Annie Adams Fields — [?] Jun. 1862
To ANNIE ADAMS FIELDS
[mid-June 1862], New York City
My dear Annie,
I have only time to say I am safely here, came in about half past seven and before the cars stopped began to feel my old scare of being left alone coming on fast, the great inhospitable world being represented just then by hack-drivers and scuffling newsboys, when I caught sight of Mrs. Fremont & Miss Lily’s[1] faces and settled down instantly into a consciousness of home. They had not yet taken possession of their house so we all went together & found it lighted and tea soon ready— The laurel faded brown—but I kept the fresh sprigs & gave her as a happy omen from you.
I hardly can realize that I have bidden you goodbye in truth and that it may be years before I see Boston again, if ever. You both, when I see you, will have a Wheeling setting. I hope it will be soon.
No, I won’t try to say anything of these last two weeks nor the kindness nor thoughtfulness that filled and warmed them. I am sorry—but when I sincerely feel anything, I can say least. But you know—don’t you? Not long ago a friend of mine said to me, her eyes full of tears, ‘You, every woman has a right to summer days in her life.’ I only want to say that you—both of you—have commanded such days into mine, and that I won’t forget. Write to me soon—I look for a package this evening from Mr. Fields—but write a letter and don’t feel relieved that the parting guest has been sped, will you? My love to Ariel[2] and—and the salt fish if I must be honest—and say good morning to the bay for me.
Yours always
R
Notes
Jessie Benton Fremont and her daughter Elizabeth (Lily) Benton Fremont.
Probably referring to Annie’s husband and RHD’s editor, James T. Fields; in 1861 when Lucy Larcom visited the Fieldses she wrote a poem referring to James as Annie’s “Ariel” (Rita K. Gollin, Annie Adams Fields: Woman of Letters [Boston: U of Massachusetts P, 2002], 106-107).
Key Words
travel, Fremont
Source
Richard Harding Davis Papers, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia
Contributor
S. M. Harris