EDGAR ALLAN POE TO MARIA CLEMM — SEPTEMBER 10, 1849

 

 

 

Old Point Comfort, Va: Sep. 10. Monday Evening.

My own darling Muddy,

I wrote you from Richmond more than 10 days ago,. (approximately three words scratched out beyond readability) and telling you a great deal of news. I cannot tell you how anxious I have been at not getting an answer. If you have not written, for god’s sake write immediately and tell me what is the matter. Direct, as usual, to Richmond, where I will be in about a week or

[pro]poses for me to go, immediately after the marriage, to one of her houses — the one she is in now — and send for you to join us at once — there we will remain, only for the present, until we can make what other arrangements we please. So hold yourself in readiness as well as you can, my own darling mother — but do not sell off or anything of that kind yet, if you can avoid it — for “there is many a slip between the cup & the lip” — & I confess that my heart sinks at the idea of this marriage. I think, however, that it will certainly take place & that immediately. (rest of page cut off, including the signature)

(separate fragment, possibly the close of this letter)

God bless you, my dear “Muddy” Your own Eddy.