Letter: Margaret Bancroft to Milton Bancroft, August 8, 1900

SANDY SPRING AUG 2 PM 1900 MD.

Milton Bancroft, 30 East 14^th St.; New York City; N. Y.

Mrs. More went driving on Saturday last,and was affected by the [our], and has been really ill ever since in addition she has had a [qaihered] torch so I have been the only whole member of the family, and have done what I could to relieve their [drownf] [at]. You don't appreciate health 'till you have something the matterwith you. This [erule] boy of thime and mine grows more and more achieve. I hope he will be a brave laddie. Has there been playing the Scotch airo? Father did not go to Mr. Poor's funeral after all as it was strictly private- I think he was really dissapointed. Now I shall answer the letters line for line. The letters as so far have always come in the morning mail, and have had each a welcome as they can't imagine -there has been so good [wuling] evryday. Norwood, Aug. 8th, 1900 My dearest, and the cry of the [bouch]- is heard in the land and the heat wayeish intense and more internser ; save for a blessed breeze which come with- the dawn we would be in misery. I am thinking always of them and hoping against hope that the wave stopped with of mason and Dixon. There asks me to tell [there] all that happens all would make but a brief better, save for the soul life which seems to grow greater every day of my life there are no happenings go. There is only the tender.

light of dawn, and the rich hot glow of these August sunsets to mark the coming and the going of the days -

"And morn and noon and night built up another day."

From thy descriptions I love the view from Bert's window - full of movement it must be yet with - the quiet of distance to give it an ensemble. I cannot be blue because funds are low - I just can't; I try to show myself that I have no right to be happy, but there is so much real richness in life and in the world about that I forget to be miserable. And then we have our love for each other, but that lies deeper than words. Does thee know I would write thee such long letters were it not that writing stiffens me more than anything I do, after fifteen minutes of it I can hardly work. I am so well, exercising regularly. Thee might picture me every morning down in the tomato patch gathering the few I can find, and putting them on the ledge to ripen, and then the grapes and apples have a turn, and the flowers when [Call?] is otherwise engaged - light occupations thee will say but I manage to get in a great many slips. Clara has an abscess in her tooth, and last night suffered to the breaking down point - I feel sympathy of the keenest for I remem ber vividly the agony I went through in Paris. She is better this morning

and the word from there is such a comfort to homesick me. I like the new paper very much- don't see much difference however between it this [saw] it is a trufle less rough perhaps. I hope something will come out of the kitchen portrait. But find the way on the publishers star is her good council. Fud Hiho is my old classmate, Fud Coooks surely then remembers him- changed his name for a fortune while at College - push his portrait and remember me to him if opportunity offers. I hope there will soon be getting to the boys, especially if it is hot in the city. Sister writes but brief portals about the boy- all is well with him. I am glad he is out of this heat. Father seems to miss him as much as anyone. I am so glad for him to have the change - that. I don't allow myself

to think of the void his absence makes.

I woke up this morning hearing his dear little voice saying "Here I am." Bless his heart. [Jesis euile] child is very sick with malaria, whooping cough and kidney trouble - she kept him in Washington too late.

Mrs Moore recieved thy letter, and thanks thee for it. I almost forgot to tell them that the fan and chain were found by Josephine back of the piano - the plot thickens - how did it get there? I have tried to write on my [La?] [illegible] article but somehow I can't make any satisfactory headway. - it will come with effort perhaps.

Dr. [Ellrey?] says he is descended from Jeame d' [Albret?] if I had such ancestors I would know something about them. All love Marqie

I have June & July & Aug. McClures here - has thee bought them?