Anne Dickinson General Correspondence Unidentified Initialed letters 1868-1910 & undated Forth from th'eternal store Of living thoughts, in fervid words imbound, _The precious current coin of hearts of truth- Those pages earnest pour.- A heaven echo'd wail, From that wild cry of woe, Which ever welleth up From peoples trampled low. C.M.S. 9.29.68Chicago 10.30 P.M. Mar 29th 74 Dear Miss Dickinson If your friend Mr Collyer had not, some Sundays ago preached from the 15th V. of the 28th C of Acts I should never have written this. Surely no one must feel more than you, the need of a voice from the multitude to cry; well + nobly done! As a man I must acknowledge the justice of your strictures, when I consider the immesityof the evil you so fearlessly revealed + held up to men, as their doing. I am compelled to admire your courage. Because I never cease to thank a dear, wise + loving mother for the purity of my own life I can the more easily see how many, many, mothers are responsible for erring sons. Dear Miss Dickenson, Speak not in anger, but in sorrow of the brutalities of men, + believe this of many: They did that which they have done, because they knew not what they did -- Believe it to be my dearest wish + hope, that my wife shall have heart + brain to teach to our sons (If God so bless us) the living truth I have heard from your lips this night Very Truly F. L. [?]. To Miss Anna DickinsonJune 12, 1874 - Auburn Thy letter was most welcome. am only allowed to write postals - so pardon this - I am gaining slowly - and tomorrow, 13th start for N.Y - Where I shall stay a few days before going to Chelton Hills - I wish I knew if thee had gone to N.Y. I shall be 36 - West 60th St. - Mr. Lieber = Chas. sailed on "Oceanic". wh. arrived at Queenstown on the 10th to my mind is at rest= I want so much to see thee Eve thee sails Shd be a note to Warner. Ms. Rasin -Jenkintown P.O. Montgomery Co. Penn. - I shall not be strong enough to go see thee but maybe thee could come to Chilton Hills to see me only 1/2 hour from R R station so not now too much but go as from as [?] It is fine is able to [?]United States Postal Card AUBURN JUN 12 NY WRITE THE ADDRESS ONLY ON THIS SIDE-THE MESSAGE ON THE OTHER To Miss Anna E. Dickinson 1326 Arch St Philadelphia, PennaGrand Central Hotel, Broadway, New York, April 1[0?], 1877. When your card appeared today an old gray haired man (superintendent of a great newspaper [what] & has been connected with it for 30 years) arose from his desk and swore like a pirate. He said that a meeting of gentlemen should be called, and a committee appointed to go and thrash the critics who are making war on Anna Dickinson. Not one of them, said he, can write such an article as hers; not one 1 is worthy to make her shoes, and all of them are not competent to criticise her in any particular. He swore fearfully: that it was a disgrace to american journalism; that a pack of hounds should set upon their superior - because she had more ability and was a woman. Then he paid his respects to the man who wrote a certain Editorial and said it was an outrage in every particularAll this was said loudly in the presence of several Editors. and others agreed with him. He said that these men who lied about a woman, and used their power to crush her, were upstarts - and "had so much hair in their teeth that they could not [col] comb it - saying nothing of speaking plainly". Others joined in with the old man. There is no doubt [but] that it the finest card of the kind that has ever appeared in that space in any paper, and with the County press , it is bound to have good effect - and its sting will remain in Mr Hart's vicinity for an encouraging period. Very truly A.M.Gedney House June 21/86. Dear Miss Dickinson Forgive my delay in replying to your sweet, and welcome letters I thank you for your encouraging interest in me. Yes, I am quite well again. I hope to be able to bear the horrid travel to act is nothing, but to ride on the rails, ugh! Lady Andley must perforce be my best play, until I can secure a better, which you might write for me. I think you might set me onfeel in "Anne" - letting me do the work. coached by you. You travelling with me. & securing for us both, fame, and fortune. Dont like the picture? Dont be angry at my joke seriously, cant you do something for me? I love your writing, & feel I could interpret your noble thoughts Let me know when you are in town & I will call upon you. if you will. Hoping your mother is well again. and that all is well with you I am always affectionately yours Elizabeth McCollom Mrs [?] P Bowers Mrs McCauley left for the west & south yesterday. I delivered your message to her E McCTHE HOME JOURNAL A Newspaper of Literature, Art and Society. Published every Wednesday, Subscription $2 a year. MORRIS PHILLIPS, Proprietors. No. 3 Park Place, New York, 24 Aug 1886 Dear Miss Dickinson There is