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
WWP15791
Date
1919 June 8
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
Dearest—
This is the warmest day that we have experienced over here. I hope it is not real warm in Washington. They say to-day is unusually hot for Paris, but it would not be considered a bad day for Washington.
the President, Miss E. and I motored out to the cemetery where Lafayette was buried. the President placed a bronze wreath upon Lafayette’s Tomb. Engraved on the wreath are the words—“To the great Lafayette from his fellow servant of liberty, Woodrow Wilson—
Dr Axson was present for lunch—then, we all went for a four hour’s motor ride to Rombidier and return. We found a motor car in the road capsized and three occupants badly disfigured and one of them in an unconscious condition. I rendered first aid assistance etc. Miss Benham usually goes off Sundays with Admiral Krupp. She and I went to the Wallaces for dinner to-night. It was a big, sf stiff, formal affair—but the hosts did their parts handsomely.
General Pershing was there. He, Grasty and I had a fine talk after dinner. I seem to always draw as a partner at the table or one or more old dames loaded down with jewels. To-night was no exception.
Dr Axson has asked Miss E. and Miss Benham and me to go to a matinee to-morrow afternoon. It is a French play. This recalls a French play I attended in Washington—which began at eight o’clock. At 10.30—I adjourned and spent an hour with poor Senator James, returned at 11.30 to escort you home, but the play kept on until nearly one o’clock. The only word thing I understood was “tres bien,” which I thought was so inappropriate. The only occasion I ever even thought any one would be justified in hollering fire in a theater. Let us hope to-morrow will be better.
If you were here I would love to go just to be with you, my dear. Do not know when we will sail for home, but soon, I hope.
Good-night, I dined with Lloyd George to-night. He gave the dinner for me. The other guests were Mr. Bonar Law, of the Exchequer—General—Sir Henry Wilson—Chief of Staff of the British Army. Sir Maurice Hanky and Lady Hanky. Miss Stephenson and Lloyd George’s little daughter Megan about fifteen years of age.
It was a most def delightful evening. I cannot help but like Mr. Lloyd George immensely. He is so fascinating and has such a charming manner—has a noble face and eyes like an Eagle’s. I am describing this evening at length in the diary so will not do so here. After dinner, he asked Miss Stephenson to play on the piano which she did beautifully. He said for the Admiral, the guest of the evening, I am requesting you to play, Sewanee River, Carry me back to old Virginia, My Old Kentucky Home, and the Missouri Waltz. All through dinner he talked to me about Virginia—Stonewall Jackson—whom he considered as a general equal to Hannibal, Caesar and Napoleon. Then he branched off to the present war—The Italians, who are now thought to be dealing secretly with the Germans—the Peace Conference and individuals that he and I had seen much of in the past six months. He greatly admires the President’s intellect and says that he is the fairest and squarest man he ever come in contact with. I stayed until Eleven o’clock. He gave me his autographed picture to remember him by when I returned home.
He is one of the,—sm if not the smoothest and finest politicians I ever met. In America he woud would make a great success as a US Senator. I must say good-night, as it is very late. I have dictated to Wagner all the proceedings of the day—including to-night’s.
Dearest love to the boys and the very dearest to the finest little mother and partner in the world—I had a gallop in the bois early this morning—8.30—with Mr. Buckler—half brother to Mr. Henry White. Answered a number of letters—saw several visitors for the President, went with BMB to see a little French boy who is quite sick. Called to see Mr. Henry Morgantheau who is indisposed. Had some newspaper people for lunch for the purpose of getting out some propaganda for the Allied Cause. In the Afternoon I spent about to two hours writing with Grasty. To-night, I dined here—after dinner read a number of papers to the President—relative to Italy—also on the subjects of Greece and Turkey—and now am going to call Wagner for some work.
I shall be happy to see you and the boys. Good night—I received your letter of May 31. to-day, as usual it made me very, very happy to hear from you. Letters never meant so much to me before as yours do. I am so glad that you are not going to remain in Washington in the that awful heat awaiting my return. You always do the sensible thing and show fine judgment.
I suppose that we will land in Washington about the first of July. The President will probably remain there a week or more before starting on his Western tour.
During that in interval in Washington I am counting on being with you at Stamford. Then, when I return from the West, I am planning to have another little holiday with you and the boys.
I am glad that you are going to have Louise Hellen near by and Mrs. Potter. I suppose, of course, you will take the Marmon. Would Clements be of any assistance to you if you had him at Stamford. He could clean the car, keep it in running order and be a protection and general utility man. Think this over, and before doing anything about it, consult Alice. This is only a suggestion. Please don’t treat yourself “skimpy,” I want you to have all the comforts and conveniences you need, so please, do well by yourself. I would much prefer deny myself many other pleasures for your comfort and pleasure this summer. You rate the best. My precious, brave and wonderful darling.
