Edith Bolling Wilson to Woodrow Wilson
Title
Edith Bolling Wilson to Woodrow Wilson
Creator
Wilson, Edith Bolling Galt, 1872-1961
Identifier
WWP14884
Date
1915 August 18
Source
Edith Bolling Wilson Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, District of Columbia
Language
English
Text
Geneva
11—30 P.M./1915
My Precious Lord -
This has been the most wonderful day— so cool and bracing that one felt new life and energy in the very air — and I went to return eleven calls this afternoon – and did not get back until dinner time.
After dinner Mrs. Endicott had asked us to come for a game of “Auction;” and we really had a jolly time – She, & her sister Miss Seward are good fun They, too, live in N. Y. but have a lovely old home stead here –Geneva is really a very attractive place – and has some very nice people – I wonder if you will come here with me some time, will you? I am afraid my letter of this morning was so hurried it was not presentable, but I could not do any better- and I was awfully worried about the news from Panama –I don't wonder Rolfe was so beside himself – and wish with all my heart I could have really helped them – Thank you again my dearest one for all you did to help them and me – and for your ever ready sympathy. But I will not fill my letter with that, for there is nothing to be done — and I am thankful George Litchfield got away without doing any thing violent — Today at noon I had the sweetest letter from Margaret — and she surely knows the way to my heart when she says such exquisitely sweet things of you — I am going to send it for you to read and get you to send it back to me for I appreciate all she says so deeply— and think she has been so wonderful in her attitude toward me – From the very first she has made me feel she was glad— and I can't help feeling that her attitude, had it been the reverse of what it is – could not only have made both of us unhappy but would naturally, and un consciously have influenced the younger girls – And so, I not only love and appreciate her, but I admire her very thoroughly and will always do anything in the world that I can for her happiness.
The more I see and know of these three “little women” the more I realize their superiority and fineness — And I only hope I can make them know how I love them– and feel that I never want to come between them and you — but rather to cement the bond that is already so strong between youWhen you have any opportunity to impress this fact upon the girls will you Dearest, for they have all been so “big” in their welcome to me— I want them to know they can count on me – and my anxiety to be one with them in my love for you — but never to usurp a place – or claim you from them –I am glad you approve of my telling Mother, Bertha & Randolph — I knew you would– and I am just as sure that they will all love and admire you when they know you – and will welcome any opportunity that will let them know you. But as Mr. & Mrs Rose will be there a week I may decide not to say anything until after they go — but I will be guided by circumstances, and will, of course, write you everything.Yes, Dear Heart, it is a bargain – we will cheat seperation of its victory by putting more in our letters than even our lips can say — Really, this is easier than it would seem – When we recall how little we do say when we are together – we mostly know each others thoughts through the windows of the soul – instead of speech – so when we can not see deep into each other's eyes we have to form these subtle under thoughts into concrete form – and make at least a black and white sketch of them – in order to convey our meaning —I am all “trued up” again, and seeing straight, and now that it is 12–30 I must stop and try to go to sleep.May all the peace that passeth understanding come to you — and keep and bless you-!
Thursday–11–a.m Do you know, my dearest One, you have a very dangerous rival I have found here in Geneva – he is the most fascinating person with big brown eyes – soft as velvet – and the most bewitching ways – He lives next door– and when ever I go on the porch he comes over and we have jolly times together which accounts for my delay in getting earlier to my desk this morning — as we have been playing a game — He is only four –but as full of quaint ways and cleverness as little Josephine – I must tell you some of his funny sayings when I see you– Do you remember Miss Waring – Miss Parker's guest at Cornish? Well, she visited Mrs Rose before going there – and was very sweet to this small person next door– so yesterday Mrs. Rose asked him if he remembered Miss W– and he said “Yes— I remember how she bored me — but I love Mrs. Galt” which, of course is to show you what a really discriminating mite he is —I got your dear letter an hour ago – and I am afraid I read through the assurance that you are well just a little doubt — Else why did you not play golf– and stay on the sofa loafing?
I know what that continued, and awful heat is – and don't wonder you felt unequal to effort – but please Woodrow, if you can get away again next week, go – I only wish Cornish was more bracing — I think a week where it was crisp and cold would do you no end of good — How about going up to Harlakenden for the 28th and then motoring to Col. House– and stay there a few days?
– I imagine that is cooler and you might enjoy it. It seems a shame for you to have to resort to the Secret Service car for a ride – and I shall look anxiously for tomorrow's letter telling me the whole truth in regard to yourself and if you really are well– For myself—I can honestly say I am perfectly well, again – I think the cool weather was what I needed–and I have no more headache and sleep from twelve or one to eight without intermission –We expect to get off early tomorrow morning — and Mr. Rose is still a little uncertain as to which route to take – It is longer to go by way of Albany—but the roads are supposed to be better– However, he thinks if we have no rain today he may choose the shorter way by Watkins Glen – So you see it is impossibly to tell you where – or in what direction to follow us in your thoughts – but I will mail you a letter tomorrow before leaving and write from our first days destination where ever that may be — But hours are so uncertain in a motor – Should you fail to hear don't be uneasy for I solemly promise to let you here if anything goes wrong – either by telephone or telegraph Good bye my Sweetheart –
Please keep well –
Edith
11—30 P.M./1915
My Precious Lord -
This has been the most wonderful day— so cool and bracing that one felt new life and energy in the very air — and I went to return eleven calls this afternoon – and did not get back until dinner time.
