Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1895-05-25
SOME NEW poe LETTERS
fAe Gifted Author Makcs Pitifui Pleas
Because Of Poverty.

OS"G NGW I'VE IS vSUSs
The Gifted Author Mskcs Pitifui Pieas
Because OF Poverty.
One Of tho most Important literary
finds" Of recent years was a large
collection OF personal letters Of Poe
and OF letters written to him by the
leading literary men VI his time. The
correspondence was found among the
papers Of DIR. Rufus W. Griswold. and
are to be given to the world by his
son. William VI. Griswold. for the pur
pose of clearing the memory Of his ia
tier from the aspcrsions cast upon him
ever since the publication of his men,
OR of Poe Dr. Griswold has been re-
lentlessly criticised for this work. but
!, Is claimed that these new letters
Will be a perfect justification OF his
statements. A selection from this corr
respondence has been edited by Prof.
George l.. woodberry. aud will appear
in three parts In The Century,. The
first selection. dealing with Foes life
in Baltimore, appears In the August
plumber OF the magazine. The follow
Ing letter was written to John Il. Ken.
nedy. who had become interested In
Poe when the latter won the first prize
offered BY the Baltimore Saturday
Visitor for an original tale:
Baltimore. November, 1884.
Dear Sir--I have q favor to beg Of
you which thought It better to ask
In writing, because, sincerely. had
not the courgae to ask It In person.
am indeed too well aware that have
NO claim whatever to your attention,
and that even the manner Of my intro.
duction to your notice was at the best
eQuvocal. Since the day you frst saw
- Oly situation In life has altered
materially. At that time I looked for.
ward to the Inheritance of a large for
tune. and. In the mean time. was In
receipt Of an annuity for my support.
This was allowed me by gentleman
Of Virginia (Mr. Jno. Allan who adopt.
ed me at the age Of years both my
parents being dead). and who, until
lately. always treated me with the
affection Of a father. But q second
marriage on his part, and dare say
many follics on my own, at length end
ed In q quarrel between us. He II
now dead. and has left me nothing.
am thrown entirely upon my own
resources. with no profession and very
few friends. Worse than all this.
am at length penniless. Indeed, no
circumstances less urgent would have
induced me to risk your friendship by
troubling you with my distress. But
I could not help thinking that II my
situation was statcd-as you could
state ito Cary & Lea. they might be
led to aid me with q small sum In con
siderntion Of my Ms. now In theii
hands. This would relieve my imme
diatc wants. and then could look for
ward more confidently to better days
At all events receive the assurance ol
my gratitude for what you have al
ready done. Most respectfully, you
obedient servant.
EDGAR ALLAN POE.
In another letter Poe has to decline
an invitation to dinner with Mr.. Ken
ncdy, because he has no 1T clothing
to wear. The following gives pa
thetic idea Of Poe's poverty; the lette
also being addressed to Kennedy:
Sunday, March IL. 1885.
Dear Slr-In the paper which VII
be handed you with this note II al
advertisement to which most anxious
~ submit your attention. 1t rclate
to the appointment Of teacher in ,
public school. and have marked
with cross 30 that you may rcadil!
perceive It. In my present circum
stances such situation would he mos
desirable. and II your interest could oh
tain 1t for me. would always renem
Der youe kindness with the deepes
gratitude. Have / any hope? You
reply to this would greatly oblige. Tn
18th ID fixed on for the decision Of tn
commissioners. and the advertisement
has only this morning caught my eye
This will excuse my Obtrudlng the mat
ter on you attention to-day. Very re
specially. r. A. POE.