I am so interested in every word you write about the boys.The courier goes this afternoon so I must hasten to get this in the pouch. There is so much I want to tell you, yet, I can say so little in a letter. When I am away in the West this summer, I am leaving with you the diary to read. That will be my one long letter which I have written you over here. Most of the news in it I have not mentioned in my letters, so it would be new reading for you. Everything I can do is for you & the boys and I hope it will bring pleasure. With all my love—
CTG
This is the warmest day that we have experienced over here. I hope it is not real warm in Washington. They say to-day is unusually hot for Paris, but it would not be considered a bad day for Washington.
the President, Miss E. and I motored out to the cemetery where Lafayette was buried. the President placed a bronze wreath upon Lafayette’s Tomb. Engraved on the wreath are the words—“To the great Lafayette from his fellow servant of liberty, Woodrow Wilson—
Dr Axson was present for lunch—then, we all went for a four hour’s motor ride to Rombidier and return. We found a motor car in the road capsized and three occupants badly disfigured and one of them in an unconscious condition. I rendered first aid assistance etc. Miss Benham usually goes off Sundays with Admiral Krupp. She and I went to the Wallaces for dinner to-night. It was a big, sf stiff, formal affair—but the hosts did their parts handsomely.
General Pershing was there. He, Grasty and I had a fine talk after dinner. I seem to always draw as a partner at the table or one or more old dames loaded down with jewels. To-night was no exception.
Dr Axson has asked Miss E. and Miss Benham and me to go to a matinee to-morrow afternoon. It is a French play. This recalls a French play I attended in Washington—which began at eight o’clock. At 10.30—I adjourned and spent an hour with poor Senator James, returned at 11.30 to escort you home, but the play kept on until nearly one o’clock. The only word thing I understood was “tres bien,” which I thought was so inappropriate. The only occasion I ever even thought any one would be justified in hollering fire in a theater. Let us hope to-morrow will be better.
If you were here I would love to go just to be with you, my dear. Do not know when we will sail for home, but soon, I hope.
Good-night, I dined with Lloyd George to-night. He gave the dinner for me. The other guests were Mr. Bonar Law, of the Exchequer—General—Sir Henry Wilson—Chief of Staff of the British Army. Sir Maurice Hanky and Lady Hanky. Miss Stephenson and Lloyd George’s little daughter Megan about fifteen years of age.
It was a most def delightful evening. I cannot help but like Mr. Lloyd George immensely. He is so fascinating and has such a charming manner—has a noble face and eyes like an Eagle’s. I am describing this evening at length in the diary so will not do so here. After dinner, he asked Miss Stephenson to play on the piano which she did beautifully. He said for the Admiral, the guest of the evening, I am requesting you to play, Sewanee River, Carry me back to old Virginia, My Old Kentucky Home, and the Missouri Waltz. All through dinner he talked to me about Virginia—Stonewall Jackson—whom he considered as a general equal to Hannibal, Caesar and Napoleon. Then he branched off to the present war—The Italians, who are now thought to be dealing secretly with the Germans—the Peace Conference and individuals that he and I had seen much of in the past six months. He greatly admires the President’s intellect and says that he is the fairest and squarest man he ever come in contact with. I stayed until Eleven o’clock. He gave me his autographed picture to remember him by when I returned home.
He is one of the,—sm if not the smoothest and finest politicians I ever met. In America he woud would make a great success as a US Senator. I must say good-night, as it is very late. I have dictated to Wagner all the proceedings of the day—including to-night’s.
Dearest love to the boys and the very dearest to the finest little mother and partner in the world—I had a gallop in the bois early this morning—8.30—with Mr. Buckler—half brother to Mr. Henry White. Answered a number of letters—saw several visitors for the President, went with BMB to see a little French boy who is quite sick. Called to see Mr. Henry Morgantheau who is indisposed. Had some newspaper people for lunch for the purpose of getting out some propaganda for the Allied Cause. In the Afternoon I spent about to two hours writing with Grasty. To-night, I dined here—after dinner read a number of papers to the President—relative to Italy—also on the subjects of Greece and Turkey—and now am going to call Wagner for some work.
I shall be happy to see you and the boys. Good night—I received your letter of May 31. to-day, as usual it made me very, very happy to hear from you. Letters never meant so much to me before as yours do. I am so glad that you are not going to remain in Washington in the that awful heat awaiting my return. You always do the sensible thing and show fine judgment.
I suppose that we will land in Washington about the first of July. The President will probably remain there a week or more before starting on his Western tour.
During that in interval in Washington I am counting on being with you at Stamford. Then, when I return from the West, I am planning to have another little holiday with you and the boys.
I am glad that you are going to have Louise Hellen near by and Mrs. Potter. I suppose, of course, you will take the Marmon. Would Clements be of any assistance to you if you had him at Stamford. He could clean the car, keep it in running order and be a protection and general utility man. Think this over, and before doing anything about it, consult Alice. This is only a suggestion. Please don’t treat yourself “skimpy,” I want you to have all the comforts and conveniences you need, so please, do well by yourself. I would much prefer deny myself many other pleasures for your comfort and pleasure this summer. You rate the best. My precious, brave and wonderful darling.
I am so interested in every word you write about the boys.The courier goes this afternoon so I must hasten to get this in the pouch. There is so much I want to tell you, yet, I can say so little in a letter. When I am away in the West this summer, I am leaving with you the diary to read. That will be my one long letter which I have written you over here. Most of the news in it I have not mentioned in my letters, so it would be new reading for you. Everything I can do is for you & the boys and I hope it will bring pleasure. With all my love—
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,” 1919 June 8, WWP15791, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.