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46 letter 15  To Richard Henry Stoddard [May 26, 1859] Kennett Square, Pennsylvania Thursday Night Dear Dick I waited to hear from you before writing again—I sent mother1 a letter this week. I have been sick since Monday—the tension of my nerves gave at once. I had a sore throat, continued menstruation, back ache & cold in the bowels. I have been in bed all the day nearly, but I feel much better tonight. I am sick generally when I go from home & you. We preserve each others vitality. It would do your heart good to see Willie’s health and happiness. He is already well browned. He is good and very intelligent. He attracts the folk here. He likes Fred2 greatly and goes with him to the field and rides in the cart. This afternoon he has been hard at work picking cherries. He rushes into my room with leaves and flowers, and says, “for you Mama put them in water”—I take the greatest delight in him. He is stronger already. I have been down tonight to see our baby,3 it looked a better color and has lost some of that restlessness. I do like Mrs. [Nothelfer?]4 very much but I do not think the child will live very long. It is delicate, she thinks its stomach is weak. I am very sad when I see it. Its blemish is very decided now. I am thankful that it is so that I can have it taken care of and so well. I could not do it. A better place and a better person could not be found I believe for him. Bayard has gone on the authors excursion to Ohio, he will be back on Saturday he went Tuesday. I see there is a letter for him from you. I don’t think he could stay here long at a time. He has not the contemplative faculty. They are so kind to me here. What have I done to deserve such friendship? And how can I ever make returns. They want you to come down and you must, have you an idea how long your [illegible] as Wilse5 calls it will last you? I cannot stay here a very big while you know—I must go home and work too—and cheer 47 you—only I can’t much. You will have some new shirts soon I have engaged an ample old lady to make them. I wish you would send me five dollars. You have a dull time of it do you? You remember though that in these latter days we have not seen much of each other. You like to sit up ’o nights and read, write and smoke and I love to go to bed to sleep and dream, but I do love my home after all—it is so pleasant and attractive in memory! It is best for me to go away sometimes. I value my possessions including my husband.— Friday pm— This letter I did not send this morning because some one would have been obliged to go to the PO very early this morning. I have written a short letter for Cala.6 If you have time will you put in some theatricals7 if not let it go short. I feel better today. Willy got into the beehive this morning. Annie8 & Emma9 both wished to get him away Emma fought the bees, and got stung in the lips—she rolled in the grass, and pulled some up & put it on her mouth. Annie brought him off with two stings on the hand. He roared well. He is well. I hope George10 will bring his thick shoes. Have you spoken to Carlton11 yet. My thumb is still quite sore—I long and hope to get well, so that I may receive & give the embraces you love— Your own EBS Manuscript: Ripley Hitchcock Collection, Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University notes 1. Probably Stoddard’s mother, Sophia Gurney Stoddard Gallon. 2. Possibly Bayard Taylor’s younger brother, Charles Frederick Taylor (1840– 1863). At the time this letter was written, Stoddard and Willy were staying with the Taylor family at their home in Kennett Square. 3. The Stoddards’ second son was born on May 4, 1859, and suffered from a severe cleft palate that made it difficult for him to swallow and take nourishment. Due to his poor health and uncertain future, he remained unnamed, as was the convention with very sick infants in the nineteenth...

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