On August 30, 1898, Alice Moore Dunbar in West Medford, Massachusetts, wrote affectionately to her husband Paul Laurence Dunbar in Washington, D. C. The Dunbars had been married for less than six months, but were experiencing a lengthy separation due to domestic conflict. Alice was living with her family near Boston, and Paul had recently visited and met his in-laws for the first time.
Oh, I do miss my hubbins so. I wish you were here. Write as often as you can darling, and tell me if you love, even a weenty bit.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Paul Laurence Dunbar, August 30, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
After returning to Washington, Paul sent some gifts to his in-laws. Alice's sister Leila and her mother Patricia both wrote appreciative letters thanking him.
Your very elegant presents came this morning and I must confess that I do not know how to thank you. In order to show you how much I appreciate your present to me, I intend to always wear my quiet yet rich gift. Thank you ever so much. We were extremely sorry to have you go away so hurriedly and regret exceedingly that you could not have remained with us longer. I sincerely hope to have you visit us again. Alice is well and getting along nicely. We are so glad to be able to keep her a little longer.
Leila Moore Young to Paul Laurence Dunbar, September 1, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
My Dear Boy, I was so very sorry that you had to leave so soon. I hope you had a nice time here and I wanted to see more of you. Many thanks for your gift. Alice is so happy and now I have nothing to worry me. I know that you are as kind as you can be. May God bless you, my dear boy, take good care of yourself.
Patricia Moore to Paul Laurence Dunbar, September 2, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Despite Paul's pleasant visit and thoughtful gifts, the Dunbars' marital strife remained unresolved. Alice continued to live with her family, uncertain of when she might return to her husband.
The presents you sent the folks were very lovely and tasteful, and were very much appreciated by them. I feel like stealing them for myself. I am faulty and frail, and so far from your ideal -- as far as every mortal is from every other mortal's ideal -- and I only irritate and anger you, and hinder you in your work -- even when I try to help and think I am helping. Oh, dear heart, I am so bitterly discouraged. I have tried so hard, so hard, and it is all unavailing. I suppose I am utterly unfit, and it's no use. I am beginning to think you don't love me now, for how can you love a woman who persistently does the wrong thing, and destroys your ideals and hurts your work? I have prayed until it seems to me that Heaven must in pity show me the right path, but it doesn't seem to be any use. I just go on blundering and doing wrong -- and suffering pitiably.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Paul Laurence Dunbar, September 1, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).