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
WWP20848
Date
1915 July 21
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
Dear Gertrude
You well know that I love you with all my heart and I am hungry for you; but you troubled me some Sunday when you showed and admitted that your love had less warmth for me than on on the day before. Saturday was the happiest day of my life.
In the past, at times, you have been inconsistent in words to me—but now that we have reached a satisfactory understanding which has brought me such great happiness—the greatest of my life—because your love means more to me than all else—we must not allow any little a misunderstandings to creep in, either by word or action.
I fully realize that on Sunday the latter part of our time together was somewhat upsetting and unsatisfactory and you were uneasy and confused a little—and I have thought—and do now think so, that what you said in the automobile on the way to Miss Parker’s was due to the aforenamed circumstances. You know, dear, I think that you are so fine and wonderful that no man is good enough for you—with all my heart I want you to be happy and it will be my fondest hope to do my very best to make you so—To say that I have missed you and longed for you but feebly expresses it. There is so much that my heart wants to pour out to you, dear, that I can hardly write an intelligent letter this afternoon—Our return trip was hot on that steel car. Our conversation was limited during the afternoon—we both acted a little sad. I read the greater part of the afternoon and late into the night—but my thoughts were constantly flittering back to you. We arrived safely Monday morning and found Washington extremely hot—but a thunder shower that afternoon made it cooler—The President went for a ride in the park that evening. We had a good talk on various subjects—the German situation— people in Washington, socially and politically—Upon our return to the White House I wrote you a night letter, but upon reading it over I found it was too strong and outspoken for a telegraph wire—and not knowing whose hands it would fall into before reaching you, so I tore it up.
Tuesday, I was up at seven and on the go every minuet of the day. I spent nearly all the morning working on a proposition for Miss Edith’s Brother in Panama—concerning a position with a bank—Don’t say anything to her about this—because I want it to come as a pleasant surprise to her. I would do anything within reason for Miss Edith—and especially so, because she loves you so truly.
I wish you could have heard the President, Mr. McAdoo and Colonel Brower at lunch time. The conversation was most entertaining on the German question. I made some notes afterwords which I may hand down to history.
I have never been on the go more continually than I have since arriving here Monday. Last night Mr. McAdoo kept me up until way after midnight. He is truly a wonderful man—I like him so much. It is really touching the to interest that he shows for you and the fine—tasteful and delicate way he does it. Incidentally, he was the cause of my not writing to you last night. I couldn’t write with him present and talking to me all the time. Don’t think that I am using this as an excuse for not writing. It is really true. However, I excused myself long enough to send you a night letter.
I must hurry this to an end as I have an engagement with the Secretary of the Navy—I love you—woultd that I could be in Annisquam to tell you all about it this very afternoon—You have made me so happy—Strictly upon scriptural principle, I’ve written you (as you see) almost entirely about myself. This is doing unto you as I would you should do unto me. Go, ye and do likewise. Write about yourself—
Cary—
You well know that I love you with all my heart and I am hungry for you; but you troubled me some Sunday when you showed and admitted that your love had less warmth for me than on on the day before. Saturday was the happiest day of my life.
In the past, at times, you have been inconsistent in words to me—but now that we have reached a satisfactory understanding which has brought me such great happiness—the greatest of my life—because your love means more to me than all else—we must not allow any little a misunderstandings to creep in, either by word or action.
I fully realize that on Sunday the latter part of our time together was somewhat upsetting and unsatisfactory and you were uneasy and confused a little—and I have thought—and do now think so, that what you said in the automobile on the way to Miss Parker’s was due to the aforenamed circumstances. You know, dear, I think that you are so fine and wonderful that no man is good enough for you—with all my heart I want you to be happy and it will be my fondest hope to do my very best to make you so—To say that I have missed you and longed for you but feebly expresses it. There is so much that my heart wants to pour out to you, dear, that I can hardly write an intelligent letter this afternoon—Our return trip was hot on that steel car. Our conversation was limited during the afternoon—we both acted a little sad. I read the greater part of the afternoon and late into the night—but my thoughts were constantly flittering back to you. We arrived safely Monday morning and found Washington extremely hot—but a thunder shower that afternoon made it cooler—The President went for a ride in the park that evening. We had a good talk on various subjects—the German situation— people in Washington, socially and politically—Upon our return to the White House I wrote you a night letter, but upon reading it over I found it was too strong and outspoken for a telegraph wire—and not knowing whose hands it would fall into before reaching you, so I tore it up.
Tuesday, I was up at seven and on the go every minuet of the day. I spent nearly all the morning working on a proposition for Miss Edith’s Brother in Panama—concerning a position with a bank—Don’t say anything to her about this—because I want it to come as a pleasant surprise to her. I would do anything within reason for Miss Edith—and especially so, because she loves you so truly.
I wish you could have heard the President, Mr. McAdoo and Colonel Brower at lunch time. The conversation was most entertaining on the German question. I made some notes afterwords which I may hand down to history.
I have never been on the go more continually than I have since arriving here Monday. Last night Mr. McAdoo kept me up until way after midnight. He is truly a wonderful man—I like him so much. It is really touching the to interest that he shows for you and the fine—tasteful and delicate way he does it. Incidentally, he was the cause of my not writing to you last night. I couldn’t write with him present and talking to me all the time. Don’t think that I am using this as an excuse for not writing. It is really true. However, I excused myself long enough to send you a night letter.
I must hurry this to an end as I have an engagement with the Secretary of the Navy—I love you—woultd that I could be in Annisquam to tell you all about it this very afternoon—You have made me so happy—Strictly upon scriptural principle, I’ve written you (as you see) almost entirely about myself. This is doing unto you as I would you should do unto me. Go, ye and do likewise. Write about yourself—
Cary—
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,” 1915 July 21, WWP20848, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.