The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-10-05
plcKeNs rLowrssp oaAvs.
A Story Of Remarkable Interest TO
Noveifst's American Admirers.

A Story Of Remarkable interest to "A
| Noveiist's American Admirers.
| A recent magazine contained the toucf)
ing story of Miss Mamie Dickens concernl
ing the last days of her father in which oc-
ours the following paragraph referring to
the floral decoration Of his last resting place
in Westminster abbey: "Dean Stanley
wrote, There was constant pressure to
the spot, and many flowers were strewn
upon 1t by unknown. hands, many tears
shed by unknown eyes," And Miss Dick
ems adds: And every year Oh the pth-of
June and on Christmas day we find other
flowers strewn by unknown hands on that
sacred spot. And every year there comes
to us from America, from lovely woman
whom we have never met, many of your
beautiful colored leaves to be placed with
our flowers on that dear stone. And this
although it will be 90 years in June since
he died."
Visiting Chenango county in this state a
few weeks since, l met the sister of the
American lady above referred to and per-
suaded her to furnish a copy of the follow
ing correspondence for publication, with
the proviso that mo names be mentioned
Tho thoughtful and appreciative lady her
self who wrote the letter TO Dickens during
his stay in the states in 1868 was then q
resident of Massillon, o., where she still
resides, but was formerly of Chenango
county;
4 MAssnLox, O., Feb. 4, 1858.
DEAR Mr.. pIcKENs-I have been greatly
\ exercised during the last 90 years as to
4 the propriety of writing to thank you for all
the good your writings have done me, but
knowing You must receive great many such
letters, and doubtless find them n bore have
FaA nt,tf I D..
to present, and having great faith in youi
kindness of heart hope for the happicst re.
suits. To tell you that you have many warm
admirers in this place is tame and meaning
less-they abound everyw herc-but when tel
you there are two young lady teachers in oui
union school who cannot hope TO live or die
happy II they fail 10 hear you read, and the
directors cannot find It in their hearts to give
] them moro than one day for the purpose Grad.
grinds alb, and ii will not be sufficient to enable
them TO 60 to Clevcland-and we don't know
that you viii read nearer than that-you SET
what deplorablc situation Is theirs.
/ have suggested burning tho schoolhouse O,
poisoning the superintendent, but the building
Is brlck, and the superintendent Is young and
handsome, and SO in despair can do no les
! thah present their case to you. Now, car
hear you at Cleveland, but my pleasure will b,
very much increased IL we can all go together
and IL you will only read at Pittsburg wo cal
20 there in tho time given, and we shall b,
three OF the happiest persons this sido of thu
Atlantic, and II you sec a big woman with tw,
smaller ones In tow rushing after you feal
not, Tor that will be mo and my friends, ant
We shall only want TO thank you.
i. S.-Since / am writing you at last lie
mo say have read everything you have writ
ten from two to six times, and would not II
coulu have one line-no, nor one word-blottet
out; but, like Oliver, cry for more.
Second p. ST. hope Mr.. Dolby will not be 6,
d hard hearted as TO destroy this letter, think
! ing II Is from foolish young girl, but II yoi
Q ran 10 receive 1t you may know that he has
and II You fail to read at Pittsburg shall
shall know it too. l did not intend to sign IN,
name, but on second thoughts / will. Yer
) truly yours, Mis-. -,
BALTIMORE, February, 1868.
DEAR MADAM-Mr. Dolby has not come be
tween us, and have received your letter. NJ,
answer to it is unfortunately brief. INN no
= coming TO Cleveland or near il. Every even
ing on which can possibly read during tn
Il remainder OF my stay in the States 10 arrange
y Tor, and the fates divide me from 1.-THE bi,
q woman with two smaller ones In tow" So
i. send her my love-to be shared with the tw
smaller ones II she approves, but not other
, wise-and seriously assure her that her pleas
{ ant letter has been most welcome. Dea
madam, faithfully yours,
CHARLES DICKENS.
1t is hardly necessary to say that the lad,
. realized the longed for pleasure of hearini
/ Mr.. Dickens read by going to Washington
1t may be of interest also to know tina
the veritable Master Humphreys clock
!, which was supposed to be the receptacle O
so many of the manuscripts which hav
d amused and charmed the public, is still il
4 existence, the property of Mr.. Isaac II. Bal
7 ley, editor of The Shoe and Leather Report
< er, warm admirer of Mr. Dickens. II wa
: presented to him some l6 or II years sine
a by an English friend. On its arrival it wa
put in good running order and located. t
s celebrate the event feast was prepared
~ "'S..eis M 'JiIv '-rrTrarr1tf anu eISt
it where' and probably nomore heartfelt triI
e ute was ever paid to the great author tba a
II on that occasion. And still Master HIM, nj
/, rey's clock, duly and appropriately labeled
can be seen at the Office of The Shoe nm,
: leather Reporter, II Spruce street, New
+ YORK, where its tick-a-tick night and dav
J, year after year, accurately records the tim,
D Tor the benefit of the inmates.-E. III Pu,
1 dy in New York Sun. 1i