no ground for dispute over the $ It is assumed that to create a drama is higher than to act it. For a person accordingly, who has the ability to create, to take up the subordinate function of acting is in a certain sense, a lowering of talent. G.P.1886 United States Postal Card NEW YORK AUG 24 [?] ONE CENT Nothing but the address to be on this side. Miss Susan E Dickinson West Pittston, Penn.Chicago Jan 27 /87 My dear Friend I do not seem to here any news to write you but would so like to have you write again that I am going to send you a letter whether there is any thing in it or not. I am glad to here you are some better only wish you were well and could come hear I would love deerly to go with you to California when you go but do not think we will go again very soon [Mr?] No other civilized nation has a place in its political system for such women as Abby Kelly Foster and Anna Dickinson. Among pagan people they would be priestesses and prophetesses of the highest rank. In the United States they were the priestesses and prophetesses of freedom, and every slave emancipated from bondage owes them an endless debt of gratitude.Tallmen goes fishing in June up in Northern Mich beyond Petosky way off in the woods so I expect that will be our next trip there our next I hope it will be this coming Summer is to "Alaska" do come & go too it would do you ever so much good Mrs Dickey is here at the house you remember her and Old Judge Dickey dont you? He died a year ago last June he was such an nice man she said when I wrote to you to be sure andremember her to you I have had a letter from Ella W.W. since I rec'd yours but there is not much in it but "Baby" but she is very well and was then in N.Y. having nice times. Mr Henderson has been East - I rec'd a letter from Mrs. H. yesterday she goes to Philadelphia from Boston they play at the Arch St. Theatre the next two weeks wish you were able to see her. She has made quite a hit. You ask about Pollig he is sofunny I do not think he can swear if he does it is in Spanish he is a very pretty green and has a pretty good disposition but cannot talk a bit good English he says "close de dore" for close the door some one has taught him who could only speak broken English Oh dear I have made a blot. pardon the looks sent you. I cut a slip out of the Evening Journal the show night. will send it to[o] your dear Mother & Sister and a big [?] for yourself Mr T Also sends kind regards AN S.E.TThe Tremont Sea Girt, N.J. Friday 28th Aug '91 My dear "L.B.." Which being interpreted means "Lovely Bear." I see by the "Herald" of this morning your friend "Dr" George H[?] is wakening up to the fact that "Anna" is herself again. You have no doubts seen the item before this - I enclose a "dodger" picked up last night - Simply to give you the name of the Bureau that you may consider if in any way it may be of assistance to you. If the [man?] who read last eve was a specimen of their material, however, I think A.D. would not care to be in such company A perfect bitter. A SS Sea Girt is a lovely spot. When one wants the sea - and we are fortunate, I guess, in having a good house. The weather is, so far, the only disappointing feature. This, however, will be better soon judging from present appearances. The "Girties" are delighted & very happy. I trust you will take good care of that poor stomach of yours during the absence of your Jailor - You must never forget its sensitive weak state, nor allow any indigestible stuff to go into it. See [?] in love and good will Afftey L JNonquitt Mass. Sept.2 1891 Anna dear. - I am trying to say something to you - but I cannot. I have felt too much - grieved too deeply and silently. - loved you too well. But you know me. - And you will understand, Thank you, that you have not quite forgotten me. I feared you had, after sending the littlemessage to New York last April - to which no responses came - Bye & bye, perhaps you will write to me. Remember always that Nellie Messinger loves you, trusts you, and is now, as she has been for more than twenty years, your faithful friend. I shall be in Worcester next week after several weeks at the seashore N. M -Little box came safely and was very sweet letter also was the same - Have had much pain fm my teeth , I go again tomorrow. I'll write very soon. I have some menu cards for Kate to paint & tomorrow is full now for a ten minutes walk - & to write A.EUNITED STATES OF AMERICA PHILADELPHIA Oct 7 3-30P 19 04 PA GERMANTOWN STATION THE SPACE ABOVE IS RESERVED FOR POSTMARK POSTAL CARD. THE SPACE BELOW IS FOR THE ADDRESS ONLY POSTAGE ONE CENT 1843 - McKINLEY - 1901 10-8 1904 3-1A N.Y. Miss Anna Dickinson 1065 Forest Ave New York City N.Y.Carte postale -- Post Card Postkarte Correspondenzkarte - Dopisnice OTKP[b]ITOE II[H}CbMO. - Levelezo-Lap Love to my only SB[?] Goshen, N.Y. MAR 26 530am 1910 Miss Anna Dickinson 1065 Forest Dr New York