The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-10-14
DICKENS, FLoweaeo GRAVE.
4 Story OF Remarkable Interest to ~
Novelfst,s American Admirers.

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4 Story OF Remarkable Interest to M
Novelist's American Admirers.
A recent magazine contained the touch
ing story Of Miss Mamie Dickens CONCERN
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 a constant pressure 70
the spot, and many flowers were strcwn
upon il by unknown hands, many tears
shed by unknown eyes" And Miss Dick
ens adds: "And every year ON the 9th OF
June and on Christmas day we n other
flowers strewn by unknown handso that
sacred spot. And every year there comes
30 us from Americas, from a lSvely woman
whom we have never met, many OF your
beautiful colorcd 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-
suaied her to furnish a copy of the follow
ing correspondence for publication, with
the proviso that mo names be mentioned"
The thoughtful and appreciative lady her
self who wrote the letter to Dickens during
his stay in the states in 1868 was then a
resident Of Massillon, o., where she still
resides, but was formerly Of Chenango
county:
MAssIILoN, o., Feb. 4, 1868.
DEAF Mr.. DIcKENs-I have been greatly
exercised during tho last 20 years as to
the propriety of writing to thank you for all
the good your writings have done me, but
knowing you must receive D great many such
letters, and doubtless find them O. bore 1 have
hitherto spared you. But now / have q case
to present, and having great faith in your
kindness of heart / hope for the happiest re-
suits. To tell You that you have many warm
admirers in this place is tame and meaning
lcss-they abound everywherc-but when I tell
YOU there are two young lady teachers in our
union school who cannot hope to live or die
happy IL they fail to hear you read, and the
directors cannot ind it in their hearts to give
them more than one day for the purpose Grad
Erinds AID, and it will not be sufficient to enable
them to go to Cleveiand-and we don't know
that you win read nearer than thnt-you see
what u deplorable situation Is theirs.
l have suggested burning the schoolhouse or
poisoning the superintendent, but the building
Is brics, and the superintendent is young and
handsome, and soIn despair I can do no less
than present their case to you. Now, 1 can
hear You at Cleveland. but my pleasure will be
very much increased il we can all 60 together,
and if you will only read at Pittsburg we can
go there in tho time given, and wo shall be
three OF the happiest persons this side Of the
Atlantic, and il You see, a big woman with two
smaller ones in tow rushing after you fear
not, for that will DO mo and my friends, and
We Shall only want TO thank you.
L. S.-Since / am writing you at last let
me say l have rcsd everything you have writ
ten from two to SIX sirnes, and ! would not if l
could have one liIe-no. nor one word-blotted
out; but, like Oliver. cry for more.
Second T. ST. hope Mr.. Dolby will not be so
hard hearted us to destroy this letter, think
ing 1t is from a foolish young girl, but II you
fail to receive it you may know that he has
and If you fail to read at Pittsburg l shall
shall know it too. l did not intend to sign my
name, but On second thoughts l will. Very
truly yours, Mrs. ---,
BALTIMORE, February, 1868.
DEAR MADAM-Mr. Dolby has not come be-
tween us, and l have received your letter. My
answer to 1t Is unfortunately brief. ! am not
coming to Cleveland or near it. Every even-
ing on which ! can possibly read during the
remainder OF my stay in the States is arranged
for, and the fates divide me from ''the big
woman with two smaller ones in tow" So I
send her my love-to be shared with the two
smaller ones II she approves, but not other
Wlse-and seriously assure her that her pleas
ant letter has been most welcome. Dear
madam, faithfully yours,
CHARLES DICKENS.
1t is hardly necessary to say that the lady
HS IAN Ao'GS0 ~ piCS.stlIC Ol nearing
MI. Dickens read by going to Washington.
1t may be of interest also to know that
the veritable Master Humphreys clock,
which was supposed to be the receptacle of
90 many of the manuscripts which nave
amused and charmed the public, is still in
existence, the property of Mr.. Isaac II. Bal
ley, editor of The Shoe and Leather Report
er, a warm admirer of Mr.. Dickens. 1t was
presented to him some 16 OF II years since
by an English friend. On its arrivalit was
put in good running order and located. To
celebrate the event q feast was prepared.
which was attended by hosts O the admirers
OF Mr.. Dickens in the SWAMP" and else
where, and probably nomoreheartfelt trib-
ute was ever paid to the great author than
on that occasion. And still Master Humph-
rey's clock, duly and appropriately labeled,
can be seen at the office of The Shoe and
Leather Reporter, II Spruce street, New
York, where its tick-a-tick night and dav.
year after year, accurately records the time
for the benefit Of the inmates.-E. H. Pur-
dy in New York Sun.