The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe - Edgar Allan Poe [1289]
I have looked again for the pencil-sketch of Mrs. S. but cannot find it anywhere. I took down all the books and shook them one by one, and unless Eliza White has it, I do not know what has become of it. She was looking at it the last time I saw it. The one you spoilt with Indian Ink ought to be somewhere about the house. I will do my best to [fin]d it.
I got a sneaking letter to-day from Chivers. — Do not tell me anything about Annie — I cannot bear to hear it now — unless you can tell me that Mr. R. is dead. — I have got the wedding ring. — and shall have no difficulty, I think, in getting a dress-coat.
Wednesday Night.
[T****ll] n(m?)ight [**d *****o(w?)n *****] dear Muddy, [. . . . ] [page 6 (?):] also the letter. Return the letter when you write.
Edgar Allan Poe to Maria Clemm — September 10, 1849
Old Point Comfort, Va: Sep. 10. Monday Evening.
My own darling Muddy,
I wrote you from Richmond more than 10 days ago,. (approximately three words scratched out beyond readability) and telling you a great deal of news. I cannot tell you how anxious I have been at not getting an answer. If you have not written, for god’s sake write immediately and tell me what is the matter. Direct, as usual, to Richmond, where I will be in about a week or
[pro]poses for me to go, immediately after the marriage, to one of her houses — the one she is in now — and send for you to join us at once — there we will remain, only for the present, until we can make what other arrangements we please. So hold yourself in readiness as well as you can, my own darling mother — but do not sell off or anything of that kind yet, if you can avoid it — for “there is many a slip between the cup & the lip” — & I confess that my heart sinks at the idea of this marriage. I think, however, that it will certainly take place & that immediately. (rest of page cut off, including the signature)
(separate fragment, possibly the close of this letter)
God bless you, my dear “Muddy” Your own Eddy.
Edgar Allan Poe to Maria Clemm — September 18, 1849
Richmond Va Tuesday — Sep 18 — 49.
My own darling Muddy,
On arriving here last night from Norfolk I received both your letters, including Mrs Lewis’s. I cannot tell you the joy they gave me — to learn at least that you are well & hopeful. May God forever bless you, my dear dear Muddy — Elmira has just got home from the country. I spent last evening with her. I think she loves me more devotedly than any one I ever knew & I cannot help loving her in return. Nothing is yet definitely settled [(The beginning portion of the letter just quoted appears to be a copy by Maria Clemm. The next section is in Poe’s own hand) ] and it will not do to hurry matters. I [lec] tured at Norfolk on Monday & cleared enough to settle my bill here at the Madison House with $2 over. I had a highly fashionable audience, but Norfolk is a small place & there were 2 exhibitions the same night. Next Monday I lecture again here & expect to have a large audience. On Tuesday I start for Phila [Philadelphia] to attend to Mrs Loud’s Poems — & possibly on Thursday I may start for N. York. If I do I will go straight over to Mrs Lewis’s & send for you. It will be better for me not to go to Fordham — don’t you think so? Write immediately in reply & direct to Phila. For fear I should not get the letter, sign no name & address it to E. S. T. Grey Esqre.
If possible I will get married before I start — but there is no telling. Give my dearest love to Mrs L. My poor poor Muddy[.] I am still unable to send you even one dollar — but keep [The following section again appears to be a copy by Mrs. Clemm ] up heart — I hope that our troubles are nearly over. I saw John Beatty in Norfolk.
God bless & protect you my own darling Muddy. I showed your letter to Elmira and she says “it is such a darling precious letter that she loves you for it already”
Your own Eddy.
Don’t forget to write immediately to Phila. so that your