EDWARD EVERETT HALE - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 09/22/1896 - HFSID 35881

EDWARD EVERETT HALE
Edward Everett Hale wrote this letter on his personalized stationery in 1896 to persuade the recipient to accept an invitation from a friend.
Autograph letter signed "Edward E Hale". 4 pages, 5¼x7¾, on Hale's personalized stationery. Sept. 22, 1896. In full: "Dear Miss Smith:- Miss Adams has told you that the she is prevented from going to Shelburne. I was with Miss Lee-man when she invited Miss Adams and you. I think it may save may sav [sic] a day , if I write to you to day that Miss Adams's absence will not, in any way, change the fact her invitation to you. I knew that she is very hopeful that you can come,- and that it will be a sad disappointment if you cannot. She is so lonely - by the absence of some near fiends - that I hope you will be able to go- If you will take the train which passes [illegible] north-ward at one o'clock or thereabouts, taking ticket for [illegible] - you will arrive there at Sorham at 6 p.m. If Miss F knows you are coming she will come and meet you at [illegible]. But if she do [sic] not [illegible] - I think is the man's name, whose carriage is at the station, will find you are to her haste You will [illegible] that it is in Shelburne the north side of Lead Mine Bridge, the name next the School House and Miss Whitney's.* If it is more convenient for you to go to Portland the afternoon train from that place, arrivs [sic] at Shelburn at 8.30. and she will [illegible] there. If by any accident you should arriv [sic] there and not find her car riage [sic] there is a neat and comfortable hotel at Shelburn near the station. Pardon me if I say that [illegible] if you know how much she is attracted to you [illegible] how easily she looks [illegible] to a [illegible].Truly yours". Footnote on page 3: "I arrived by this road at h her house a little after seven." Hale (1822-1909, born in Boston, Massachusetts) was Pastor of the South Congregational Church in Boston (1856-1901) and Chaplain of the U.S. Senate from 1903 to his death. Hale, a prolific author of both history and popular fiction, is best remember today for his patriotic tale Man Without a Country (1863). Lightly toned, soiled, stained and creased. Pen skipped in places while writing letter. Signature and body of letter is lightly smeared in places but is legible. Light dents on left edge of second sheet. Folded twice and unfolded. Otherwise in fine condition.