Ellen Axson Wilson to Woodrow Wilson

Title

Ellen Axson Wilson to Woodrow Wilson

Creator

Wilson, Ellen Axson

Identifier

WWP14981

Date

1902 August 15

Description

Ellen Axson Wilson writes to her husband, Woodrow Wilson, while he is away from home.

Source

Library of Congress

Publisher

Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum

Subject

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924--Correspondence

Language

English

Spatial Coverage

Princeton, NJ

Text

My own darling

I am so delighted with these “proofs” that I feel as if I couldn't bear to have the plates destroyed! Are you perfectly sure that the one you selected is better? People arn't always good judges of their own pictures. Won't you at least write at once to the photographer asking him, if it isn't too late, to keep these plates until I see the finished one? If I only knew the name of the man so as to hurry off a note to him direct! I am really excited on the subject.

Just at this point it occurred to me that I would do better to send a note to Agnes asking her to save the plates if possible, since you will be so far from Boston. So I hurried off a note to her and am resuming this at night. How I hope those plates are not destroyed! There are two of them, the one in the “Pach” position, 3/4 face, square shoulders & the full face which we think splendid! By the way the class of '91 has out a book with the Pirie McDonald picture as frontispiece and it is much better than the photo; the eyes are superb and some little change in the shadows has made the mouth better. Odd, isn't it?I am perfectly delighted at what you tell me about the Perrys. Both at the prospect of having them here and at her improved health.

That reminds me somehow of our house. I told Mr. Fielder that we could not get out of it until Oct. and also that we would not lease it at present but only rent by the year as we might sell. I said “we aren't anxious to sell but every house has its price you know.” I understand for instance that Mr. Davis wants a little place in town.” He said “that's so, he is in my hands at present.” So I said, “well if he will pay enough he can have ours, — say $25,000” and he exclaimed, (which is why I repeat the conversation) “Oh, you are putting the price too low! You should ask $30,000,–at least to begin with”! What do you think of that? $30,000 would mean an addition of $1500 a year to our income, –counting the $300.00 that this costs us.

Father is all right again today. He was so tired and excited yesterday afternoon from his visit to “Prospect," that he was treatened with an attack and took the medicine. But he escaped it.

I am just as well as possible, never felt better. The weather keeps all the time at exactly the temperature best suited to my physical well-being, and I feel fit for anything. In the morning I wake rather early and,–having nothing better to do!– take a hot bath and go back to bed and read for a while. Then I get up and do my exercises in a leisurely and exhaustive manner and come down to breakfast feeling fine. Ed Elliot turned up last night, leaving this morning. He was very natural & attractive but had spoiled his looks with a horrid little Frenchy mustache.

With love unbounded, believe me, dear heart, always and altogether,

Your own Eileen

You will laugh at the letter from Gibbs. Do make the “Harpers” allow the poor dear to waste his money if he wants to. He doesn't realize how much cheaper it would be to ask you some silly question and get a whole autograph letter instead of a signature.

Original Format

Letter

To

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/WWP14981.pdf

Citation

Wilson, Ellen Axson, “Ellen Axson Wilson to Woodrow Wilson,” 1902 August 15, WWP14981, Ellen Axson Wilson Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.