The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-11-27
DICKENS eLoweRep GRAVE,
story of Remarkable Interest to the
Novelists American Admirers

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 constant pressure ~
tue spot, and many bowers were strewn
upon IL by unknown hands many tears
shed by unknown eyes," And Miss Dick
ems adds; And every year ON the 9th Of
June and on Christmas day we find other
howers strewn 10y unknown hands ON that
sacred spot. And every year there comes
10 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, | met the sister of tn,
American lady above referred to and per
suaded her to furnish u 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
MAsSILLoN, O., Feb. 4, 1858.
DEAR Mr.. DICKENs-I have been greatly
exercised during the last 20 years as to
the prupriety 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 bore have
hitherto spated you. But now have a case
to present, and having great faith in your
pf I a..
suits. To tell you that you have many warm
admirers in this place is tame and meaning
less-they abound everyW here-but when tell
you there are two young lady teachers in our
union school who cannot hope to live or die
nappy II they fail to hear you read, and the
directors cannot find it in their hearts to give
them more than one day for the purpose Grad
srlnus al), and it will not be sufficient TO enable
them to go to Cleveland-and we don't know
VnaI you VIII read nearer than that-you see
what deplorable situation is theirs
nave suggested burning the schoohouse or
poisoning the superintendent, but the building
Is brlck, and the superintendent is young and
handsome, and so in despair can do no less
imam present their case to YOU Now [ can
near you at Cleveland, but my pleasure will be
very much increased if we can all go together
and If you will only read at Pittsburg we can
20 Ihefe IN the time given, and we shall be
three OF the happest persons this side of the
Atlantic, and If you see Il big woman with two
smaller ones in tow rushing after YOU fear
not, Tor that will be me and my friends, and
we shall only want to thank you
T. S.-Since l am writing you at last let
me say have read everything you have writ
zen from TWO to SIX times, and | would not if
coulu nave one lne-no, nor one word-blotted
out; but, like Oliver, cry for more
second L. 81 hope Mr.. Dolby will not be so
nara hearted as to destroy this letter, think
ing IL Is Ii ON foolish young girl, but if YOU
ran to receive it you may know that he has
and If you fail to read at Pittsburg shall
snail know it too. did not intend to sign my
haLle' DuI On second thoughts | will. Very
truly yours NIRs
BALTIMORE, February, 1868.
DEAR MADAM-Mr. Dolby has not come he
tween US, and have received your letter. MY
answer to it is unfortunately brief lam 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 1.-THE big
woman with two smaller ones in tow" So /
send her my love-to be shared with the two
smaller ones she approves, but not other
wise-and seriously assure her that her pleas
ant letter has been most welcome Dear
madam, faithfully yours,
CHARLES DICKENS.
IL Is hardly necessary to say that the lady
realized the longed for pleasure of hearing
Mr.. Dickens read by going to Washington,
IL may be OF interest also to know that
the veritable Master Humphreys clock,
which was supposed to be the receptacle of
so many of the manuscripts which have
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, warm admirer of Mr. Dickens 1t was
presented to him some l6 or II years since
by an English friend. On its arrival it was
put in good running order and located, To
celebrate the event a feast was prepared.
which was attended by hosts of the admirers
OF Mr.. Dickens in the swamp" and else
where, and probably no more heartfelt 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-tck night and day.
year after year, accurately records the time
for the benefit of the inmates.-E. III. Pur
dy in New York Sun.