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

WWP20875

Date

1915 September 12

Description

Cary T. Grayson comments on the potential for war with Germany in this letter to his future wife, Alice Gertrude Gordon.

Source

Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia

Language

English

Text

Dear Gertrude

Your letter of arrived in due course of mail and found me anxiously awaiting it.

So, I am not to receive any more words of endearment; or, letters for ages, because you were “spoiling me” and that you must “show self control.” Furthermore, you are afraid, some one, out there, perhaps, would see the mail—and suspect something. Evidently, while writing to me you were suffering from one of the very worst inconsistent moods.

Can it be that even the few letters I send embarrass you for fear some person, or persons might be suspicious and that you would rather not hear from me for ages than take a chance of creating such an impression out there?

This is all so different from the dearest girl who promised me at Cornish that never would she desert me. I cannot believe you mean what this letter conveys; yet, it surprises and distresses me.

Your letter of was wonderful and made me happier than any letter I ever received; but the one of the had a tone of regret—but for the handwriting I would have thought it was written by a different person.

However, your fears were not confined to Buffalo because you said your next letter would not be sent to the White House, but to the Metropolitan Club—My visits there have been daily but no letter. The old regulars of the Club have welcomed my frequent visits—and declare I have returned to the fold.

Although, I am writing on White House stationery to-night from necessity, I shall not complicate the situation at your end by using an envelop to match.

Henceforth—exit White House paper.

I wish more than I can say that I could see you to-night. There is so much I want to talk to you about which I could explain so briefly, in person, and but poorly in a letter. If you were not so far away I would drop everything and go to you direct.

For the welfare and happiness of both of us we need to get to-gether—I would give anything in reason to be able to see you right now. The way I miss you is something terrible.

All my faith; hope and love is centered in you. Guard it well, sweetheart. I feel so sure of your great loyalty; but remember this heart of mine has been bruised and hurt so many times that I am almost skeptical about every one except the one girl whom I love to so truly and sincerely—you.

If I could only be near you; just to be able to touch you would bring me joy. Sweetheart, could I caress; fondle and love you and feel the warmth of your love in return would give me the great happiness that only you could give. I want and need you so, as I have often said before; but it is more than ever now—oh! so very, very much. Oh! that I had you by me this very minute. Just think how happy we both would be. “It hurts,” more & more. I want you so.

Don’t you think the strength; warmth and ardor of my tremendous love for you and only you, will satisfy you? Tell me, dear, tell me truly! Something that I know not of caused that complex letter from you, an followed by a silence. I am not going to think, suspect or worry until I hear from you direct. I trust you. Colonel Edward T. Brown was taken ill with pneumonia in New York. He sent me for me last Saturday. I went to New York and with two other doctors helped all I could. It looked bad for awhile, but the crisis was reached Tuesday so I returned Wednesday. He is out of danger and recuperating rapidly.George Harrison and Ed. Harts were on the train going to New York.

I asked Harrison to lunch with me on the train but he had already accepted an invitation with Mr. Warburg. Incidently, Mr. Warburg nearly talked me deaf, and rewarded me by presenting me with a copy of Winston Churchill’s Far Country.

Closely as I was confined with the Colonel, I had opportunities to see numerous acquaintances. One afternoon I motored out to Sleepy Hollow Country Club. This was Sunday.Senator J Ham. Lewis of Illinois was stopping at the same hotel—we had some very pleasing times together.

One day I lunched with Judge Lovett, who you know is President of the Union Pacific rail-road—successor to E.

H. Harriman. When I am next in New York, I have promised to go out on Long Island to Judge Lovett’s country place & spend the night. You would like him—he is an exceptionally fine man.Senator Ollie James and I took in the Belmont Park races one afternoon.

For sentimental reasons I bet on a horse—notwithstanding, it was contrary to the best dope and information from the wise ones, and my horse won—it was a steeplechase—very exciting. The horse was named Little Hugh, after my red friend, Dr. Hugh Nelson.

You see Virginia sentiment pays, sometimes, at a race track. I expect to go back to New York the when Arch. is due to arrive. Dudley Field Malone has offered me a boat to go down to Quaroutine to meet him. I have a wooden key which I am going to present him with—to the City of New York. Belinda is to be there also.

Dr. Harvey Cushing spent eight months abroad—returned recently. I went to see him—also to hear him lecture. I was disappointed.

Sub rosa—our situation with Germany now is worse than it has ever been. By the time you get this, it may mean war with this country. There is so much on the international situation I should like to write, or better still, tell you. I have a lot of secrets stored up to tell you. In case of war, do you want me to go?

Miss Edith is home. She is more beautiful than I ever saw her. We have had one good talk only. So much to talk about that we touched in the high places, as it were. She is disappointed about us,—nothing to tell—is all I said, in substance. She seemed so startled to hear that—Miss Bones is also here. I telegraphed for her. The situation was desperate.

I am loaded down with other’s troubles now—You would be glad if you knew some of the things I’ve accomplished for others.

This is a terrible long letter and I apologize for it. This is Sunday night and I have devoted it to reading and writing. The weather is the hotest of the season. I am not going to inflinct inflict another such letter on you.

Yours sincerely

Cary T. Grayson

Sunday.

Original Format

Letter

To

Grayson, Alice Gertrude Gordon, 1892-1961

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/D03014.pdf

Citation

Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938, “Cary T. Grayson to Alice Gertrude Gordon Grayson,” 1915 September 12, WWP20875, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.