Edith Bolling Wilson to Alice Gertrude Gordon Grayson
Title
Edith Bolling Wilson to Alice Gertrude Gordon Grayson
Creator
Wilson, Edith Bolling Galt, 1872-1961
Identifier
WWP20845
Date
1915 July 6
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
Cornish, NH
"Harlakenden"
Dearest little Girl
How many letters I have written you in my thoughts since I said goodbye over the phone two weeks ago!
There never seems a minute in this charming spot to settle down to write, and I am so glad you will soon be here yourself for an old time talk—
Bless your heart how I do miss you—and I have pictured you and all those dear Converses together, and wished I might run in and see you. Give them eachone my fondest love, and ’specially to Mary—Dooley—Peggy, Rip, Gy and little Mary—and tell them I love them all—I hope the good care and petting they always give you is doing you lots of good—and that you will get back your color and weight. Helen says tell you I look lots better, and she is doing her best to follow out your orders concerning me—and I certainly do feel like another person—She and I have the most delightful sleeping porch—where we have our breakfasts sent to us every morning—and stay till ten or later gossiping—I am ashamed to tell you that so far I have not been able to do much toward making Helen gay—and enjoying the people here as you told me—but the awful rains last week prevented people from calling—and only yesterday did a stack of them come—but we were all out motoring, so missed them—Helen, Jessie and I are asked to lunch with Miss Slade on Friday—and then I believe there are one or 2 other things spoken of—We went to Miss Parker’s for “Tea” one afternoon and I wanted to tell her you had told me of her, but there were several parties and she was so busy I could not get hold of her—But hope to again—Cary is the only giddy person in the house—he goes four or five nights a week to dinner parties, and all the people seem crazy about him—and he really does look so much better.
The few times he honours us with his charming presence at dinner I notice he takes eats every thing with real appetite, and often takes a second help—Then he says he sleeps like a top—and so I feel quite happy about him—The only thing is we see very little of him, he is in such demandHe and the President play golf—(when the weather permits) and we sometimes catch him for a motor ride in the afternoon—Then at night the Pres– reads to us—and we sit ’round a big wood fire—and work and have a fine time—It is the most restful, care-free existence and I am getting lazy—We have been all over the country in the car—and I was surprised to find Lake Sunapee a mere step away—one could easily motor over and have a long call between lunch and time to get home for dinner—We have found a lot of quaint little “Tea” places—and it is lots of fun when the President goes with us, and they discover who he is—and get so overcome they can’t talkHe, Jessie and I went one afternoon, in spite of the rain—and at Ascutneyville found the “Corner Cupboard” where we went in for “Tea”
Just as we were in the midst of a quiet Tea party he was discovered—and one old lady came out and said—“Well, I have just been told our President was here so I came to shake his hand”—of cours he got up and was nice to her and tried to talk but she was suddenly struck dumb. Finally—(gazing out at the pouring rain) she said—“Its been a lovely day hasn’t it?—I mean for a rainy day” Then she turned and fled—But to show their appreciation of his presence—they lighted a quaint old parlor with dozens of tall white candles—and asked us to come in there—Now I must stop—but my thoughts and love for you, go on forever little girl—and I am so happy you are coming—It looks now as though CTG will be here until next week—But of course one day may change everything Call me up when you come—Tender love—and a big kiss—
EBG
"Harlakenden"
Dearest little Girl
How many letters I have written you in my thoughts since I said goodbye over the phone two weeks ago!
There never seems a minute in this charming spot to settle down to write, and I am so glad you will soon be here yourself for an old time talk—
Bless your heart how I do miss you—and I have pictured you and all those dear Converses together, and wished I might run in and see you. Give them eachone my fondest love, and ’specially to Mary—Dooley—Peggy, Rip, Gy and little Mary—and tell them I love them all—I hope the good care and petting they always give you is doing you lots of good—and that you will get back your color and weight. Helen says tell you I look lots better, and she is doing her best to follow out your orders concerning me—and I certainly do feel like another person—She and I have the most delightful sleeping porch—where we have our breakfasts sent to us every morning—and stay till ten or later gossiping—I am ashamed to tell you that so far I have not been able to do much toward making Helen gay—and enjoying the people here as you told me—but the awful rains last week prevented people from calling—and only yesterday did a stack of them come—but we were all out motoring, so missed them—Helen, Jessie and I are asked to lunch with Miss Slade on Friday—and then I believe there are one or 2 other things spoken of—We went to Miss Parker’s for “Tea” one afternoon and I wanted to tell her you had told me of her, but there were several parties and she was so busy I could not get hold of her—But hope to again—Cary is the only giddy person in the house—he goes four or five nights a week to dinner parties, and all the people seem crazy about him—and he really does look so much better.
The few times he honours us with his charming presence at dinner I notice he takes eats every thing with real appetite, and often takes a second help—Then he says he sleeps like a top—and so I feel quite happy about him—The only thing is we see very little of him, he is in such demandHe and the President play golf—(when the weather permits) and we sometimes catch him for a motor ride in the afternoon—Then at night the Pres– reads to us—and we sit ’round a big wood fire—and work and have a fine time—It is the most restful, care-free existence and I am getting lazy—We have been all over the country in the car—and I was surprised to find Lake Sunapee a mere step away—one could easily motor over and have a long call between lunch and time to get home for dinner—We have found a lot of quaint little “Tea” places—and it is lots of fun when the President goes with us, and they discover who he is—and get so overcome they can’t talkHe, Jessie and I went one afternoon, in spite of the rain—and at Ascutneyville found the “Corner Cupboard” where we went in for “Tea”
Just as we were in the midst of a quiet Tea party he was discovered—and one old lady came out and said—“Well, I have just been told our President was here so I came to shake his hand”—of cours he got up and was nice to her and tried to talk but she was suddenly struck dumb. Finally—(gazing out at the pouring rain) she said—“Its been a lovely day hasn’t it?—I mean for a rainy day” Then she turned and fled—But to show their appreciation of his presence—they lighted a quaint old parlor with dozens of tall white candles—and asked us to come in there—Now I must stop—but my thoughts and love for you, go on forever little girl—and I am so happy you are coming—It looks now as though CTG will be here until next week—But of course one day may change everything Call me up when you come—Tender love—and a big kiss—
EBG
Original Format
Letter
To
Grayson, Alice Gertrude Gordon, 1892-1961
Files
Collection
Citation
Wilson, Edith Bolling Galt, 1872-1961, “Edith Bolling Wilson to Alice Gertrude Gordon Grayson,” 1915 July 6, WWP20845, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.