a little time since I wrote her, - so she'll not wonder over not hearing. I enjoyed Nym Crinkle's article hugely. Stuart & Montgomery I don't know much about, but I recognize the others in his quite inimitable take off. I hope "Pa" will keep on behaving himself fairly. And I hope muchly thy lameness is getting well. No later news of John. With dear love from both - Faithfully Sister S.Honesdale 2-15-80 Dearest daughter I have no especial wish to be in Phila at present, only it would give me the opertunity of having a little of my dear daughter society so seldom enjoy'd these last years. dust and dirty! I would think it was, in such wet weather as has been the case this most of this winterhere we are, isolated from old friends and associations, with little attraction, here to compensate or even work for Susies pen. she writes some for Bennetts paper and trying to do something for the SS Union, but it dont seem to me the profit drawn from them, can be sufficient to meet our expenses, Econemise as we will, a good deal of the time she is not able to work I know not how our accounts stand I would not suppose either Chestnut St or the Continl. a very desirable spot to locate in; because of the crowd and confusion and the stirring up of nastiness in consequence we got letters yesterday from dear Libbie, together with beautiful cards. She seems in good spirits and they seem to be greatly wishing thy return to them. No doubt it would be very pleasant to meet thy Colorado friend, buthere, she seldom gives me much satisfaction when I ask her, but she says she can meet expenses, which I fear is not altogether the fact and I have thought whether I had better draw some from my saving fund to help her bear the burden, when will thee leave the city? do not my dear do so with out seeing Mary and cousin Hawkins. I hope thee has fully recovered from thy falls and avoid others, with dear love from both Mother the book received thanksPhila 2.15.80 Dearest Maumee How is she this nasty day? - nasty it is. We are getting a little of the disagreeable winter of Europe at last. What a time those poor people must have had- even the high & mighty ones in houses that could not be madecomfortable for a day of our winter - & to have it without let up for three months. Has Parnell come to Honesdale - or is he to? I haven't thought much of his discretion - & now, if he does accept the absurd position in which the Herald has placed him certainly no one will have any respect for his character, or sense. How easily could he retaliate on the Herald with the assertion that if the things they have said about him are true he is not a fit person to serve on their Com - & what have they to say to that; - & that if they are not true & he is fit then he calls on his traducers for a retraction & apology. He don't know how to fight - at least not an American newspaper. Here is the best " Woman's Rights" story I have seen in an age. It will make my Maum & the little imp both smile. Love to Dickey. My heart to my Maum from Anna.Phila. 2.16.80 Dear little Maumee Dick, If she has a bit of a cold she can read the enclosed & be comforted. - On perusing it I was thankful my lot in life did not call me to be a giraffe. What is my Maumee studying over? - Something interesting? - I have been in re-reading Richardson's books - "Field Dungeon & Escape" &"Beyond the Mississippi". Did my Maumee ever peruse them? - They are wonderfully interesting. - If she has not read the first specially I will send it to her - (lend it to her, - it is out of print & I will not be able to replace it very easily) - I know she will be absorbed by it, - Ditto Dickey. - & its print is nice and huge. How is my small imp? - I hope well & I will write to her soon. My heart to my Maumee AnnaA STRICKEN GIRAFFE. Sydney Smith's Ideal of Intensest Misery Literally Realized. Dr. Henry C. Chapman, Coroner's Physician, whose genial nature age has not withered and whose infinite variety of cheerful speech custom has anything but staled, rushed excitedly into the drug store at the northwest corner of Twelfth and Chestnut streets yesterday morning and cried in peremptory tones: "Give me three feet of mustard plaster;' and give it to me right away!" The apothecary "with overwhelming brows" looked up amidst his "green earthen pots, bladders and musty seeds" and said in a dazed sort of way: "Sir?!" In this single word was expressed both interrogation and surprise. "I say," replied Dr. Chapman, "I want three yards of mustard plaster, and I want I just as quick as you can make it. Patient is in imminent danger. Delay may need death." "Three feet of mustard plaster? Good heavens, Doctor, what are -" " I said three yards, not three feet; at least when I said three feet I meant to say three yards and I immediately corrected myself. And I think I mentioned the fact that this was a case in which there was no time to be lost." The Doctor was growing testy. "But three yards of mustard plaster; why, bless my soul! You wouldn't want that much if your patient was a hippopotamus with the stomach-ache; surely, Doctor, you don't really mean to say yards; you must mean inches." Dr. Chapman assumed an air of severity becoming his professional dignity and municipal office. He seemed on the verge of expressing a forcible opinion forcibly. There was a significant pause. Then his severity faded away, his dignity relaxed and he chuckled: "The fact of the matter is," he said, "one of the giraffes out at the Zoo has an acute attack of bronchitis. His throat's sore all the way down. That's what the plaster's for. Now then, let's have it." And then the puzzled apothecary saw daylight and set about manufacturing the largest mustard plaster that the world has ever known.Honesdale, Feb. 21. 