CityA Happy Easter-DayTwo. Speaking of French novels. - Why in the State of Rhode Island, didn't you tackle into some good fellow who could thresh Reid + Winter, & fill your heart with summers ten months in the year! Nothing but your "meanness" & general deviltry prevented it. How much better to have a man of your own to bulldoze, than to spank the public when you are tried. No, you wanted to play the Sarah Bernhardt, in America. You wanted to show the U.S. and all the people therein, that you despised fate. You wanted to show that you could scale the walls of paradise & steal the Celestial Watermelons without being oncehauled up before the New Jerusalem Police court. If you could have had your entire way, you would have chucked the Rocky Mountains into the Gulf of Mexico, & have moved the tropics up to the North Pole, & the N.P. to New Orleans, - in fact you could have raised perdition generally. But through the providences of the Lord, your arms are not as depraved as your brain, otherwise Our land would be a desolation today. I know & freely admit that at times you were as velvety & as fascinating as the satin [skined] skinned Venus herself, but it was only to get humanity more in your power so that it would be all the more astounded & speechless when you went into one you Byronic spasms of tearing continents into fragments, & flinging the remnants at the spectators. I don't suppose that the world ever contained a more ravishing, life-giving, heaven revealing, hope destroying paradox than yourself. If Jove could have tackled you when you were 18: if he could have stood on Shasta, & have flung a lariat of cable chains over your neck, & have broken it, & smashed you into general chaos & sweetness, you might have been saved. Now I see no hope unless the devil puts in sealed proposals for the reformation. = And all of this is the result of your determinationthree. that no one should love you, nor make you happy, nor work for you, nor pet you when you were sorrowful. No sir E, you wanted to be another Haniball- only happy when alone on a sky shrouded mountain, with glaciers + and avalanches for your [poor plat] flower garden. What a magnificent Roman - platonic - Catherine - of Russia you would have made! You should have had a grand palace on the Tiber - of solid ice - one so builded that the hotter the sun, the harder it would freeze. And then the world should have paid you court - promenading beforeyou in universal procession, _ by Battalions, & by nations. Don't talk about French novels, & French lovers. My private opinn is that while you have been playing the "marble heart" alabaster ice business on the surface before a paralyzed continent, internally you have been a raging Vesuvius with enough red hot lava in you to melt down seventeen systems of stoic philosophy. Plato would have "caved", in two minutes if he [should have] once had encountered this ice_covered volcano which you have been humbugging us fellows with so long. What a glorious, unfading summer might have been kindled in your soul for time + eternity if you had been chained up somewhere so that you would have known nothing but honest modest nature. then when a true man came to you, you would have believed him. Child of grace! You know too much. You are like one of those spirits of whom the poets wite. - that come down to this earth; but the dewy morning, the maiden bleaching her linen or tending her flocks on the mountain side, are nothing to them. They know all about it before the maiden & the flocks were born.Four Mrs. Adam & Satan fell because they wanted to know too much. You have always been dying to investigate the worm that gnawed beneath the bloom on the peach. Why not swallow the peach worm and all & be happy? You have always thought that I was an infatuated puritan who knew nothing of you, & who liked some of the surface things which gleamed in the sunlight which God threw down afore you. the whole trouble with me has been a dumbness. While I was bursting, I could not say what was greatest in me. I have appreciated you and have actually done more for you in my own heart & soul than I can expect to do again. I have lived my life, & now that I too am weariedof the world, I care for neither song nor curse. But I tell you the truth when I say, the human soul is so constructed, that in most cases it cannot be great first, & find love afterward. Love is at the bottom of genius. The sun shines first, then come the flowers & the apples. You have tried to convince the world that you could rise to [every] the highest hight then raise wings at your leisure. I pretend to say _ & I believe it, - that if you had once lost that mighty heart of yours you would have been one of the profoundest & most sacred powers in this land. How great you already are! I well know, but instead of [opt] flashing in bewildering gorgeousness your flame would have burned in serene & continuous splendor like the great sun. Then think of the joy and the unspeakable satisfaction of leaving the kids _ those transfigured legacies of yourself _ to bless & to be blessed by a grateful world. "Go west young woman"!