Clearest sky I ever saw—norwest quite purple—Snow white on roofs and posts—Lake steaming, seething, cold-compressed—freezing—unusual, not Known in years past—never—at so early a day—Christmass.
God bless you Walt, You are badly stricken—never to recover—to be as you once were—erect, vigorous—none of us can be, and yet you are blessed with and by a large heart, full of humanity—sympathies for all and everyone—for Han1 duk.00456.002_large.jpgparticularly—She is much stricken, Walt—gray—thin, her hair blanched—whitened—her hands shrunken—the bones protruding as it were—yet she has staunchly kneaded bread and made a sweet loaf for herself, she has been craving after, several days—The public have treated us well—1 ton of coal now in use, sent by Isham J. Bliss, Episcopal clergyman, an old friend—50 lbs choice flour—3 fowls and a turkey, by other friends unknown—bread, sugars—teas, coffee—Lou2 sent 1 Ham—delicious—cake—jellies—coffee duk.00456.003_large.jpg tea—delicious—and clothing for Han—also 2 dollars—nothing for me—I am unworthy, although I entreated but for 5 dollars, to help pay my interest of 15 at the Bank. Your donation of 5 came very timely—I had sold a small painting for 10—I send you the bank rect—very stupid and very mean I consider George3 and Lou to be—We might have been attacked—and compelled to raise the amt—so small—after so many years.
One more claim for flagging side walk, $86. I have paid up nearly all. I think that I can settle balance for 10$—Have some expectations of selling a painting cheap—I am bad off for clothes—I botbought duk.00456.004_large.jpg a pair of stockings for self for 30 cents, all I have had this winter— any shoes are worn out—botbought last winter—hurting feet now—God! What a country! People! World—Yet I can eat and sleep—I rekindle at 5 O'clock and have a warm house—first in the kitchen—Han is not well, yet does for herself—I get mad sometimes—sorry—don't meant to. Bless you Walt for the 5 dollars—Han has about 10 dollars a-head for herself.—
Good bye Walt, our Friend in Deed. CharlieCorrespondent:
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).