On September 24, 1893, Rebekah Baldwin in Washington, D. C., wrote for the first time to Paul Laurence Dunbar in Dayton. They met in Chicago earlier that year at the World's Columbian Exposition, where Paul worked at the Haitian Pavilion.
How quickly the days have sped since you and I stood together on the steps and bade each other goodbye! It seems like yesterday that I sat by your side in the Haitian Pavilion listening to your voice in praise or blame (more often the latter) of my humble self. Those were pleasant hours, my friend, and I shall not soon forget them. A few months ago when I was reading of you, and so warmly admiring your talents and genius, I little thought that one day I should call you "friend." I thought of you last night, mon ami, and tried very hard to put into action those forces or conditions by which my thoughts might reach you. It was a perfect night, and I know, had you been near, you would have put it into rhyme, for 'twas indeed a night fit to be made into a poem.
Rebekah Baldwin to Paul Laurence Dunbar, September 24, 1893. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 1).
Baldwin taught in the Washington school system, where she tried unsuccessfully to help Paul get a job in 1894. They saw each other in 1895 and 1896 when Paul visited Washington, and again when he moved there in 1897. Baldwin expressed jealousy over Paul's interest in Alice Ruth Moore, whom he married in 1898. Over the years, Baldwin wrote Paul many lyrical, dramatic and affectionate letters.
I wish you were here just now to talk "soft nonsense" to me as only a poet can. I would not miss the sunshine of the day then, for your rare rich voice setting your own sweet poems to music (your voice sets everything to music) would make a sunshine in my heart. And now, oh gifted son of the Muses, to their divine inspiration I again commend thee! Adieu.
Rebekah Baldwin to Paul Laurence Dunbar, December 3, 1893. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 1).
Paul! Paul!! This wail of agony comes to you from your perishing Rebekah! Yes, dear, I fear life for me is o'er -- I am slowly fading -- no melting away. Oh this awful heat! I have mercifully put the thermometer in the ice-chest for it had bravely struggled upward until I could bear its torrid climb no longer, so seizing it from the wall I thrust it into the ice-box, thereby saving its mercurial existence. And you Paul! Are you keeping cool in that delightful bit of paradise? How I wish I were there too! Then we would go and sit on the bank of some shadowy stream, some cool delightful spot, one of Nature's poems -- a poem made of sparkling waters, fair flowers, stately trees, waving grasses and an arch of heaven's blue above -- a poem set to music in the leaves' melodious rustle and the ripple of the stream. You would read or recite to me Paul and the music of your voice would blend with that of leaf and stream and with the Muses, hand in hand entwined we would wander for long hours forgetful of all else.
Rebekah Baldwin to Paul Laurence Dunbar, June 23, 1894. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 1).
After spending two weeks, most delightfully, in Baltimore, I arrived home yesterday to find your letter awaiting me -- a fitting crown of happiness for the pleasant days I'd spent. To have them end with a letter from you was indeed a joyous consummation. It was such a nice letter, too Paul, so like yourself. I would like to know what it is, mon ami, that you can only write me nice letters when you write "wildly," as you say you were, when this one was written. If you were wild when you wrote this one, Paul, go mad when you write the next, and write it soon.
Rebekah Baldwin to Paul Laurence Dunbar, July 18, 1894. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 1).
There need never come into your life, my friend, a time when you can no longer call me "dear," unless of course your wife objects, for certainly my husband, if ever I have one, will be too sensible to object to his wife enjoying the distinguished honor of a correspondence with "Paul Dunbar" - and that you should address her "dear" would be the source of much gratification (since it would be indicative of your friendship for her) to a husband as sensible and appreciative as I hope mine shall be. That we shall always be friends is my most earnest wish.
Rebekah Baldwin to Paul Laurence Dunbar, December 13, 1894. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 1).
What a delightful evening we spent together on the 3rd. I do not know when I have enjoyed anything so much as your conversation and our tea. Why, dear, I had no idea you brewed such delicious tea! But then almost any tea would savor of divine nectar when taken in your company while listening to your charming conversation. Paul, when am I to have the pleasure of reading one of your stories? You say you write love stories best. I want to read some of them, that I may know your idea of what love is and how it affects the human heart. Does it bring happiness or woe to the beings of your fancy? I would know the graces with which you clothe your heroines. I would know with what qualities you invest the woman who makes your hero fall down and worship at her feet. Send me one, Paul, that I may read and learn, for I am certain that your ideal woman will creep into some of your stories.
Rebekah Baldwin to Paul Laurence Dunbar, February 13, 1895. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 1).
Strange, is it not my friend, that from the very first we were attracted toward each other? Will you forget that night on which we met? I cannot -- a crowded reception room, a formal introduction, and then I listened to the music of your voice. I hear it yet -- that rich, mellow full toned voice and think that I have heard none so beautiful. How I wish I could have been with you that night when you wrote me your last letter. I cannot tell you how your beautiful description of it charmed me! How much more then would I have been delighted could you have held my hand, and sung to me the beauties of the night in the music of a voice whose very memory is an ecstasy!
Rebekah Baldwin to Paul Laurence Dunbar, July 20, 1895. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 1).