Letter from Elizabeth Stoddard to Julia C Dorr

Dec 8th 1884 329 E[ast] 15 [th Street] Dear Julia, I saw the tidings of Mr Dorr's death in the Tribune. The shadow feared of man - never is far off now, I feel it stealing so near me, that I know any day may separate me from Stoddard. Thank God for your children, who will, with you keep their father's memory green and vital. He was a good man and his feet were straight on the path wherever his light directed him. What

you can do, how live without him, is more than I can think of - if you have faith in any hereafter it may aid you. We only know that by and by if you live - the thought of him will cease to be that agony of misery the tearing apart now gives you. Seneca then will be a life of other days - those cannot be made dead or taken from you. Mrs Taylor can now talk of Bayard more as an absent one with me - but her life was literally

broken to pieces - there never was the sympathy between her and her daughter as between you and yours. When you can write me all about Seneca, his illness, himself - I wish to hear. Stoddard bids me give you his sincere regrets and remembrance - I do hope your health will not be shattered that has always been the loop hole where grief crept in with me and battered down the citadel. Yours truly Elizabeth Stoddard

[COPY]

Stoddard, Mrs. Elizabeth Drew (Barstow) to Mrs. Julia Dorr

C9 114 5

Dec 8th 329 E 15 [1884]

Dear Julia-

I saw the tidings of Mr Dorr's death in the Tribune-- 'The shadow feared of man' - never is far off now, I feel it stealing so near me, that I know any day may separate me from Stoddard. Thank God for your children, who will, with you keep their father's memory green and vital. He was a good man and his feet were straight on the path wherever his light directed him. What you can do, how live without him, is more than I can think of--if you have faith in any hereafter it may aid you. We only know that by and by if you like--the thought of him will cease to be that agony of misery the tearing apart now gives you- Seneca then will be a life of other days--those cannot be made dead or taken from you. Mrs Taylor can now talk of Bayard more as an absent one with me-- but her life was literally broken to pieces--there never was the sympathy between her and her daughter as between you and yours. When you can write me all about Seneca, his illness, himself--I wish to hear. Stoddard bids me give you his sincere regrets and remembrance-- I do hope your health will not be shattered That has always been the loophole where grief crept in with me and battered down the citadel--

Yours truly

Elizabeth Stoddard

Envelope addressed to Mrs Julia R Dorr

Rutland Centre Vermont