After dinner Mrs. Endicott had asked us to come for a game of “Auction;” and we really had a jolly time – She, & her sister Miss Seward are good fun They, too, live in N. Y. but have a lovely old home stead here –Geneva is really a very attractive place – and has some very nice people – I wonder if you will come here with me some time, will you? I am afraid my letter of this morning was so hurried it was not presentable, but I could not do any better- and I was awfully worried about the news from Panama –I don't wonder Rolfe was so beside himself – and wish with all my heart I could have really helped them – Thank you again my dearest one for all you did to help them and me – and for your ever ready sympathy. But I will not fill my letter with that, for there is nothing to be done — and I am thankful George Litchfield got away without doing any thing violent — Today at noon I had the sweetest letter from Margaret — and she surely knows the way to my heart when she says such exquisitely sweet things of you — I am going to send it for you to read and get you to send it back to me for I appreciate all she says so deeply— and think she has been so wonderful in her attitude toward me – From the very first she has made me feel she was glad— and I can't help feeling that her attitude, had it been the reverse of what it is – could not only have made both of us unhappy but would naturally, and un consciously have influenced the younger girls – And so, I not only love and appreciate her, but I admire her very thoroughly and will always do anything in the world that I can for her happiness.
The more I see and know of these three “little women” the more I realize their superiority and fineness — And I only hope I can make them know how I love them– and feel that I never want to come between them and you — but rather to cement the bond that is already so strong between youWhen you have any opportunity to impress this fact upon the girls will you Dearest, for they have all been so “big” in their welcome to me— I want them to know they can count on me – and my anxiety to be one with them in my love for you — but never to usurp a place – or claim you from them –I am glad you approve of my telling Mother, Bertha & Randolph — I knew you would– and I am just as sure that they will all love and admire you when they know you – and will welcome any opportunity that will let them know you. But as Mr. & Mrs Rose will be there a week I may decide not to say anything until after they go — but I will be guided by circumstances, and will, of course, write you everything.Yes, Dear Heart, it is a bargain – we will cheat seperation of its victory by putting more in our letters than even our lips can say — Really, this is easier than it would seem – When we recall how little we do say when we are together – we mostly know each others thoughts through the windows of the soul – instead of speech – so when we can not see deep into each other's eyes we have to form these subtle under thoughts into concrete form – and make at least a black and white sketch of them – in order to convey our meaning —I am all “trued up” again, and seeing straight, and now that it is 12–30 I must stop and try to go to sleep.May all the peace that passeth understanding come to you — and keep and bless you-!
Thursday–11–a.m Do you know, my dearest One, you have a very dangerous rival I have found here in Geneva – he is the most fascinating person with big brown eyes – soft as velvet – and the most bewitching ways – He lives next door– and when ever I go on the porch he comes over and we have jolly times together which accounts for my delay in getting earlier to my desk this morning — as we have been playing a game — He is only four –but as full of quaint ways and cleverness as little Josephine – I must tell you some of his funny sayings when I see you– Do you remember Miss Waring – Miss Parker's guest at Cornish? Well, she visited Mrs Rose before going there – and was very sweet to this small person next door– so yesterday Mrs. Rose asked him if he remembered Miss W– and he said “Yes— I remember how she bored me — but I love Mrs. Galt” which, of course is to show you what a really discriminating mite he is —I got your dear letter an hour ago – and I am afraid I read through the assurance that you are well just a little doubt — Else why did you not play golf– and stay on the sofa loafing?
I know what that continued, and awful heat is – and don't wonder you felt unequal to effort – but please Woodrow, if you can get away again next week, go – I only wish Cornish was more bracing — I think a week where it was crisp and cold would do you no end of good — How about going up to Harlakenden for the 28th and then motoring to Col. House– and stay there a few days?
– I imagine that is cooler and you might enjoy it. It seems a shame for you to have to resort to the Secret Service car for a ride – and I shall look anxiously for tomorrow's letter telling me the whole truth in regard to yourself and if you really are well– For myself—I can honestly say I am perfectly well, again – I think the cool weather was what I needed–and I have no more headache and sleep from twelve or one to eight without intermission –We expect to get off early tomorrow morning — and Mr. Rose is still a little uncertain as to which route to take – It is longer to go by way of Albany—but the roads are supposed to be better– However, he thinks if we have no rain today he may choose the shorter way by Watkins Glen – So you see it is impossibly to tell you where – or in what direction to follow us in your thoughts – but I will mail you a letter tomorrow before leaving and write from our first days destination where ever that may be — But hours are so uncertain in a motor – Should you fail to hear don't be uneasy for I solemly promise to let you here if anything goes wrong – either by telephone or telegraph Good bye my Sweetheart –
Please keep well –
Edith
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Files
Collection
Citation
Wilson, Edith Bolling Galt, 1872-1961, “Edith Bolling Wilson to Woodrow Wilson,” 1915 August 18, WWP14884, Edith Bolling Wilson Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.