[Letter of 1875 August 21]

[Letter of 1875 August 21]

1875-08-21

Amusements

Picnics

African Americans -- 19th century

Anderson, Caroline Still, 1848-1911 [recipient]

image/jp2

Correspondence

This material is made available for private study, scholarship, and research use. For access to the original letter or high-resolution reproduction, please contact the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection (blockson@temple.edu; 215-204-6632).

Temple University Libraries, Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection

William Still Collection

Blockson manuscripts

William Still Collection

Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Libraries

blockson@temple.edu

BMS010X0109

Excuse this miserable writing “my pen is poor/ my ink is pale” &cc./ 1532./ 3rd St Washington D.C. August 21st 75/ Dear Caroline/ I received your letter telling/ of your safe arrival home. I was sorry to know/that you had trouble with your baggage fortunate/ly however it proved not to be a serious trouble/ that stupid man he never thought to ask-/ where you were going and I in my haste/ forgot all about it I am glad you both/ were so well pleased – with the Washington/ visit you may now be encouraged to come/ again and I will promise to sustain the/ favorable opinion which you have formed/ of our City my Sister came walking in/ [last?] Wednesday morning [w?]e were not/expecting her then an hour after her-/ arrival the postman brought a letter telling/ us he might expect her very soon. The/ Writer was already on the ground to speak/ for herself. Well my Dear our play time is/almost over I dont think I [?] wa[xx?] very much/ of a playtime this year but two weeks from/ monday[sic] next – school begins and that means/ hard work. The Excelsior picnic came off at/ the appointed time last tuesday[sic] quite a large/ crowd were in attendance in some respects/ this picnic was better than the one given by/ the [haverlys?] and – from another stand point/ I am inclined to give the palm to the last/ mentioned club. The crowds was[sic] great almost/ too greet and – some parties drifted in who/ were certainly objectional[sic] to decent people/ this became apparent in the dance several/ times it became necessary to referee invita/tions to dance simple because one was/ entirely ignorant of the person from whom/ the invitation came and thus were compelled/ to forgo the pleasure of tripping the light/ fantastic too this did not happen on-/ every occasion and he frequently made/ up parties from our own set and then it/ was delightful for the music was better/ than on the first occasion there were just/ the same bad arrangements for going to/ and from the Island if anything there/ were fewer row boats and the crowd had to/ come and go in that old flat boat of/ course [w?]e had the usual afternoon showers/ Mr Sampson’s party were caught in the rain_/ and they presented the appearances of a party/ of Gyps[xx?] when at last they got into the City/ our Church have been holding a fruit fes-/tival for the past week it was quite/ successful the tables were prettily arranged/ with fruit and flowers refreshments were/ served by the young Ladies of the Congregation/ and as the prices were quite moderate/they succeeded in disposing of the articles/ on hand. Miss Sythe called with her Cousin/ Mr. Matthews. She returns to Baltimore this/ week. I hear that Mr Grimke has resigned/ the principal ship of the school in the/ Country and intends going to Princeton to/ study for the ministry it is said here/ that George Mitchell is going to resign his trustee/ship and apply for the Position I dont think/ he would be a success in this position for/ he is too indolent. There were numerous/ inquiries for the Philadelphia Sadi[e?]s at the/ pi[cni?]c many regrets were expressed that your/ visit was such a brief one. Sammy Cook-/ continues to improve much to the gratification/ of his large circle of friends. I thank you for/ the picture of Mr Wiley I think it a good/ one now send your and Willis and I will/ have the whole of your little family tell/ Julia I send my love. and – I also want/ her picture. I was sorry to hear that she/ was sick hope she is all right now –the/ folks. in the house wish to be remembered/ to both of you. Mr Sampson says he/ will have to defer this “Colored question”/ until your return. Write Soon./ Yours Sincerely Chanie/