I wrote to you a week since,2 as [torn-away] to call upon you and since I have received no [torn-away] I presume my letter failed to reach you. In s[torn-away] I asked the favor of an hour's conversation with [torn-away] which should refer toward an article, which I [torn-away] been requested to write, touching yourself and your poetry. Mr. Kelly,3 the artist, whose work is familiar to magazine readers, proposed to accompany me and make its necessary illustrations.
I understood, but not with sufficient certainty, that Mr. Stoddart,4 had reason to suppose that you would see us,—that he had seen you to that end, in fact. But I feared that some mistake might have occurred and that our purpose had not been made clear; in which case, had we called upon you, we might have been put into an embarrassing position. My former letter was, then, a formal request for permission to see you.
While I am very anxious to effect this object, I am at the same time anxious to avoid crossing your wishes. Only it would be a kindness if you would intimate them. Will you, then, let me know whether it is convenient for you to, see us or not? Your permission would be a favor and, if it must be so, your denial would put an end to my suspense. In either case I should know what to do. I earnestly hope, however, you will understand our motives and our desire to give you as little trouble as possible while we do ourselves this honor of knowing you, better than we can by your printed works.
Very respectfully Charles L. Hildreth 334 W. 35th St New York City. loc.02243.002_large.jpg loc.02243.003_large.jpg loc.02243.004_large.jpgCorrespondent:
Charles Lotin Hildreth
(1853–1896) contributed poetry to Lippincott's Monthly
Magazine and also wrote science fiction. He is best known for such
works as The Mysterious City of OO: Adventures in Orbello
and "The Legend of Edward Mordake."