Creator
Janet D[ouglass] Moores
Recipient
John Muir
Transcription
[Page 5]
232 N. Alabama St., [Indianapolis, Ind.],
Wednesday, May 5th, 1880.
My dear Mr. Muir,
I shall callyou that, even if you are married, for you had no business to take such an important step without asking our advice. Perhaps you do not know that you have been our sweetheart since we were little things, Katie and I. Now that I have made you aware of the fact, imagine our feelings on hearing of your desertion. If it had not come from so reliable a source, Prof. Jordan, we could not have believed it. Well, as it must be so, I suppose we shall have to congratulate you and the young lady who is so happy as to be Mrs. John Muir. I cannot bear to write the name. Mr. Muir, how could you do it? She must be as fair and sweet and natural as one of your dear wild flowers. Please tell us about her, and send her picture to us, and inform her that we will not allow you to stop writing to us, for we have the first claim.
One of my first thoughts after reading the astounding intelligence was, "What beautiful letters, poems rather, that fortunate young lady must have received!" If Mr. M. wrote such delightful ones to us, how much more must these have breathed of the beauty and happiness of the world of John Muir!" Can you understand that? I doubt whether I can myself. I should like to know very much whether you addressed her in the same language as that in which you talked to the little "water ouzel." Is she a bird or a flower, a fairy, a nymph, a disguised princess, or simply a woman after Wordsworth's heart and your own? And this is the secret of your coming back next winter? Be sure that we shall be glad to see you both and we shall like Mrs. Muir for your sake if not for her own.
So you have met our friend Prof. Jordan. Kate and I were in some anxiety lest you should not fancy each other. It has happily turned out to the contrary. The Professor writes (you must not tell him that I told you this) that "Mr. Muir is a brilliant man in his quiet way, in addition to which he is a good fellow and I like him." That is tremendous praise from Prof. Jordan, for he rarely commends.
I wish that you could go abroad with our party in '81. Kate and I have made up our minds to go, though the trip seems visionary enough, looking at it so far ahead. Next to finding new species of fish there is nothing the Professor likes so well as taking nice girls and boys over historic mountains. These are his words. Do you want to hear something more about us? I have told you about Merrill, what an active, nervous, enthusiastic bad and good fellow he is -- no bad habits, unless being extremely fond of society and of excitement is one. We have a great many friends, a natural consequence of having lived here all our lives. Occasionally every evening in the week is taken up, so you can understand that Indianapolis life is considerably faster than it once was. I don't think it is right to spend one's time and strength in this way, but it is very enjoyable and how is one to put a stop to it? I belong to five societies, "The Woman's Club of Indianapolis", a French class for conversation and fun, a "Young Folk's Social Club," a "Missionary Society" and a "Shakespeare class." With occasional papers and entertainments to get up, these are not play, not all play, anyhow. Sometimes I think that I should like to go with Mama and the boys and some particular girl friend to some beautiful quiet country and let society alone, except the sweet society of books and "out-of-doors." Our Vermont summer was after that style, and I'm sure that it was a happy one. But you must not think that we are unhappy here. Far from it! We only seem to accomplish so little on account of constant interruptions. Charles is now at "Butler" with Aunt Kate and intends spending next year and the year after with Charley Merrill at Wabash College. They are splendid fellows, "if I do say it, who shouldn't," fond of study and fond of fun, and, shall I admit it? fond of girls. There were two little girls whom they used to share, but were scarcely able to tell which they liked better. Charles complained to me once that whenever he settled down on one, Charley flopped over too.It is very amusing, but it is to be hoped that they will get over their nonsense before long. The other children are growing up fair and strong.
[Page 6]
2
[Letter of Janet Moores to John Muir, dated May 5th, 1880, continued]
There are very few little Graydons now. Julia and Willie are ten and eight. But there are any number of little Ketchams whose acquaintance you can made, if you wish. Aunt Kate and the other aunts are in ordinary health, and mama would be pretty well except for the fact that cleaning house is not exhilarating.
With regard to what Kate told you about Charley Gilbert, please take her nonsense for what it is worth. He is a friend and classmate. I admire and like him -- that is all. I wish I could have my revenge on Kate, but I dare not. And I wish also that there were more Prof. Jordans and Mr. Muirs in the world -- a vain wish.
Goodbye, health and happiness to you both.
Yours,
Janet D. Moores
Mr. Davis sends word that you have treated us in a very shabby way, and Miss Eliza Hendricks says that she has picked out a good many nice wives for you. Alas, her efforts were of no avail! These flowers are from our yard. Mama sends love.
894
Location
[Indianapolis, Ind]
Date Original
1880 May 5
Source
Original letter dimensions: 21.5 x 15 cm.
Recommended Citation
Moores, Janet Douglass, "Letter from Janet D[ouglass] Moores to John Muir, 1880 May 5." (1880). John Muir Correspondence (PDFs). 547.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/muir-correspondence/547
Resource Identifier
muir04_0156-md-1.pdf
File Identifier
Reel 04, Image 0155
Collection Identifier
Online finding aid for the microform version of the John Muir Correspondence http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt0w1031nc
Copyright Status
Copyright status unknown
Copyright Statement
Some letters written to John Muir may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Owning Institution
Holt-Atherton Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library. Please contact this institution directly to obtain copies of the images or permission to publish or use them beyond educational purposes.
Pages
6 pages
Keywords
Environmentalist, naturalist, travel, conservation, national parks, John Muir, Yosemite, California, history, correspondence, letters
