WOODBINE ENTERTAINS 127 



characteristic communication from him, which I trans- 

 late: 



"N i j ni-No vgor od, 



"Sept. 10, 1894. 

 "Mv DEAR WOODBINE MOSES: 



"I should not be surprised if in that fine Woodbine 

 town Vladimir Korolenko is being badly scolded; he, 

 who in spite of his promise to write about Woodbine, 

 hasn't even answered your letter. But, if in Woodbine 

 they could know just what happened to Vladimir 

 Korolenko during this time, they would be more lenient 

 with him. 



"First: Do you remember my story of my little 

 girl, whom I left back in Russia? I then told you 

 how she had held on to my neck and would not let 

 go. I well remember recounting this story one evening, 

 when we were all gathered around your samovar 

 September 1, according to the Russian calendar but 

 there was no more Lyolya at that time. I found a 

 telegram upon my arrival in Paris, announcing her 

 death. My wife, who was at the time visiting her 

 brother in Rumania, was unaware of the fact, and I 

 had to take her this sad news. For six long nights 

 and days without a stop I was traveling to Galetz and 

 then to Tulchz. Now, what is there to say? You will 

 easily comprehend my feelings at the time. Upon my 

 return to Russia my two other little girls became ill 

 with diphtheria, one after another in my sister's home ; 

 a boy, already in high school, took scarlet fever and 

 died four days later. 



"These were the conditions that met me upon my 

 return to Russia. Now you see clearly the reason why 

 I did not write to you. As a matter of fact, I have 



