Ellen Axson Wilson to Woodrow Wilson
Title
Ellen Axson Wilson to Woodrow Wilson
Creator
Wilson, Ellen Axson
Identifier
EAW02211910
Date
1910 February 21
Source
Library of Congress
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924--Correspondence
Language
English
Spatial Coverage
Princeton, NJ
Text
Princeton,
My own darling,
I am hoping for a letter sometime today; perhaps it will come before I seal this; but I must not wait for it as I must go to a tea later. Speaking of "teas" Mrs. Fine is giving one tomorrow to the graduate students and I have got to "pour" at it! Isn't that a farce? I suppose she thinks it a master stroke to bring all parties together and end all differences. Isn't she diverting?
Of course I do not want to fill my letter with "facts and fancies" on the usual subject. But I am sure it will do you good to know about the position taken by the undergraduates, so I am enclosing their resolutions and editorial, - resolutions passed by the senior class. Paul van Dyke to Ivy in a fury about the resolutions, "banged on the table" and told the boys they were insulting to Mr. Pyne, etc. But the fellows stood their ground perfectly and took back nothing. Think of that at Ivy. I send under the same cover two editorials, one to hearten you up, and one to make you laugh. It is really witty, is it not? There is really no other news to write, so you need not suppose I am holding anything back for your good! Perhaps I should say I have no other news, - not being in the way to hear it.
Mr. Kirk preached this yesterday and he and Jessie went to Phila., together this morning, Jessie to the dentist. It was delightful to have Mr. Kirk here, - cheered us all up. He is a tremendous partisan of yours, and such a cheerful, manly, straight-forward person; and so interesting too, a real personality. His sermons were fine - just like him. In the morning it was on one's life choice - “And when Moses was grown he went out unto his brethren and looked on their burdens.” But you should have heard him at night! It was on Nehemiah the Jewish leader, his struggles with all sorts of difficulties, - the various tests he was put to and how he met them, - ending with the time when his life was in danger and he was urged to take refuge in the temple, - and he said "Should such a man as I flee"! It was prepared after five o'clock that afternoon avowedly suggested by the situation here; - yet he was wise enough to make its direct appeal to the seminary students. The analogies were startling enough even with that precaution. Mr. Dulles told him afterwards that he was "sorry he had heard him" - it had made him regret so desperately that they had not secured him. He is tremendously in earnest has enormous force and vitality. If we could only have preachers like that on the board. He comes again in April to the Philadelphian Society and will spend the night with us. I hope you won't miss him.
Back from the "tea" and have just paid Sigrid off & told her goodbye. She goes in an hour or so. I don't remember whether I mentioned in my last that she was leaving. Her seventeen year old sister lands in New York tomorrow, and as she can't speak the language they are to stay together in New York for the present. I have no one in her place yet - am expecting a coloured girl to "fill in."
Nell is back but Jessie comes on the late train. It is pouring and I would they were all under cover. Margaret goes to NY to the opera tomorrow with Mr. Shipman, and next week I believe, she goes with Mr. Fogel. So she is very happy! I went in to the dentist on Saturday (am through now,) and in the afternoon saw an excellent play, "The Third Degree." It is well constructed and has two remarkably interesting characters, and though it is intense it ends well, so I had a very good time, we are all well. Stockton was wretched all last week and desperately nervous and blue. But he is now in good shape again; - helped us entertain Mr. Kirk and completely won the latter's heart. He couldn't praise him enough. He also thinks our girls are the loveliest he ever saw. He says they are like the girls of the old south, and that you practically never see the type nowadays, so sweet and fine, so gracious, so thoroughbred.
After dinner, Jessie back at last. She was very late and we were growing anxious because of the street-car riots in Phila. Four persons were killed and 100 wounded there yesterday. But it was all in some remote unsavory part of the city. But Nell will not go in tomorrow, - nor the next day either if the excitement continues. The train before Jessies ran over and killed a man & a horse so her train too was delayed.
I will not hear from your now until tomorrow. How I hope I shall hear of beautiful weather and all sorts of charming times. We all send oceans of love to our best-beloved. I am with you in thought, dearest, truly every moment and I love you with all my heart and soul.
