To Jane Lampton Clemens and Pamela A. Moffett
25 June 1870 • Elmira, N.Y.
(MS: NPV, UCCL 00481)

My Dear Mother & Sister:

‸We‸ Were called here suddenly by telegram 3 days ago. Mr Langdon is very low. We have well nigh lost hope—all of us except Livy. Mr. Langdon, whose hope is large is one of his most prominent characteristics, says himself, this morning, that his recovery is only a possibility, not a probability. He made his will this morning—that is, appointed executors1—nothing else was necessary. The household is sad enough. Charley is in Bavaria. We telegraphed Munroe & Co., Paris, to notify Charley to come home—they sent the message to Munich. Our message left here at 8 in the morning & Charley’s answer arrived less than eight hours afterward.2 He sails immediately. He will reach home 2 weeks from now. The whole city is troubled.3

As I write (at the office,) [at dispatch ] arrives from Charley, who [has sn ] reached London, & will sail thence on 28th. He wants news. We cannot send him any.

Affectionately

Sam.

P. S.—I sent $300 to Fredonia Bank for Ma.—It is in her name.

Explanatory Notes | Textual Commentary

Editorial Signs

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1 Langdon’s executors were his widow, his son Charles, John D. F. Slee, Theodore W. Crane, and Clemens (Jervis Langdon).

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2 According to the Elmira Saturday Evening Review, the telegram was sent “at 8 A.M., and a reply received back at 3 P.M.” (“To illustrate . . . ,” 25 June 70, 5).

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3 During the spring and summer of 1870 both the Elmira Advertiser and the Elmira Saturday Evening Review reported on Jervis Langdon’s condition, with the Review issuing bulletins on a nearly weekly basis (Elmira Advertiser: “City and Neighborhood,” 2 May, 15 June, 8 Aug 70, 4; Elmira Saturday Evening Review: “Local Jottings,” 26 Mar, 23 Apr, 18 June, 25 June, 9 July, 23 July, 30 July, 6 Aug 70, 8).

Description of Texts and Provenance

Source text(s):

MS, Jean Webster McKinney Family Papers, Vassar College Library (NPV).

Previous publication: L4, 156–157.

Provenance:see McKinney Family Papers in Description of Provenance.

Emendations and textual notes:

at dispatch • [sic]

has sn • [‘n’ partly formed]