Walter Whitman Storms to Walt Whitman, 9 March 1874

 loc_gt.00205_large.jpg Pascack Mar. 9th 1874 Mr. Whitman Dear Sir

I received your letter1 some three weeks ago, but have not had much chance to answer it untill​ now. I am alone at home, with my brothers—Papa2 & Mother are gone visiting to Uncle John's Father's-in-law.3

Garrie4 and I have been to school to day,—the teacher was pretty cross.

A great many people are dying around here this winter and spring. I attended two funerals yesterday. Our undertaker hd​ six orders for coffins last Saturday.

An old gentleman 65 years of age, was coming to our house with a basket  loc_gt.00206_large.jpg of eggs, for papa to take to Paterson to market, when he fell down in the road, and expired in an hour or two.

Papa, George & I had quite a tramp last week—we went to New York Monday morning with the first train and came back Tuesday night. Monday morning we went to Fulton Ferry, and found Uncle George5 at work, driving stage—We went up town in his stage, & then walked up to the Park, where we spent about 2 Hours—saw a great many anamiles​ , a few birds, &c, &c., but the monkeys, were best of all—We then went down town, and got dinner, then walked up broadway​ to 14th St. here we met Uncle George, on his way down town, and Papa went with him, while George, & I went to a Museum of Art6—We saw a great many things to amuse us, such as paintings, [torn-away]  loc_gt.00207_large.jpg on wood & on stone, ancient armour, ancient dishes, Books, &c. &c. When we came from there we went to the cor.​ of 14th St. & B.way​ , to meet Papa—we then walked around, seeing all we could, till we got very tired—then we went and sat down awhile, & then up to 43rd st. to meet Uncle George—then we soon went to bed.

Tuesday we took the street cars, & went to the Park, walked through the Park, & took the street cars to High Bridge. Here we saw a fine structure—we were there awhile & then took the Hud.​ R. R R to 43rd st. We now got down town​ , over the ferry, & home.

I have written this, but dont​ know if it will interest you or not.

There fell some snow Friday, & is not gone yet, it is quite cold.  loc_gt.00208_large.jpg Garrie, George, Dick, & May, are amusing themselves by riding one another around the room, on their Backs.

Now, I have written a good long letter, & you must answer it soon.

I hope you will improve with the warm weather.

So Good Bye from your loving friend Walt. Whitman Storms.

P.S. I gave Uncle George the letter you sent me, & he said he would write to you, but if he will or not I do not know.

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Notes

• 1. This letter has not been located. [back]
• 2. Herman Storms, a driver, visited Whitman with other drivers in 1876. Whitman lists Storms's address as "Pascock p.o. Bergen co. N.J." in his notebook (Edward F. Grier, ed., Notes and Unpublished Prose Manuscripts [New York: New York University Press, 1961–84], 2:481). [back]
• 3. As yet we have no information about this person. [back]
• 4. Garrie Storms, one of Walter's younger brothers. Walter had two additional brothers: George Storms (1863–1888), and Richard Storms (1867–1939). He also had a sister, Mary Storms (1866–1905). [back]
• 5. George Storms was a New York driver, and the uncle of Walt Whitman Storms, with whom Whitman corresponded in the 1870s. [back]
• 6. Storms may be referring to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is located in Central Park at 1000 5th Avenue, New York City. [back]