_ is good advice, but "Go & marry", [is] is better. In case you wish to properly rebuke me and you have not time, I will enclose a reply for you. meanwhile I am always, Yours, RM.SHERMAN HOUSE, Chicago, _________________ 187 Dear Miss A. D. There is a man in a Dungeon stripped naked - I think dying in this [Ch??lia?] Jail [Caught?]. - No Air - A Black Hole of Calcutta - Mention it to the Audience - the Jail should be torn down Brick by Brick - Miss A - & Mrs. E.C.S. saw him, To the Rescue. off at 7 30 G.F.T.[* For until I die, I shall be yours wholly and unchangeably - L. S. C.*] I should have come today - Sweet heart, had it been possible. But I walked and fagged, and labored [till] till I could not go further. I am like the poor little doll's Dress maker in Our Mutual Friend - "My back is so bad and my legs are so queer _ Your lovely letter came, Sweet, but I was over come with cares, and I knew not where you were, and so I waited, meaning to see you today. I have been through Red Seas of trouble since I saw you, and I ammake it better. And just now _ when this dear feller comes with such tender chivalry and says "You must not weather this storm alone. I must lead you"_ he draws me unspeakably. And so _ I am to be married on Thursday_ very quietly, asking nobody_ but if you were to be here, I should ask you, for I love you so and we are going away for two weeks and then I am coming back to my work, and he to his, and we are going to make of life as noble a poem as our two hearts can make_ We so tired, that there seems to me to be no rest in the world. I have been thinking, thinking, of the great problem of life, darling. Thinking of it, with your sweet, wise arias in my ears, and your sweet wise face looking into mine. And I have decided. I think it is right, dear, and so I am at peace. Life is only worth its helpfulness to others and this is a pure and beautiful and strong heart which asks me to live within it; and must board, for I am not strong enough for housekeeping. But we still have a prophet's chamber in the wall, at least, and next time you come you are to be mine, and mine only. And we shall have high converse together. Tonight I shall hear you, and write of the woman I love, sure of the genius I revere. I shall try to find some flowers to send you, darling - Will you love me in the new life and by the new name, as in the old; and by the old name?Cambridge Wednesday morn Dear Anna Dickinson, Being one of that outcast fraternity who at "thirty years of age must write Miss before my name," - and mine a masculine affinity! to whom on my way home I could say, in the meekest of all wifely manners, "my dear" &c &c. I and my "sine qua non". discussed the question seriously, whether it were better for us not to have known at all and so not have cared for you at all, or to know you so little as your wandering life gives me the opportunity, and to love you so well as we do, with only these aggravating glimpses of you, with a hundred people listening to every word we say, your few particulars questioning with savage eyes our right to abstract your attention for a moment, and always and forever a commitee man waiting at your elbow to know "your terms." - and then to kiss you good bye in the most nonchalant manner, as if you were no moreto us than to the hundred who at last crowd us away, and let you go off again to another interval of absence and silence. Well, we came to the tearful conclusion, that it is just a wee bit better than nothing, to clasp your hand for a moment now & then, but we "growled" & "scolded" all the way home, because we would so gladly have gone to Philadelphia to be born! if we had only known thee was to be born there, spite of its "bad grammar." I like that little Quakerism) You would have slept soundly (if praises and approbation give you sound sleep) if you had stopped on as many street corners as we did after lecture. The only dissenting voice was a woman's (a female's I mean in the most hackneyed feminine-ity of the term) of course - Men - with a few mean exceptions - are really more fond of the real - & the true than women, and it is a lamentable fact that the minds of most women, like the feet of the Chinese ladies, have been so cramped, by so many decades of pressure and straight lacing, that they have actually learned to regard these dwarfed specimens of brain, soul, heart & life, as the Chinese look upon their stunted & distorted feet - as a positive beauty, and any expansion of either as a moral deficiency, & mental defect. Seriously, though, you never spoke better or more acceptably. Count me in as always sympathizing to the depths of our hearts, and the ends