You will be pleased to know that Han1 continues to improve, although the weather is barbarous—cold, damp— —
She walks better, about the house—cooked some potatoes for herself, shared with me. Mrs Church2 takes her a small piece of beef, twice a week, which strengthens her very much. I am quite poorly—grippe—attacks my stomach—yet I succeed in managing the duk.00443.002_large.jpg fires, and keep the house comfortable—
I am grateful to you, kind old friend, for the needed aid you send us—Walt is so good—Han says—
Charlie—Should have failed ago, brother Walt, but for you this winter.
Thanks again
Correspondent:
Charles Louis Heyde (ca.
1820–1892), a French-born landscape painter, married Hannah Louisa Whitman
(1823–1908), Walt Whitman's sister, and they lived in Burlington, Vermont.
Charles Heyde was infamous among the Whitmans for his offensive letters and poor
treatment of Hannah. For more information about Heyde, see Steven Schroeder,
"Heyde, Charles Louis (1822–1892)," Walt
Whitman: An Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New
York: Garland Publishing, 1998).