August 9 Friday – In the evening at Tuxedo Park, N.Y. Sam wrote to Miss Dorothy Quick in Plainfield, N.J. some five hours after she’d departed from her Aug. 5 to 9 visit.

Dorothy dear, one of these days I am going to write you a letter the first time I write my other children, but not now, now I haven’t time, because I haven’t anything to do, & I can’t write letters except when I am rushed.

I went to bed as soon as you departed, there being nothing to live for after that, & the sunshine all gone. How do you suppose I am going to get along without you? For five hours this has been a dreary place, a sober & solemn place, a hushed & brooding & lifeless place, for the blessed Spirit of Youth has gone out of it, & left nothing that’s worth while. Aren’t you sorry for me, you fresh breeze blown from fragrant fields of flowers? I thought this was a home. It was a superstition. What is home without a child? particularly a home that’s had such a child as you in it. It isn’t a home at all, it’s merely a wreck. Now I hope you see what you’ve done by going away, you little witch.

It’s odd: this morning I dated that “recommend” August 5. instead of 9. I think it is because you seemed to have been here only one day—just one short beautiful day, without a break in it. I am very grateful to your mother for lending you to me, you dear sweet child. I am aware that you can’t come again in August, but I hope you can come after Sept. 2d & stay a whole week, not a broken one. I mean to expect it & count upon it; & I do hope I hall not have to make any engagements that would interfere.

The Lioness is back, & has given me a nice long account of your journey down, & about the turtle; & has told me that she delivered you safe & sound & happy into your mother’s hands— which is very good news for me.

Are you an idol? I suspect it; for I know you have left a lot of idolaters behind you in this house. Of which the very principalest one is the undersigned.

Please give my kindest regards to all your household. … [MTAq 49].

Sam also wrote a glowing testimonial to Dorothy’s mother, Emma Gertrude Quick, one any mother would be delighted to receive.

Certificate of Character from last place.

———

To all to whom these presents may come, greeting:

This is to certify that I have been in the service of the enclosed

Dorothy Quick

five days: & have found her sober, honest, willing, and unlazy; I desire to further testify that she is always good, & sweet, & thoughtful of others, & winning; also that she is gentle & considerate of her slaves, & never puts a burden upon them that they are not glad to bear. I wish to recommend her in the strongest terms to any worthy free person who is tired of his freedom & desires to exchange it for something better [MTP].

Isabel V. Lyon declined for Sam to William M. Stewart in Rhyolite, Nev., who sent an invitation on Aug. 1 [MTP].

Hugh Beveridge wrote from Edinburgh, Scotland to enclose a copy of the Journal Scotia which contained his review of “Quater Centenary Studies. George Buchanan” on p. 257 [MTP].

Frederick T. Leigh for Harper & Brothers wrote to acknowledge receipt of “Wapping Alice” [MTP].