of our fingers with all you say or do, whether for individual or national growth. You must ever be the mouth-piece for all our yearnings and aspirations. Still, the hours of all others when we have most enjoyed the sound of your voice, were here in Chicago - I wonder if you remember sitting on the platform an hour before you spoke to the soldiers at the first fair in Chicago, Mrs Hays & Mrs Livermore guarding you on either side? Who was it that guarded the golden fruit in the garden of the Hesperidis? Well, you do not know that we fought and vanquished those dragons who vowed that we should not listen to you that day because forsooth we had not flaunted in white capes at the booths of Vanity fair; and that we stood at your feet, after you had mounted the chair from which you spoke that day. That was one - and the other was the quiet evening when youwent up the steps of Robert Collyers' pulpit, and talked to us with a pathos which he never exuded, (and I know thee appreciates what that means). On overhearing a discussion on your dress last night, Sue (the same aforesaid) who has a keen artistic eye and a great adoration for the true, the beautiful, and the good, was wicked enough to suggest to me (see what you got by buying Mechlin yesterday?) that "Anna knew enough to realize what a magnificent frame, the great black organ would make for a pretty picture in crimson drapery, and so took advantage of it" I wonder if you are such an "artful dodger"! If so I feel like aggravating you a little by telling you that you never look half so spiritual in any other colors as in what you said once when we were all picking heliotrope in a Chicago greenhouse were your colors "black & white" - next to that - blue - lack of all red? - You will begin to wonder why I have spun this yarn - So far I have diverged from my purpose, which was simply to tell you how to get to our dens as you have promised, and if you don't come the very next time you come to Boston we shall be like roaring lions when you see us next - Now don't ever come as a mere fulfilment of a promise, but when you want to see us, as much as we are always longing to see you, take a plebeian conveyance which you will find in front of the River labelled either North Avenue - Shepard St. or West Cambridge. These cars pass our two doors. You know the old song "Come in the evening or come in the morning Come when you're looked for, or come without warning" &etc - So come any day, Sundays not excepted, but Wednesday & Sat afternoons when we are always in town, and though you will find us in very unpretending homes, you will find us with a warm welcome, and loving hearts - Don't come with a carriage & every minute parcelled out, but come when you can afford to come without a feeling that you are robbing somebody else of their just dues, and if there is anything in these classic fares that you have not seen, & want to see, we'll trot you about to the best of our ability - Meantime take with you our hearty hopes for your health & success: (the latter is an established fact: of the former you must take better care for all our sakes:) and tender wishes for your speedy & safe return to your fine friends C. Alice B. & S. M. S.P.S. If you go "west" give R. C. a good grip for me, and make him give you a photograph of the blacksmith shop in Yorkshire where he worked before he began to hammer on the hearts of men; and if there is a decent picture of yourself extant, wont you please to send us each one?When, o'er the tranquil arch of night, Upon their calm, ascendant way, From Earth's low edge, to Heaven's vast height. The Pleiades God's call obey; Because Orion and his Sons, And Hercules, march through the heaven, From up among the glorious ones, Shall we recall the Sisters Seven? Sweet, starry Sister, though thy track Lead far from where the lilies grow, No word of ours shall call thee back; With voice of love, we bid thee go. As rise the Pleiades, rise thou, And shine o'er souls that grope or sleep Orion's Lord, thee calleth, now. That sphere is thine that thou canst keep. M.B. C. S.P.O. Box.} Boston, Nov. 19 2.444. } No limbo for you, dear friend, except the limbo of my heart, - and you can't get out of that by taking your own time to answer letters. That is the chief charm of a correspondence, for me, - to keep the flag of liberty flying above it! — It seems to me the Fates have some sort of spite against you, in the matter of "imps." Whythe people who need to work, and have a genius for doing something when they do work, can't be permitted to work in peace, is one of the conundrums I have given up. I sympathize with Ingersoll's idea of making health catching instead of disease. — And so you are in New York again? I spent a delightful three days there two weeks ago, as the guest of Mr. E. C. Stedman. And what a kindly, courteous, chivalric soul he is! There is something about a New Yorker