Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-21
Where "The RaUen" Was Written
and CQtteri1Q the Cat
By CHRISTOPHER MORLEY

writing. Spring Garden was then near the
northern outskirts Of the city, the region
was one Of sober ruddy brick (of that rich
hue dear to Philadelphia hearts) and well
treed and gardened. Until very recent years
an old lady was living, a neighbor Of Mrs.
Owens, who remembered how Virginia Poe
used to sit at the window and play her harp.
THE house is well and solidy built 4; the
i door opening toward Brandywine street
still has its original old-fashioned bolt lock,
which Poes hand must have fastened many
and many a time. The little dining room
has fireplace, now filled In with stove In
one OF the rooms upstairs according to
traditonl "The Raven" was written; and
there are two bedrooms with easement
windows in the attic Some of Poe's
finest work done in this house. among
other tales probably "The Murders in
the Rue Morgue." 1.-THE Gold Bug" and
THE Black Cat And here a curious
membered that in the story Of "The Black
Cat" Poe describes how some very unpleas-
ant digging was done in a cellar In clean
ing the cellar OF the Brandywine street
house Mrs. Owens discovered recently place
where the bricks in the flooring had been re-
moved and section of planking had been
put in. Is 1t possible that this circumstance
suggested to Poe the grisly theme of his
story? Just for fun would very much like
to explore under those boards. They are old
TMAGINATION likes to conjure up the
i little household the invalid Virginia Poe
dt was in this house that she broke a blood
vessel while snging). the stout-hearted and
all-sscrihcing mother -in-law - Muddy" as
the poet affectionatey called her--the roses
that grew over the wall and (let us not
forget herr Catherine. the cherished pet.
Catterina was very much member of the
family. In April, 1914. when Poe and his
lfa h,,ae aeIt To-,
York. where they found the table amazingly
cheap and plentiful he wrote to Mrs GLENN:
The house Is old and looks buggy. The
cheapest board ! ever knew. l wish Kate
could see it--she would faint Last night.
for supper, had the incest tea you
ever drank. strong and hot--wheat bread
and rye bread-cheese-tea cakes (ele-
gan), a great dish (two dishes) OF ele-
CANT ham and two of cold veal, piled up
like mountain--three dishes of the cakes
and everything in the greatest profusion
No fear of starving here.
Poor Catterina Does not this suggestion
OF her swooning imply that she may have
had to go on rather short commons In the
little home on Brandywine street? But after
all, there must have been mice In the cellar,
unless the ghost of the Black Cat frightened
them away.
TN THE same letter. written from New
i York the day after the Poes had gone
Sissy (his wfe) had n hearty cry last night
because you and Catherine weren't here"
DUT 1T was In the winter of 1S46-47. when
ID Mrs. Poe lay dying of consumption In
the cottage at Fordham that Catherine came
to her highest glory. The description of that
| scene touches upon human nerve of pity
and compassion that must give the most
| callous a pang. Poe himself, harassed by
| poverty. pride and illness. had to witness the
sufferings of his failing wife without ability
TO ease them This IL the description of o
kind-hearted woman who saw them then;
There was no clothing on the bed but a
snow-white counterpane and sheets The
weather was cold and the sick lady had the
dreadful chils that accompany the hectic
fever of consumption She lay on the
| straw bed wrapped in her husbands great
coat with a large tortoise-shell cat In her
| bosom. The wonderful cat seemed
scious OF her great usefulness. The coat
and the cat were the sufferers only means
| Of warmth
| DERHAPS Philadelphia Will some day Co
| i itting homer to the memory of that III
| starred household that knew its best happi-
ness In the little house on Brandywine street.
Mr. Owens. who Is a druggist. has whims-
| caily set up in the front parlor one Of the
big scarlet paIlier -nache ravens that ere
usec 10 adyeEtisc Red Raven Splits Bus is
seems 70 M (Apa PhiIoaelphtA 9i1te q
1yst ar1i(A1o 11le|lc ~