Volume II Part 19 (1/2)

_Philadelphia_, Tuesday 19th, 1853

_Ownest_,

We left New York yesterday at 3 o'clock, and arrived safely here, where we have spent the day. We leave for Was.h.i.+ngton tomorrow morning, and I shall mail this scribble there, so that thou wilt know that I have arrived in good condition. Thou canst not imagine the difficulty of finding time and place to write a word. I enjoy the journey and seeing new places, but need thee beyond all possibility of telling. I feel as if I had just begun to know that there is nothing else for me but thou. The children, too, I know how to love, at last. Kiss them all for me. In greatest haste (and in a public room),

Thine ownest,

N. H.

Baltimore, Wednesday, 5 o'clock.--Thus far in safety. I shall mail the letter immediately on reaching Was.h.i.+ngton, where we expect to be at past 9.

With love a thousand times more than ever,

Thinest,

N. H.

Was.h.i.+ngton, Thursday.--Before Breakfast.

--Dearest, I arrived so late and tired, last night, that I quite forgot to mail the letter. I found about a dozen letters awaiting me at the hotel, from other people, but none from thee. My heart is weary with longing for thee. I want thee in my arms.

I shall go to the President at nine o'clock this morning--shall spend three or four days here--and mean to be back early next week.

THINE OWNEST.

TO MRS. HAWTHORNE

_Was.h.i.+ngton_, April 28th, Thursday. 1853

_Dearest_,

The President has asked me to remain in the city a few days longer, for particular reasons; but I think I shall be free to leave by Sat.u.r.day. It is very queer how much I have done for other people and myself since my arrival here. Colonel Miller is to be here to-night.

Ticknor stands by me manfully, and will not quit me until we see Boston again.

I went to Mount Vernon yesterday with the ladies of the President's family. Thou never sawst such a beautiful and blossoming Spring as we have here.

Expect me early in next week. How I long to be in thy arms is impossible to tell. Tell the children I love them all.

THINEST.

TO MRS. HAWTHORNE