that I like. He couldn't have treated me better had I been a real lion, instead of the friend of one summer. - I saw "First Families" - amusing enough, in a way; but that company would make a wage out of the "Farmers'Almanack" enjoyable. And "Hazel", too. - so that I might see the gem of a theatre. It is scarcely better than our new Museum. - Here I have seen little - Morris in Article 47 - a bad play, powerfully presented; the new "Boston" show piece; some of the Museum Comedies; and Madam Roge's bèla : a mere mimic affair after the great Mapleson's. And Murray's lectures, of course. He 2 had a fine reception - is in superb health and spirits, and full of Col. Sellers' ideas of business ventures. — — I am out of the Golden Rule "drag:" thank heaven! And on the Herald ed'l staff permanently: which is a gratifying thing to have done. Also I am living in home-like quarters and surroundings at 25 Linden Park, next to where you once visited us. I have a grand old-fashioned, sunny room,with a big brick open fire place, brass andirons and all - and a big lot of dry oak down stairs! Ah! if you could stretch your slippers out in front of it, in one of my easy rockers, with a little something "warming" near by on the mantel, couldn't we have a visit! Say you will! Sister Bobbitt has another large room across the hall, and the dear boys will be home on Christmas for their 4 weeks' vacation. — I have been recently puzzled over the "Girl:" The papers twist things so. My private ear awaits the true story. I suppose you have seen the Bernhardt. Perhaps I shall - but am more anxious to see Salvini, whom I missed before Well, this is a close! Always heartily W ? ? Anna E. Dickinson.O, Miss Dickinson there was never such a current of public sympathy - public appreciation - setting toward any one as toward you now- it has been one of those thunderstorms that clear the air - It is going to be an over-ruled for sure - I can see - I know it - people who never understood you before will now as by a flash of revelation. - I only pray God that it may not come too late - that you will not let this wear upon you till you have no strength left to respond to a future -But dear Miss Dickinson whatever comes now for a little while - Any temporary anonymous - they are only temporary and do not - do not - let them wear on you - I know the future holds for you possibilities that far exceed anything the past and it will all come with a new Significance and the extinction of all previous malice and uncharitableness L. W. 4-22-'81 Dear Miss Dickinson, do be careful of yourself for you own sake - for that of others - "Not painlessly dear God we cast." — anything, of life or circumstances, but I do not believe you know how utterly prejudice - misunderstanding - wrong-doing is wilted in this fire of present feeling. You told the public some plain truths - with an intensity of utterance that could not but impress the most obtuse and to those sensitive to it there was a tragic intensity that made one sick and faint - It did me - I had no strength left - I did not know language was capable of such white heat. [*__________ to you from others _______*]My Dear Child, For in some things you are yet a child in experience = a child, an infant in swaddling clothes as far as the stage and all its unhappy concomitants are concerned and I could almost wish you could Ever remain so. Write if you will, (and you can) beautiful plays. I have I not heard you lead "Zenobia" and if you chose to lecture on any subject of the day you wouldnot find yourself, or the good you have done forgotten, in the audience that would gladly greet you. Your work lies not on the stage. Walls of darkness on every side encompass you there - and you will be at your life against them to no purpose. So I fear it may be with you. If the most successful actress living should honestly give you the details of her life's trials you would shrink from shaming them. Only those who have broader shoulders, and have been through its deepest depths and know best where the pitfalls lie, can ever reform or elevate the stage. It is not one woman's work but a work for legions. You are not within the free-masonry of sin and the hands of the wearers of the Lock and [luster?] are everywhere against you, because you were not born to their heritage. You can write plays and make these creatures chessmen in your hands, and move them as you will, if you choose it. You are too talented to feel hurt by anything they can say or do. Wishing you well and a bright termination of your vexatious troubles, I do hope that whenyou find "an open pathway to another land" you will not "burn your ships" so you may again return to us a happier and a richer woman - You need to know you have many kind friends and hearts around you Those who may not love the stage but who love you. Pray be patient and remember that "all things come to him who waits" and in the "hottest fire hold still" E.[*Please drop a postal immediately to 162 - E. 38*] 162 E. 38 Sep. 27 - A.M. (Monday My dear Anna Miss Davenport sent me a box case - (Sat 1 evening, so I returned the tickets just received. Mr Nabbertson wants me to see "Deacon Crankett" tonight at Union Square, - would you be ready to go there in case Mr C- & I called for you at 1/2 7 ? [*half past seven ?*] - I want to be there to see the first of it - If not I will see you at 10 AM tomorrow - Tuesday about your in-t-v-w In haste J. C. C.Home Wednesday night My darling, I am not at all well, but I meant, all the same, to drive over to Plainfield last night to see you, and should have done so, had not the shower, and Mr. Runkle's inconsiderately getting himself left at Summit, making it necessary for William to go thither for him, presented. Andit is best for you. I long for you, but you are not to come to make your connections harder for yourself - he decided that it would be easiest for you to come on the Sunday before you were to go to Middletown, and I believe that this is the one - I have asked W. B. and if you would like to see J. H. send him a line to day so - I have told N. B. to obey his Empress in that as in all things, and he waits but the word of authority from you - In addition this morning an accident detained me at home . I'm afraid that I can't go to town tomorrow night to see and hear you , and, although I shall run in by the late train, if I find myself free to do so, I send this note by N. B. lest I should fail. Are you coming for this Sunday? You know that I always want you, my red rose, but, also, I always want you to come whenI will of course send him an invitation myself as soon as I know that you would like it. And is there anybody else? My Queenie, I never wanted to see you more, and I do so hope that you are coming; After all this, I may see your bonnie face tomorrw night, but I hardly dare hope. Tell N. B. or send me a line to Mr. Kinkle's office. If I miss you tomorrow night, I will come down on Friday morning, if I can. Always yours, B [*[1872?]*] Sunday morning My Sibyl, Mr Richardson's danger has held us all breathless, so that I could not come - I did not hear that you were going to the dinner till noon yesterday , too late to write you. I send this [N] little book which I love so much, to you who will understand it, So few eyes are anointed to seethe truth that I am always jealous of giving Thoreau to the unregenerate My darling, I love you, and I send you this little [nous?] volume which I have read too often, because I would rather you shall have mine than one which have not been consecrated by tears and smiles. Good bye, my sweet and Heaven keep you; fair and going. Write me some day when your heart is in it - Yours ever L. G. C.Yes dear I have read yr two letters & card this morning am sick in bed & have been so prostrated with grief over the death of my beloved niece Mrs Marshall that I have no heart or strength for anything else . She passed away on the 6th & for a number of& lie down. If Eleanor were here she wd gladly go to the Libry for me , but she & Claire are both away & no one else is able to help me - I picked up the paper at the Office, & did not [see] know that it was a Chicago paper it seemed afterwards weeks I have been dreading this calamity - as Mr Marshalls letters were not encouraging I have not been able to do any more than go to my office & really not able to do that for a long time. I take the [comtte?] at the door & come immediately homethat it was a St Louis but I dont know I am so sick & so troubled about - Fannie's children If I only cd, have seen her, no one knows how I have suffered in her suffering With love F. I -NEW LINES B&O LOW RATES T.D. FORM 3. 5,000,000. 10.28.84 The Baltimore & Ohio Telegraph Company The company TRANSMITS and DELIVERS messages only on conditions, limiting its liability, which have been assented to by the sender of the following message. Errors can be guarded against only by repeating a message back to the sending station for comparison and the Company will not be liable for errors or delays in transmission or delivery of Unrepeated Messages, beyond the amount of tolls paid thereon; nor in any case where the claim is not presented in writing within thirty days after sending the message. This message is an UNREPEATED MESSAGE and is delivered by request of the sender, under the conditions named above. D.H. Bates, President and Gen'l Manager, New York City. J.E. Zeublin, Gen'l Sup't, Chicago, Ill. E.A. Leslie, Sup't, New York City. C. Seldew, Sup't, Baltimore, Md. Edw. LeLoup, Sup't, New Orleans, La. David Hall, Sup't, Galveston, Tex. Number Sent by Check 29 Bamt 14 pd 14 Dated Washn DC 9 Rec'd at 1140 Bway To....Miss Anna E Dickinson 4/9............188 Victoria Ho NY Have been ill a month at the riggs am sick as you are silent J.E.D