Kraus-Boelté to Meleney, March 26, 1899

Categories

Maria Kraus-Boelté Letters Collection

Date

1899-03-26

Language

ENG

Author

Kraus-Boelté, Maria

Recipient

Meleney, Carrie Coit

Hotel San Remo
Central park west 74th & 75th St.
March 26/99
My dear Mrs Meleney,
Your “dear good letter reached me this A.M. when having my Breakfast- and it seemed such a “happy beginning” of the day, reading your letter, - having your “sweet converse”. We had a charming meeting. Dr Conant is a “fine” woman, - both- in knowledge and in character.- Dr Merrill gave us a “summary” of the Cincinnati Meeting, - also a few “[bits]” of your
[page 2]
Report,- & I felt, “that I was entirely left out”- because my dear Carrie Cait Meleney did not let me read her report, which she sent to the J.K.U. Meeting. I suppose, it will be printed, when I can read it in full”.- a “Mothers birthday” we cherish- as long as we live. I can well understand your feelings; and - you could not be such a “good Mother” if you had not had such a Mother as yours was. Her blessings, surely, are upon you. And- the
[page 3]
word of sympathy and of “encouragement” you crave, will ever even now be with you- if you will only find it. Soon, your children, as they grow older, will look-out for the same from you,- as even you comfort them now,- & sympathize- in their little troubles & joys. How strong the heart grows by practice- how we expand- going- as [Froebel] wanted it- beyond the small “family circle”; - and as me- this - grow,- the young-ones “will follow the lead”, - and “comfort” and sympathy”- as we
[page 4]
Give it “broadcast”,- will return to us- with blessings,- tenfold- seeming almost to over- power us,- that we humbly bow our head- in gratitude for the good- the little good we may do- hearing such rich fruit- Your dear Mother must remain an inspiration with you- as long as you live,- for she is- surely- with you always. - Life’s burdens are sometimes heavy to bear. I’m [fairy lore]- there is a stray - I forget where?- when a youth is told: “to find the precious flower “good-cheer” and with his motive courage & faith in the goodness of God- he can overcome the greatest difficulties (Dragons & Dwarfs & fire= [something] Bulls with
[page 5]
With “brazen hoofs”, - snakes- &c, & c).- From a “Fairy - story”- during a life- time- this has grown “very real” to me. You have a great many to make happy- and- if you do not go too much “outside”- the blessings will “shower” upon you. - My life- comparatively- is a “lonesome” one;- but I do not [consider] it any more my life; when this new life was given to me, - I stored myself with a corner for myself,- &. E. giving all of my love & interest to others, when expedient & necessary
[page 6]
I trust & hope, dear Mrs Meleney, that the Martha’s Vineyard work will not prove “too much” for you. Your family is “large” and the children are at the age when “needing you”. But, since your sister will be with you,- all may be well, and the burden be not quite so heavy for you.- I am glad that you did not reproach Dr Cait for his- surely unintended- omission regarding the answer to the letter written to him on the part of the Alumni. You must not feel as it if embarrassed
[page 7]
You in any way. I said to the members of this Ex, Comm that I knew, Dr Cait was exceedingly [bnoy] , and - if he had time, would surely have responded; but- as we had to come to a resolution, it would be best- to let the matter drop, and appoint someone else. Upon this, they asked me to give them this long intended work of “sewing without a needle” And then I proposed : discussion on the questions I had answered to the J.K.U- So pleases, do not let that trouble you anymore, nor Dr Cait, who, perhaps, may be able to give us a “talk”
[page 8]
At our October Meeting?
-To-morrow I am leaving for Atlantic City. I need it.- Adriana Dorman will go with me, & remain any guest until Thursday, when she will be replaced by Anna Harvey.- Is it not “dear” in these Two- to go with me?- Yesterday I sent a little boy with a small “Easter Greeting” to your children, which, please, open Easter-day. I hope it will reach you safel. The largest- essential piece “with the green ribbon” is for darling Grace. She will not remember me- but- that does not matter; if only she “enjoys” it!- the “little discussion” [way]but “a storm in a Tea-pot”. I feel more [quietly] that you, for having been absent so often.- wishing you & yours a joyous and blesses Easter-tide, I am ever your old loving friend & Kgten- Mother
Maria Kraus-Boelte
[front side envelop]
Miss Harvey
Dorman
Mrs Clarence b. Meleney
877. Sterling Place
Brooklyn N.Y. 30

[back side envelope]
Hotel San Remo
Central park west 74th & 75th St.

Funding Note

Funding for the Maria Kraus-Boelté Letters Digitization project is provided by the Long Island Library Resources Council.

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