On January 12, 1898, Alice Ruth Moore in Brooklyn wrote an imaginative letter to her fiancé Paul Laurence Dunbar in Washington, D. C., describing her wish for a child. She referred to Paul as her husband, although they were not yet married.
Oh how often have I sat with closed eyes and seen ourselves in our home loving and trusting each other, living for each other. I have seen myself sitting by you resting my head on your knee while we talked and talked. Monday night, I lay awake for an hour while picture after picture glided before me. And do you know what was the sweetest one? Dare I tell you? It was one where you bent over me and kissed a little wee Something in my arms that I insisted upon calling Paul too! Oh my husband I trembled at the happiness of the thought, and burying my face in my hands prayed God to make us both worthy of such joy.
Alice Ruth Moore to Paul Laurence Dunbar, January 12, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
In other letters, both before and after their wedding, Paul and Alice discussed the possibility of having children. The Dunbars got married in March 1898, and almost immediately Alice began to wonder if she was pregnant.
Paul -- Paul, eleven days may be an awful short time in which to draw conclusions -- but, but, but. I have so many queer things happening, the sudden stopping of -- well something being the worst.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Paul Laurence Dunbar, March 15, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
My fears of yesterday are vanished. I really thought all sorts of things had happened to me -- imagination simply provoked symptoms. So I rushed to Dr. Parrish Sunday. Sat down and looked mournful and he guessed the rest. I strung out a long list of symptoms and was very blushing about it. Well, he gave me a thorough examination and reported everything all right. Still I was unconvinced. Then he looked out of the window.
"When did you see your husband last?" (For "see" substitute any old thing.)
"Friday," I sobbed.
"And when before that?"
"November." More sobs.
Then did Dr. Parrish throw his head back and roar and roar and roar. "How on earth do you expect me to know anything in ten days?" he inquired in the midst of his laughter -- and hustled me home. But -- the county is safe now.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Paul Laurence Dunbar, March 16, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
I am at work, but my throat is still very bad, and really seems to get no better. But enough of my ailments. I cannot say that I am glad yours were fancied, had rather hoped -- but I must wait I suppose.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Moore Dunbar, March 19, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Three years later, Alice again wondered if she was pregnant. Paul was on an extended trip to Jacksonville, Florida, so she wrote to tell him that her "country cousin" (or menstrual period) was delayed. However, it was the Dunbars' cat Arundel that gave birth instead of Alice.
I am lonesome for you and especially at night when I go up to my room all alone, with nobody to snuggle with. Hope the old country cousin will not appear and that you will know something definite by the time I get home.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Moore Dunbar, March 25, 1901. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Such a nice long, lonesome Sunday. The most thrilling items I have to record are that my country cousin arrived on an early train this morning and Arundel has three babies in an excelsior barrel in the coal shed. Poor Arundel! The cares of maternity don't seem to set well upon her shoulders. She promised humbly to try and inculcate them into the ways of proper kitten-hood.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Paul Laurence Dunbar, March 24, 1901. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
The Dunbars were together through four years of marriage, but did not have any children. After Paul's death, Alice married two more times but remained childless.