As ever
Your devoted little Wife.
My own darling,
I am hoping for a letter sometime today; perhaps it will come before I seal this; but I must not wait for it as I must go to a tea later. Speaking of "teas" Mrs. Fine is giving one tomorrow to the graduate students and I have got to "pour" at it! Isn't that a farce? I suppose she thinks it a master stroke to bring all parties together and end all differences. Isn't she diverting?
Of course I do not want to fill my letter with "facts and fancies" on the usual subject. But I am sure it will do you good to know about the position taken by the undergraduates, so I am enclosing their resolutions and editorial, - resolutions passed by the senior class. Paul van Dyke to Ivy in a fury about the resolutions, "banged on the table" and told the boys they were insulting to Mr. Pyne, etc. But the fellows stood their ground perfectly and took back nothing. Think of that at Ivy. I send under the same cover two editorials, one to hearten you up, and one to make you laugh. It is really witty, is it not? There is really no other news to write, so you need not suppose I am holding anything back for your good! Perhaps I should say I have no other news, - not being in the way to hear it.
Mr. Kirk preached this yesterday and he and Jessie went to Phila., together this morning, Jessie to the dentist. It was delightful to have Mr. Kirk here, - cheered us all up. He is a tremendous partisan of yours, and such a cheerful, manly, straight-forward person; and so interesting too, a real personality. His sermons were fine - just like him. In the morning it was on one's life choice - “And when Moses was grown he went out unto his brethren and looked on their burdens.” But you should have heard him at night! It was on Nehemiah the Jewish leader, his struggles with all sorts of difficulties, - the various tests he was put to and how he met them, - ending with the time when his life was in danger and he was urged to take refuge in the temple, - and he said "Should such a man as I flee"! It was prepared after five o'clock that afternoon avowedly suggested by the situation here; - yet he was wise enough to make its direct appeal to the seminary students. The analogies were startling enough even with that precaution. Mr. Dulles told him afterwards that he was "sorry he had heard him" - it had made him regret so desperately that they had not secured him. He is tremendously in earnest has enormous force and vitality. If we could only have preachers like that on the board. He comes again in April to the Philadelphian Society and will spend the night with us. I hope you won't miss him.
Back from the "tea" and have just paid Sigrid off & told her goodbye. She goes in an hour or so. I don't remember whether I mentioned in my last that she was leaving. Her seventeen year old sister lands in New York tomorrow, and as she can't speak the language they are to stay together in New York for the present. I have no one in her place yet - am expecting a coloured girl to "fill in."
Nell is back but Jessie comes on the late train. It is pouring and I would they were all under cover. Margaret goes to NY to the opera tomorrow with Mr. Shipman, and next week I believe, she goes with Mr. Fogel. So she is very happy! I went in to the dentist on Saturday (am through now,) and in the afternoon saw an excellent play, "The Third Degree." It is well constructed and has two remarkably interesting characters, and though it is intense it ends well, so I had a very good time, we are all well. Stockton was wretched all last week and desperately nervous and blue. But he is now in good shape again; - helped us entertain Mr. Kirk and completely won the latter's heart. He couldn't praise him enough. He also thinks our girls are the loveliest he ever saw. He says they are like the girls of the old south, and that you practically never see the type nowadays, so sweet and fine, so gracious, so thoroughbred.
After dinner, Jessie back at last. She was very late and we were growing anxious because of the street-car riots in Phila. Four persons were killed and 100 wounded there yesterday. But it was all in some remote unsavory part of the city. But Nell will not go in tomorrow, - nor the next day either if the excitement continues. The train before Jessies ran over and killed a man & a horse so her train too was delayed.
I will not hear from your now until tomorrow. How I hope I shall hear of beautiful weather and all sorts of charming times. We all send oceans of love to our best-beloved. I am with you in thought, dearest, truly every moment and I love you with all my heart and soul.
As ever
Your devoted little Wife.
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Files
Collection
Citation
Wilson, Ellen Axson, “Ellen Axson Wilson to Woodrow Wilson,” 1910 February 21, EAW02211910 , Ellen Axson Wilson Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.