Volume II Part 31 (2/2)
Faithfully and affectionately yours, LAFCADIO HEARN
TO MITChell McDONALD
TOKYO, February, 1898
DEAR McDONALD,--I _ought_ to have answered you about the subject of investht it would be better to wait
However, now I think (I have just received your telegram, and I confess it s frankly
I suppose that, being naturally born to bad luck, I shall lose s in the ordinary course of the world's events; but I would prefer this prospect to the worry of mind that I should have about any investain (I have had it once) I should prefer to lose everything now The htmare, a torture unspeakable The moment I think about business I wish that I had never been born I can assure you truthfully that I would rather burn a five hundred dollar bill than invest it,--because, having burned it, I could forget all about it, and trust myself to the mercy of the Gods Even if I had Jay Gould behind me, to pullto do with business Even to have to write you this letter makes me wish that all the business in the world could be instantly destroyed I ao to Yokoha more--you will understand how I feel Ever most faithfully,
LAFCADIO HEARN
TO MITChell McDONALD
TOKYO, February, 1898
DEAR McDONALD,--When I saw that big envelope, I thought to et!” You seeago of my peculiar 'phobia And inside that envelope there was only the kindest of kind letters,--proving that you understoodreat interest (by the way, I a it, because, as it is still in the state of a private document, I think it is better that I do not keep it); and I as! ”Canst thou play with Leviathan like a bird? Or canst thou bind hi to try; but I have a friend in Yokohama--an officer of the U S Navy--_he_ plays with Leviathan, and makes him ”talk soft, soft words”--indeed he even ”presses down his tongue with a cord” Well, I should like you to be as rich as you could be reatest favour you can ever do me is to take off my hands even the business that I have--contracts, and the like,--so that I need never again remember them Besides, if I were dead, you are the one I should want to be profiting by my labours Then every tihost would squeak and chipper for delight,--and you would look around to see where the bats caet down In fact I feel that Iupon a certain friend there To-day I have been packing upuntil now--so as to send by registered letter
About ”the best” You are a dreadful ot even halfway to the bottom I have only drunk three bottles yet; but that is a shaeous; and I look into the glass often to observe the end of my nose That ”best” is too seductive
With affectionate thanks for kindest letter,
Faithfully ever, LAFCADIO
TO MITChell McDONALD
TOKYO, February, 1898
DEAR McDONALD,--Your telegram made me feel comfortable I had been a little uneasy,--especially because you never told me what really was the matter;--and when a man like you cannot bend his back, the ra up, and possiblyautumn season, and that I could squat on the floor and talk to you--which racefully blue When I want to feel properly humble, I read ”Glie;--then I howl, and wonder how I could ever have written so badly,--and find that I aht to be kicked Then the weather has been trying;--the mails are behind;--the afflictions of Tokyo manifold Also I have been provoked to think that there is no other person like you known to me in the entire world,--and that you are by no means immortal,--and that, even as it is, you think ever so muchon the unper the possible folly ofbooks at all--This ht to think so
I have partly in ht out of stories adapted from the japanese Not sure that I can carry the plan out satisfactorily;--but I aht must be worthy of your hopes for me,--and that it shall prove an atonement for the faults of the first book dedicated to you
Take all care of yourself, and believe ram
Affectionately, LAFCADIO