Misc. Married Couples Letters Collection

2005.0028.00299

Norwood August 13th, 1900

My dearest - After days of the most intense heat I have ever experienced in my life there was a slight let up last night, and today, though warm, is bearable. I am so thankful for thee that the heat has broken before thee returned to N.Y. I am waiting for a letter from thee today or tomorrow telling about Long Island - I rather feel that thee may have found some spot there on which we might live. It would be very pleasant to be near the water. Absolutely nothing going on down here - the heat has made movement impossible, and we have not dared put our hwads outside the house until after the sun was well down.

[Margin] My love for thee Margie

I have been so thankful that he is out of this heat. I really think it would have made him sick, but shall be so glad to have him home again. Dear little fellow. I suppose you two will travel down together, and then my cup will be full of happiness for a few weeks anyhow. Don't say any thing about it but Mrs. M. has the Italian bee in her bonnet for next year, and she will get there mark my words, dear; although she has said she will never leave Father again for so long, that will be forgotten, and you will see her tripping gayly off about next Apr. She is better today, has been really wretched

Tom is up for a day or two - he finds the weather quite "reasonable" - glad somebody does. He has a friend with him Capt. Webster U.S.A. - just home from China.

Father begins not to talk as though he thought the Republicans would haave to make a stiff fight to win. He has gone to play whist this morning - "quel enthousiasme". The Signs are still up at the crossroads - perhaps the vandals have concluded to let them alone or are only lying low.

Dr. Elbrey loaned me one of the series in "Les Contemporains" - such a scathing life of Lola Montes - by the way has not thee always understood that Stevenson's wife was [page 2] her daughter? Mrs. Moore thinks it impossible, but I am sure Miss Rodham herself told me, and when she makes a statement it is apt to be exact. Please make another try for the tirage when thee has time, and do go some evening to see Aunt Mary, 244 E. 13th.

It seems many days since thee went away - how much longer must this life go on - courage Margie.

I found thy short pencil, and have it put away for thee. I hear very little of Jean - three postals in the two weeks seems meagre news but doubtless Sister thinks she has written very often.

hay house this morning - have to get exercise when and how I can. The old corn field was fine earth baked brown, stacks green and yellow and thunder clouds hanging low over all. There is a certain beauty in this Southern atmosphere after all - it seems to hang so low, and be all enveloping, and the shimmery quality of the heat is individual. I know just how horney the Studio feel after "High Life"- wish I could slip in myself, and breathe its quiet atmosphere awhile. Remember me to Mr. Crank. Love untold Margie

2005.0028.00309

Norwood, August 18^th, 1900 My dearie - Well at last we have some truth about this Peking affair, and I am as relieved as those poor besieged Ministers - my sympathies have been so wrought upon since the uncertainty of their fate became suspected that I am in a mentally exahusted condition in consequence.

I don't like to cry "Miserie", but the heat goes on with no apparent let up though the mercury usually stops at 89° against 98° which ought to mean a betterment.

Mrs. Moore says she feels like some kind of a hibernating beast living in a darkened room, and only venturing out after nightfall.

2005.0028.0035a

Norwood, Aug. 22nd, 1900. My dearie, Two letters yesterday made me as gay as a Fall cricket - but really when Turner brought the mail yesterday morning my heart beat so violently that I felt as if it would burst all bounds, for if there had been no letter from thee I could not have helped feeling very anxious. But there was one, and such a dear one that my heart has been singing for very joy ever since. I am glad Thee saw Father thought he would drop in at the Studio though he assured me he would not when he left here he is a dear man if ever there was one. Thee would have been amused at a speech Stella made lately. She and Clara were sitting in the swing talking when suddenly the latter remarked "What a big house this is, light windows expensive ones, and hers Thee found the Baedeker for Mrs. Moore. if funds are too low pay no attention to any of my requests. All love Margie

2005.0028.0033q

which delights me. Florence Bentley is here for a few days - the poor child is painfully inert and undeveloped. Dora came over last eve, and I took a short drive her carriage makes driving very pleasant to me and she is most kind about lending it. she is a very sweet woman in many ways. and always a lady. I shall be so glad to see Jean again - I miss his dear little presence very much - I dreamed that she had him in the studio on the way home and he opened the door & slipped out without thy noticing. and thee could not find him - don't that show the unnatural tension of my mind. Just a month from today, and I hope our second son will be born. Lovingly Margie

2005.0028.0033q Norwood August 20th 1900.

My darling, I had quite made up my mind not to write to thee today but the incompleteness of life without some word to or from thee impels me on. A heaven sent change in the atmosphere last night seems to make the world a new and more lovable place this morning - how woefully dependent we are on external conditions. the 2nd vol. of "Les Grandes Dames" lies on my table. I had thought not to read it, but there is a some thing in octave which attracts me despite his Don Juan characteristics and I want to see what Genevieve will do with him