Buffalo, Sept. 2.1
Yes, my little darling, I am bothered somewhat about that housekeeping business. Even if everything else about it was perfectly delightful I couldn’t bear the idea of your sitting or working alone all day while I was at the office, & you won’t consent to have Hattie Lewis or anybody with you for company. No, sir, as I came out from supper last night, I said to myself (I had just been away up stairs visiting), “It seems to me that Mac & his wife2 are happy & happily situated in their two unpretending rooms—& suppose Livy & I were keeping house out where Larned is, & Livy at home all by herself half the time—& so worried, & tired out, & sick & dej discouraged that she would be a moving object to look upon—no sir, we must n’t think of it for just one year.3 We must board (not in this caravansery, but in a house where there are no other boarders, & where the girl can have somebody to go & speak to when she is lonely.) We must board one year—& then we’ll both be consumingly anxious to keep house—as it is, it would be a great undertaking, right in the middle of a Buffalo winter for two novices like Livy & me.” We’ll talk this over next time I run home, darling, for if you think over it & are still in favor of housekeeping right from the start, why we will keep house right from the start.
I enclose a letter from my sister.4 I really wish I could have her & Annie at our marriage. I’ll think about it.
Remember, Puss, if we can get the Spauldingses & Prof Ford to live with us as you propose, we will keep house, by all means.5 And remember, too, my darling, that your wishes shall be obeyed as to how we are to live, but I only desire that you will think the matter over right carefully, examining it at all points before you decide. It is a dear good little girl to give up her cherished dreams to please me—we’ll talk it all over, Livy—prepare yourself.
Thank you for your mother’s letter—I perceive that they are all enjoying themselves & improving in health, & I am particularly & exceedingly glad of it—& being “one of the dear ones” I have a right to be, have‸n’t‸ I, sweetheart?6
I grieve every time I think of my tube-roses never worn, that she gathered for me.7 But this grieving two or three days brings back no opportunity. I’ll learn to like button-hole flowers because Livy does. —t There shall be something we both love, dearie. If it be not some author, some dainty office of a flower, some manner of living, or other fleeting & unessential thing, then it shall be God.
Yes, dearie, think over all the plans, so that when “— — — —” we can proceed understandingly.
What printed matter written by me have you got stowed away, Livy?8
In am in a hurry, now, & so I kiss my darling good morning & good-day & good-night, & get to work.
Sam.
Miss Olivia L. Langdon | Elmira | N. Y. [return address:] office of the buffalo express
14 east swan st., buffalo, n. y.
[postmarked:] [buffalo n.y. sep ] 1
[docketed by OLL:] 110th
Explanatory Notes | Textual Commentary
Source text(s):Previous publication:
L3, 325–327; LLMT, 106, 359, brief quotation and paraphrase. A postscript formerly
identified by Dixon Wecter as part of this letter has been dated
4–5 October 1868 (LLMT, 359; MTMF, 106; L2, 255).
Provenance:see Samossoud Collection, p. 586.
Emendations and textual notes:
buffalo n.y. sep • [buf]falo n.y. [sep] [badly inked]
