Poe Archive

North Weymouth
Feb 17th 1852

Dearest of friends,

You will be perhaps surprised to hear from me so soon, but I could refrain no longer. I seated myself last Saturday, but lest you should think it very odd in me to be in such haste, I put away my pen and employed myself as well as I could in some other way.

I hope that you and Lucy arrived at your respective homes without meeting with any mishap. I felt for a moment as I was carried from your sight as if I should be crazy and could scarcely restrain myself from rushing to the door and jumping from the cars, but a merciful Providence watched over me and prevented such a disgraceful transaction. I wonder what kind of imprecation you would have lavished upon me, had I come running back just as you thought yourself so nicely rid of me. My heart was with you until I reached Boston, when I was obliged to turn my attention in another direction in order to avoid being thought odd, peculiar, and perhaps insane. The last glimpse I had of Mrs. Lord was as she stood on the platform of the depot at Haverhill beside her light haired boy, as she termed him. She was as ever social, lively, and entertaining, but I was not then in a state of mind to appreciate the good company I was favored with, my thoughts being with you, and upon you, and of you my darling my beautiful, my blond friend.

We arrived at Boston in due season without accident or any occurrence of much interest, and then began my cogitations respecting the expediency of my calling at Oxford St. as you proposed. It was in vain that I attempted to turn my feet in another direction and argue to myself thus. They are all strangers to me and I am a stranger to them. Edward, I am very sure will be out and I shall be sure to say something so awkward, that I shall be mortified for six months to come, I will therefore pass the time calling on some acquaintances, but conscience “man’s most faithful friend” with reproachful whispers would say, it was the wish of that friend for whom you have made so many professions of attachment that you should call on her relatives and seek an interview with the “son of her love”—it was her last request, it may be the last in your power to grant, obey it then to the very letter and extent thereof, and peace of mind shall be the result. I was thus reasoned into the belief that it was a duty incumbent upon me and that I should be guilty of a most heinous crime in neglecting to perform it. Accordingly, I wended my way to Oxford St. which I found without any difficulty and with considerable trepidation rung the bell at No. 14. I enquired for Edward and to my inexpressible joy, delight, happiness, relief—everything, he was in. We chatted a few moments, he then accompanied me to the U. S. Hotel to see his Father. My joy delight and happiness was yet further increased by an interview with him. I found the dear man sick and tired of the city and pinning for the streets of home and the companionship of her who is all in all to him (pardon me but I must say it) to me. Kind generous soul. Has he told you of the present he made me in your name, so that I must thank you both. He left the parlor for a moment and returned with a little box in his hand, and very handsomely, (I shall never forget the style in which it was done) presented me with its contents, which proved to be an elegant little pearl, Porte Monnaie ornamented with highly polished steel. I was quite overcome, and felt as if I could not accept it. I was prompted at one moment by a sense of my unworthiness to reject it, and the next by the fear of offending him to accept it which I did. And now let me thank you again, once again, for such a valuable token of your affection which I will never, never doubt. I think that Mr. Kingsbury has done his utmost to dispel any doubts which he thought I might possibly have with regard to your continued affection. I am very sorry if he has thought that I wished such a test as nothing was further from my thoughts. I shall ever keep this beautiful souvenir among my treasures nor pollute it by appropriating it to the use for which it was intended. Mr. K. returned with me to his brothers where I remained more than an hour and was treated with great politeness and hospitality.

I reached home about seven in the evening to my Mother’s great joy. Dear old grandmother, too, hearing of my arrival sent for me to come straight over and see her before I retired that night. I went and such a kiss and hug none but grandmothers can give. I have enjoyed myself thus far very much since my return.

We are having a course of lectures which are nearly through. Mr. Stone of Boston lectured last Monday his subject was individuality. It was said to be very humorous and interesting. You must remember me at your lectures and think how much I would enjoy being with you. I hope you will find it convenient to write soon, but do not unless it is perfectly so.

Yours truly,
Mary