Letter from Charlotte Cushman to Emma Crow, February 22, 1858
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Library of Congress, Charlotte Cushman Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
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[53]: If I confess to the pleasure I felt in seeing your +++ letter of the 3rd Feb[ruary] (postmarked 5th) will you find therein a proof of the love which you ask me to declare, or will the exacting heart of my dear “little love” as for “more” like a +++ “journey +++". Alas how can I tell you but in deeds: words are so poor, & I have to write so many. That I am in truth tired of them. Would you desire better proof than that +++ should each have dispatched a letter to the other on the self same day? Was not this true sympathy?. But ”love[?]” mine, how is it that the letter which I enclosed for you to forward for me/upon business to be seen/ should have been +++ +++ & answered & the answer forgotten - & my “+++ +++ letter love” – as she +++ herself. should suffer +++ to be all this long wich without a +++
[reverse]: Did my note frighten you that you were making a monster which you could not easily subdue? No! Are you ill? I pray +++ no. I should indeed be sad! Why then am I so long without a word of reply to my letter of the 4th: Or do you think that yours of the 3rd should bring a response from me before you write again? You are naughty & dont deserve the comfort which you say you find in my picture, a naughty pet, & I am half +++ to take it away from you when I come back again – or else not come back at all. What would you say to that? At all counts I shall not be with you so soon as I expected not before the 8th if at all. Now if you had written as you ought, very likely I should have come on the 5th but every day you delay I will stay away longer. Ah, is that not unkind? No no, I will come, pet, but not before the 8th April. – You will be glad to hear that my success here has been
[54]: very great. The friends whom I met in the boat coming down have been stopping in the same hotel & have been more than kind & attentive so that I have not had an opportunity of feeling lonely, in fact have not been able to command as much +++ as I should have liked. I remain here until next Sunday the 28th, when I go to Mobile, where I remain until the 14th March (remember that your letters take six days to reach me here & seven to reach me at Mobile “Battle House” so don’t let me lose any letters you may find +++ +++ to send. Most likely I shall stop here two or three days on my return from Mobile & +++ for Memphis on the 17th. I remain in Memphis until the 27th. I think it only takes 3 days for a letter from St. Louis to Memphis – on the 28th I go to Nashville – where I remain until the 2nd of April – then I believe I go to Louisville for a night or two & then on to you [underlined twice]. I should have been very very happy to have had you with me here, darling. New Orleans has been very gay & my good friends of the boat & here are great friends of your Father +++ & Mrs[?] Harry[?] Stone of New York – they would
[reverse]: have chaperoned you in all the parties +++ [tape over parts of words] opera goings?, balls +++ & I should have had the comfort of your presence when +++ my morning & evening labours & you would have been very happy. +++ +++! I must now content myself with a three days visit to St. Louis. But you will come to Rome! I have sort of faith that you will come. The Stones? are promising to come & we should make a very merry party. I am glad you are reading Ruskins Modern Painters - he is a true poet. if one may use that +++ of a prose writer & one cannot faithfully read him without his proving?. Do you know his Stones of Verse +++ will? Do you continue to like +++ son? Tell me what you like best!
Tuesday 23rd – I have waited, hoping last night would bring me a +++ from you – but, no! Na, my little love +++ from the pretty dream, if so, I shall not hear again, ah will. I will hope & believe notwithstanding appearances which are so cloudy Bless you my child I hope you are not ill only forgetful. I can easier bear the latter than the former. Believe always in the +++ affection of your loving friend
Charlotte Cushman