1880 My dearie, Thine of 19th to me came safely to hand last night. I am greatly obliged for thy gift in ma's name (wh. it really was), but am afraid thee cd scarce afford it. Of course it was a help worth considering. My "reg'lar time" for payment was not up, but I got the draft cashed at bank, & handed the am't over "on account" of board this morning, saying it was more convenient to do so now. As ma had almost all her Xmas money from thee & John still by her she added $3, to make the sum paid over an even two weeks. I did not object, because the am't at the drug store every month is a decided item, and I have never called on her for it except $1 once when I was out of money, & her pepsin needed. So thee can see she is not in need of anything just now, & will doubtless tell then so when she writes. She talks sometimes of "drawing out of her Phila money to help here", - but thee need not trouble about that if she writes of it. When she goes to the city in the spring (not before) some Friendly's house will have to be sought for her stay till some time in June; & she will have to see & decide upon it for herself. I do not expect to stay in town through that time. About the summer it will be time enough to plan when summer comes. Plans made beforehand chiefly go by in these later days. One can decide best as circumstances arrive. If thee goes to Atlantic City I hope it will save the spring "upset". Will it be to take hot baths? Poor Betty! & miserable "Pa"! I am so sorry for them both. He must be even worse off himself than he can make anyone else. Keep alwaysheart of hope, my dearie - & take all the care of thy health thee can. With dearest love from both, always Faithfully, Sister S. Harry Hawkins sent ma a gift of Oliver Johnson's book, by yesterday's mail! Honerdale 2 -22 -80 Dearest daughter Thy letter with the enclosed $25 came safely, for which thank u, it will help considerably to ease the board burden near at hand, the first of the mo, The moneys thee gave me at the time of my leaving thee in Phila together with ten dollars a present from John has [*beautiful little poem thee sent last as well as that of Whittier*]I think much and tenderly about thee, and with no small feelings of sympathy, thy broken health, changed circumstances, and broken family ties, but such is life experiences and may they work together for an ultimate and lasting good. when thee is with thy friend Lizzie C I feel much more comfortably about thee but poor thing! What a life she has; and how bitter her experience [*I pity her, and should not cry at the news of her deliverance*] been expended for laundry, medicine, and other little necesary comforts, the gold pieces, except a trifle I reserve for our traveling use [each?] in having [?] I have no desire at present to see Phila'a, but I do want much to see and be a little more with my dear daughter Anna this time is hastening when that can no longer be, in this uncertain world, but may we each be prepared for the better one to come, when parting is unknown.a sea side trip might benefit thee, I think thee had better under the circumstances leave the city,) next mo is generally a trying one,) if not to the sea side, why not come here for a while we are geting along about as desired, folks here often ask about thee. go and see Mary and cousin Hawkins I beg thee ere thee leaves, our dear love to thee Mother.Continental Phila. 2.26.80 Dearest Maumee, Was ever anything more abominable & disgraceful than the state of affairs in San Francisco. If Kearney (with such men as Butler & Phillips thrown in) could, as the Times suggests be put into the van of the fight it would be a good thing for the fight to come off. --The "Lola" article is a good sample of the way newspaper work is done not only in England about us, but here about ourselves by ourselves.--And what a nice & elegant, & humane & witty specimen of American journalism is this item about the Duchess of Edinburgh.--It is what people call smart in this country. Some lunatic has just sent me a white bit of rag to put my autograph on for a prize quilt. I dont know how to write on it. With ordinary pen & ink--or how? Mrs Mac. was in yesterday, & sent her best love to thee & Dickey, & Bernard gushes over you in an epistle I had from him this morning. How is my Maumee? & the small imp?--My love to both. Maumee AnnaPhila. 2.27.80 Dear little Dick,-- Behold J.B. O'R's opinion of Parnell! I wonder why people never know how to leave well enough along? The Herald is making friends for that horrid Irishman by its internal gas about him --Half of it lies, too.Did I write that I had in mind to go west before long for some readings --of "Aurelian"? I have not fully decided but think it more than probable I will go. It will be to Michigan & the NW. when the climate is better for me than lower down. Has thee seen this latest of Kate Field. It is curious to watch the newspapers & that young [?]. She is a failure at everything, but She is a newspaper woman, so the journals of the day have more to say about her than if she were ten successes--& an outsider. Which reminds me of John Forney. Ellen tells me that he is terribly broken up, & not like to live very long. His family are exceedingly anxious about him--but keep very quiet at his desire. I suppose he has need to work & knows that the talk of broken nerves &c will hurt him. What a selfish greedy spend thrift crowd his family has shown itself to him. How is Maumee? How is the small imp & her bad head?--My best love to both Anna Dickey Honesdale 2-27-80 Dearest daughter I am feeling languid and good for little, tho' the weather - is bright and beautiful, I read a good deal, but I soon weary, sewing is also more irksome, sight not so good and my poor old frame weak and nervous, a little change of scene , mayhap might be beneficial;W D'Reaversils book has interested me muchly, Bonaparts domestic character was contemtible, his self worship and boundless ambition any thing but lovely, and [genl.?] to much given to vanity and prodigalty - very amiabl, and much to good for the imperiaus creature she calld husband, the fools errend, I was much interested in, the authers experience of southern life bath for carpet bagers southern unionist, and the darkie, portrays a dark picture for that period, but he seems to lay the blame in part to shortsited and imperfect reconstruction, not taking into due consideration the ignorance and deep rooted customs of the south, the authe was a fearliss charter, and it was sad to read of his death at the conclusion of his book, in what way is my daughter filling up her time? and what hints has thee made?I received a present a few days ago from Harry Hawkins a book, life of WL Garrison and his times by A J no doubt very interesting, but I have not yet read it I trust thee is geting along comfortably should be glad to hear of pa Chatfield ding better my love to Libbie when thee next writes, what are thy plans and prospects? with dear love MotherAED Phila. 2.29.80 Dear little Dick, If thee does not see the Sunday Herald I will tell thee that thy Honesdale letter--& $165.00--are in to day's issue.What a huge advertis. dodge it all is.--Luckily the poor wretches will profit by it, but from the Herald down, the large sums have almost every one been given "for a return."--I know the most of the givers (the heavy ones) & see their little game. --As to the Herald it always did, & always will "beat the Dutch"! Here are some scraps to make Maumeesmile, & I thought thee would like to see this "testimony" of Proctor's. How is Maumee? and Dickey?--I hope my two small vimmins are pretty so-so,--nice,--muchly flourishing, & I send my dear love to both Anna