Millet to Stoddard: June 9, 1875
Letter 4: Letters of Frank Millet to Charles Warren Stoddard: May 10, 1875 - January 3, 1900
My dear Charlie: -- Your last with the letter to Donny Adams came the day before
yesterday. The A’s were booked for going away on Saturday, and not having
received the letter I went up to call on Mr. Warner on Saturday last and on my
way home dropped in on the Fletchers. Found Mrs. F. out and Dudee at home
spooning with a young man. As I was evidently de trop, I skimmed off on my ear
as soon as I could and left ‘em alone. But I, in the course of my short chat asked
Dudee if I might present Donny, assuring her it was your desire etc. etc. that they
should know each other. Dudee of course “would be only too happy” and I was
[page 2] going to accomplish the deed this week but your letter came as I have
said and I immediately sent it up by Toni. Donny got dressed to go and present it
then got scared and concluded she would not heard the lion in his den and came
trotting down here to consult. After much begging she succeeded in persuading
me to accompany her that evening. Took the gondola, went up the canal, found
Dudee starting out on a spoon with a fellow – the same one – they didn’t see us.
We turned about, got alongside and fired the whole broadside at once. Mutual
interchange of compliments between the young ladies, much soft soap and
entertaining chatter for a few moments. Engagement to meet and swap letters
on Wed. (this afternoon). We turned about [page 3] and drove on, gaumed about
a little and came home. So after very much talk about it Donny at last has met
her idol!! --- Speriamo that she has not created too exalted an ideal. Mr. and
Mrs. Warner have gone to the Harris’ to stay as I found and as I went to call last
night. I haven’t seen ‘em yet, left your letter and was to call when they were in
which wasn’t last night. Now I suppose mother Harris will tote ‘em down here.
Gossip:--
Rosenberg has married Mrs. Van Hamm, the mother of the little sculptress he
was so much interested in. Mrs. Harris has spent all winter in getting her (Mrs.
H’s) property transferred or twisted about so I could be of service to [page 4]
them here and now the poor Mrs. Harris is in agony because she has spent all
her time and efforts to help the Van Hamms and has only feathered the nest of
Rosenberg whom she hates most cordially.
Gossip # 2. Someone has written Dudee that Miss Adams is engaged to Will
Green. It is to my mind only a mistake in the Miss Adams. They meant Donny
& not the ____ Adams. Donny doesn’t look displeased at the reception of the
rumor.
“Bless you my children.”
Ben comes down every night now.
I’ve been sick. Began a week ago Sunday and could not work or anything until
Monday last so lost a [page 5] straight week. Was in bed or rather on top of it
most of the time. Couldn’t stand it any longer and went to see a doctor. He said
it was rheumatism and gave me something to rub on and now I am all O.K. I got
this rheumatism from working out on the loggia in the draughts and too the damn
winter has foiled it up I suppose. I didn’t know what was the matter, suffocation,
pains etc. That’s why I didn’t write you last week.
About meeting in Brussels, I must be there about the 10th of July. The best way
to do is this. You plan now to take the Harwich boat on Friday the ninth of July
and on the morning of Saturday the 10th I will meet you at the dock in Antwerp.
The boat leaves Harwich on Monday, Wed. & Friday and this is the best route
[page 6] by all means. You go to the Bishopsgate Station. Train leaves about 6
p.m. and you buy a ticket to Antwerp simply enough second class is good
enough unless you want to come swell. If by any mischance I am not there, go
direct to the Hotel du Americain, Rue aux Lits, where I used to live and they will
fix you up. You will find Americans there too. But I shall be there on that date
unless we make a new appointment. If I have to change this date a few days
sooner or later I will let you know in time enough. If you can’t come then let me
know and if you fail at last moment direct to me care of American Consul,
Antwerp. I see no reason why I cannot be there on the 10th but as I’ve said if I
cannot I shall know it long enough beforehand [page 7] to be able to give you
warning.
I have lost all ambition and am only anxious to get away.
Since I got your last letter I have passed two good nights dreamless and waking
only in the morning. I recon it was the influence of the letter or the prayer.
The Adamses say I am always thinking of you – they ought to know.
Write me often.. that’s a good boy. I’ll do the best I can. All send regards. I
send more than the sum to the whole with a sandwich of love between the slices.
Eat and be happy.
Love with all my heart
Frank
[Additional note]
Thursday, June 10 P.S. I open this to tell you that it is a damned scirocos day and that yesterday the Warners called; also Miss Fletcher came to the door to inquire the way to the Adamses. Warner says he shall write you soon. He’s got heaps of stuff on hand, lots of newspaper work etc. Wishes he could transfer some to you. He will stay here three weeks to write up his Egyptian trip. Benson came day before yesterday. Ben, Arthur, the Adamses and I gaumed in the moonlight last night until 11 p.m. then came in and ate strawberries & cherries and sucked all the eggs in the house [Note: this is an old saying and means that people talk about things as if with authority but the ones they are talking to already know what they say, so it is no new news]. They will send regards. Miss F sends love and “I will write.”
The A’s think they may meet us in Bruxelles after all. I don’t believe it. Yours
[drawing of bleeding heart with arrow through it] How high is that!
Frank
