Helen Schermerhorn's: 1910 Boston Letter
A fall of 1910 letter to Helen, sent from Boston, describing the apartment
he is sharing with his friend Joseph. He ends the letter with a sketch of the
window and signing off "Too sleepy to make the pen wiggle. R--"
The letter to Helen [undated]:
"My brass
jar, I must tell you is a vast comfort to me - I brought nothing of the kind with me of course - and find that the
brown weed grows dry in this climate. The jar rests as the one bit of refined beauty in my barren students room -
no, I have a pink primrose in a pot on the broad white windowsill -- with above it an ebony and silver crucifix.
This window looks out upon the shrubbery of a most lovely little courtyard, shut from the narrow street by a quaint,
old fashioned and high iron grating with double gates. Old time birch flats - warm in color and romance line our
little narrow street. Joseph [Cowell] and I alone use this goodly courtyard, 'cause 'tis the side entrance and a bit
around the corner from the practical way.
How I shall love to see the shrubbery of my little planted square
awake to spring life - and the patch of upper sky warm to spring softness - the first for these long years. I'm
waxing sentimental - so good night. I hope you and your household are well -
Wearily,
Robin"
A sketch of his window, followed by:
"To sleepy to make the pen
wiggle
R —