New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-06-18
Poet Had a Canny Eye
For His DUN Comfort

"Some have considered him a cunning man;
all agree that he was remarkable judge Of
character. Understanding this woman as he
did-as he must have done-had he resolved
TO have her devote herself 10 him? The ques-
ton can never be truthfully answered, but
whether with generalization or not, he cer-
tainly gained great influence over her"
Whitman proposed finally that Mrs. Davis
be his housekeeper. He said: 81 have a house,
while you pay rent you have furniture, while
my rooms are bare; propose that you come
and live with me. bringing your furniture for
the use Of both" He persisted in this offer
until finally Mrs. Davis agreed, reluctantly.
THE advantage was all on the poets side
says Mrs. Keller, "ss he must have seen, but
recent events had raised his hopes and no
made promises Of adequate and more than ade-
quate returns for all that had been done or
might be done for him.
las his money was only in sight 20 use
his own words, all the expenses Of moving
we're paid By Mrs. Davis; as he was disabled,
the work and worry were hers as we'll; but
finally all was accomplished, her goods were
transferred to his house and put in their new
places, and the seven years Of their domestic
life together commenced. In this way did the
good gray poet retire with his Single at
tendant' 70 the little frame cottage, 32S
Mickle Street
There were biographers and commentators
in plenty coming to the little house in Mickle
Street in later years, when Whitmans fame
began 20 spread and when monetary rewards
began to come 10 the poet. But these were
men, and they had the mans viewpoint OF
things. Man like, they did not understand tho
tremendous burden of work and worry that
had been assumed by Whitman's single at
tendant.7 Nor did they know Of many other
things concerning the poet which were brought
out later in talks which Mrs. Davis held with
Mrs Keller, and which in all probability,
Whitmsn's motherly guardian never would
have told to anybody but woman, because
only woman could have understood
Mrs. Davis even accompanied Whitman on
the walks he loved TO take, particularly TO the
ferry. He was a heavy man, and, owing 70 his
crippled condition, he "clung 70 her arm with
grip Of iron" On her suggestion sufficient
funds were secured by subscription from Whit
mans friends TO buy pony and carriage
The poet was delighted, and drove the pony 50
much and so fast that its knees were soon
sprung, and he sold it and bought fast horse.
He used to invite youths in the neghborhood 10
drive him, but. according to Mrs. Keller, cal
though Mrs. Davis was the usual messenger 70
and from the stable, although she got her charge
ready for his drives, assisted him TO the car
rage and almost lifted him in and out Of Il,
neither he nor any one else ever proposed that
she should have the pleasure Of drive"
As Whitman's fame increased, visitors be-
came more frequent. This meant much adj
ditional work for Mrs. Davis. Whitman invited
friends to meal at any time. His own meals
were very irregular. He raped on the floor
when he wanted 10 get up, his breakfast hour
being at any time in the forenoon. Whitman,
suffering from the effect Of his first paralytic
stroke. required much assistance in dressing.
All the water for his baths had to be carried
upstairs until later bathtub was put in-at
Mrs. Davis's expense Says Mrs. Keller: