Cary T. Grayson to Alice Gertrude Gordon Grayson
Title
Cary T. Grayson to Alice Gertrude Gordon Grayson
Creator
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Identifier
WWP20971
Date
1916 March 22
Description
Cary T. Grayson mentions that President Woodrow Wilson has an appointment with an occulist; he discusses his efforts to cure Thomas J. Pence with his fiancée, Alice Gertrude Gordon, as well as plans for announcing their engagement.
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
Dearest Gertrude
You were a darling to telephone me this morning. Your influence, encouragement and love, to me, dear, is the most wonderful thing I have be ever known. With your love and heart for me, life is sweeter and dearer than I ever realized before. I am so proud and thankful for you, dear.
I have spent the entire day working on poor Pence. Old was with me for two hours this afternoon—and I had a consultation with Dr. Thayer of John Hopkins. His condition is very grave to-day, but I feel that there is some improvement since early this morning. When he speaks of my you and expresses all he feels and hopes for us, it is almost all I can do to keep the tears back. I feel that I would do anything within reason to pull him back to normal health again. I have not given up hope, yet, although Dr. Thayer and others, think his chances for recovery are practically nil. With your encouragement I feel that I have a chance to accomplish wonders. You are a wonderful unselfish and considerate person to be willing to post-pone the announcement of our engagement on account of Pence. I wish that he could know just truly how fine you are.
I hate to say that I will not be with you this week end—but I have been thinking about it a lot to-day. I am trying some an important and heroic treatment on the patient—and I think it very important that for me to, atleast, see him twice a day for the next three or four days anyway, and then I hope to be able to report progress. If not, I will know that I have done my level best, and am going to you by Wednesday or Thursday anyway. So, sweetheart, do not announce the great secret this week—for I want to be with you when it is done, but not put it off any longer than the middle of next week. I certainly am disappointed in many ways about this Saturday.
You are a perfect darling about it all and I love you all the more for it.
The President goes to Philadelphia early in the morning to consult an oculist and returns immediately. I am to go with him. Old and another Doctor will look out for Pence. I’ll see him early in the morning and again at four or five o’clock, so he will not know that I am away. I am going to telephone you from Philadelphia about one o’clock. Should you be out for lunch please leave word where I can find you.
There are a thousand things I want to write, or say, but I am in very poor form to-night after my experience of the past early morning and all day. I am all right, but feel dull and tired from lack of sleep—I was terribly sorry to hear about Mrs. Flournoy’s fall. I hope that she is improving, and wish so much that I could be there to help her, and you.
By the way, I told Miss Margaret last night. She was leaving for New York this morning to be gone for several days, so I thought it best to tell her. At the time, I thought we were going to tell every body on Saturday. She seemed very happy and even delighted. I emphasized what a greatsecret it was yet.
I have not seen Miss Edith for more than a minute als alone for days, so have had no opportunity to discuss our present and future with her. But I know she is true blue. I hope to be able to see her to-morrow on the way to Philadelphia—Please pardon this poor letter. But remember my great, great love for you, my precious—It is now after ten. I am going to see the patient—and hope for a good night—
CTG
You were a darling to telephone me this morning. Your influence, encouragement and love, to me, dear, is the most wonderful thing I have be ever known. With your love and heart for me, life is sweeter and dearer than I ever realized before. I am so proud and thankful for you, dear.
I have spent the entire day working on poor Pence. Old was with me for two hours this afternoon—and I had a consultation with Dr. Thayer of John Hopkins. His condition is very grave to-day, but I feel that there is some improvement since early this morning. When he speaks of my you and expresses all he feels and hopes for us, it is almost all I can do to keep the tears back. I feel that I would do anything within reason to pull him back to normal health again. I have not given up hope, yet, although Dr. Thayer and others, think his chances for recovery are practically nil. With your encouragement I feel that I have a chance to accomplish wonders. You are a wonderful unselfish and considerate person to be willing to post-pone the announcement of our engagement on account of Pence. I wish that he could know just truly how fine you are.
I hate to say that I will not be with you this week end—but I have been thinking about it a lot to-day. I am trying some an important and heroic treatment on the patient—and I think it very important that for me to, atleast, see him twice a day for the next three or four days anyway, and then I hope to be able to report progress. If not, I will know that I have done my level best, and am going to you by Wednesday or Thursday anyway. So, sweetheart, do not announce the great secret this week—for I want to be with you when it is done, but not put it off any longer than the middle of next week. I certainly am disappointed in many ways about this Saturday.
You are a perfect darling about it all and I love you all the more for it.
The President goes to Philadelphia early in the morning to consult an oculist and returns immediately. I am to go with him. Old and another Doctor will look out for Pence. I’ll see him early in the morning and again at four or five o’clock, so he will not know that I am away. I am going to telephone you from Philadelphia about one o’clock. Should you be out for lunch please leave word where I can find you.
There are a thousand things I want to write, or say, but I am in very poor form to-night after my experience of the past early morning and all day. I am all right, but feel dull and tired from lack of sleep—I was terribly sorry to hear about Mrs. Flournoy’s fall. I hope that she is improving, and wish so much that I could be there to help her, and you.
By the way, I told Miss Margaret last night. She was leaving for New York this morning to be gone for several days, so I thought it best to tell her. At the time, I thought we were going to tell every body on Saturday. She seemed very happy and even delighted. I emphasized what a greatsecret it was yet.
I have not seen Miss Edith for more than a minute als alone for days, so have had no opportunity to discuss our present and future with her. But I know she is true blue. I hope to be able to see her to-morrow on the way to Philadelphia—Please pardon this poor letter. But remember my great, great love for you, my precious—It is now after ten. I am going to see the patient—and hope for a good night—
CTG
Original Format
Letter
To
Grayson, Alice Gertrude Gordon, 1892-1961
Files
Collection
Citation
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938, “Cary T. Grayson to Alice Gertrude Gordon Grayson,” 1916 March 22, WWP20971, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.