American socialite and writer (1810-1877) who became one of the first female southern writers to achieve national recognition. ALS, four pages on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 8, April 27, 1874. Lengthy handwritten letter to a friend, relating the story of a pickpocket. In part: "Faithful to my promise, I write to tell you of my safe arrival here. When I reached Baltimore, Octavia was so ill that I concluded to hasten to N.Y. at once, where she could see our Physician, who has before attended her. We left B. on last Saturday, and the rain poured in torrents all day. Coming up in the university cars, quite a misfortune occurred to poor Octavia. The crowd was very great and a large, well-dressed man sprang up and offered her a seat, pushing her rudely into it. He then rang the bell, and promptly out. A few moments afterwards, she put her hand on her watch, to see the hour, when she found the adroit thief had cut the ring of the watch, and had stolen it. We called to the conductor and he said it was doubtlessly taken by one of the two men sitting together who had ridden one block only…it is lost forever. You can well imagine my poor darling's grief, for it was the last gift of her dear father, and was of unestimable value to her, apart from the value of the watch. The result of the shock has been a fearful nervous prostration and serious illness…Everything is cheerless here. The snow is falling fast, and all is so chill & cold." In fine condition, with a few small stains on the last page.
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