28 THE BRONX SOCIETY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. 



wrote N. P. Willis, " for years the most touching sight to 

 us, in this whole city, has been that tireless minister to genius, 

 thinly and insufficiently clad, going from office to office with 

 a poem, or an article on some literary subject, to sell — some- 

 times simply pleading in a broken voice that he was ill, and 

 begging for him, mentioning nothing hut that 'he was ill,' 

 whatever might he the reason for his writing nothing — and 

 never, amid all her tears and recitals of distress, suffering one 

 syllable to escape her lips that could convey a doubt of him. 

 or a complaint, or a lessening of pride in his genius and good 

 intentii his." 



But with the falling leaves fell destitution. In her bed- 

 chamber, scant and poverty-stricken, yet so purely clean, lay 

 the wife. Only a white counterpane and sheets covered the 

 straw bed. She was wrapped in her husband's great coat, and 

 a large tortoise-shell cat lay on her bosom, giving warmth to 

 her chilled frame. 



Idie visitor who tells us this enlisted the sympathies of Mrs. 

 M. L. Shew, the daughter of a physician, and full of charity. 

 All we need to know of the blessed presence of this woman 

 in the Fordham home, can be understood, without comment, 

 from this letter, one of the most touching in our language, 

 and written but two days before Virginia's death. 



"Kindest dearest Friend — My poor Virginia yet lives, 

 although failing fast and now suffering much pain. May 

 God grant her life until she sees you and thanks you once 

 again. Her bosom is full to overflowing — like my own — 

 with a boundless, inexpressible gratitude to you. Lest she 

 may never see you more — she bids me say that she sends you 

 her sweetest kiss of love and will die blessing you. But come, 

 oh come tomorrow. Yes, I will be calm; everything you so 

 nobly wish to see me. My mother sends you. also, her warm- 

 est love and thanks. She begs me to ask you. if possible, to 

 make arrangements at home so that you may stay with us 

 tomorrow. I enclose the order to the Postmaster. Heaven 

 bless you and farewell. Edgar A. Poe." 



