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238 letter 83 To Edmund Clarence Stedman June 30, 1902 New York City, New York 30th June My dear Stedman This morning when I was waiting for the day to begin I was thinking that if you left me, what should I do? And more I have the happy news of your getting better fast—only take care. I seem to be running behind, attack upon attack strikes me, then of course like the frog in the well I go back three steps.1 The Dr has changed, or rather given me a new remedy, and for two days I am improved. Did you ever have a set of gaps every one of which has lashed me round the body and made me hotter? Yesterday I only whimpered when they started. Stoddard visits me half a dozen times a day coming up the stairs like swift tortoise. I have been here in this room since 22 April, not until the gap band round my body vanishes can I say I am getting well. I am awfully discouraged at times, I want to get up to settle affairs—nothing suits me. Sat the signers who are to have what I leave were here, with a bank man and my lawyer, whom I did not choose, Stoddard gets on very well he walks out with Pedro2 several times a week. I can read and write as you see, and I beg you to hold on to your will, when I think of Lorry’s will and fortitude, and I am thinking of him nearly every hour. Make believe this is a cheerful letter. Thank Mrs Stedman for thinking of me— Your ES I haven’t control of my mind to write right yet. Manuscript: Edmund Clarence Stedman Papers, Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University 239 notes 1. Stoddard became ill with double-pneumonia in the spring of 1902. On May 8, 1902, Stedman told Elizabeth Akers Allen, “Of course we gave her up for lost, as she is 79, but she has pulled through & bids fair to slowly recover” (Elizabeth Akers Allen Papers, Colby College). 2. Pedro Nicolas Piedra (1871–19??) was a male nurse who cared for Richard when his health deteriorated after Lorry’s death. Piedra immigrated to the United States from Matanzas, Cuba, about 1890. Alice Breüder (see Letter 79, note 2) married Pedro Piedra on February 23, 1904, after Richard’s death. The couple inherited most of the Stoddards’ furniture. ...

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