On December 18, 1897, Alice Ruth Moore in Brooklyn wrote to her fiancé Paul Laurence Dunbar in Washington, D. C., suggesting that they deceive her physician. About a month earlier, Alice had been injured during a sexual encounter with Paul. She was being treated by Dr. John W. Parrish, who had a practice in Brooklyn Heights about eight blocks from where she lived.
The doctor doesn't do anything especial to make me ashamed. I simply am ashamed to think what he knows of me. But when he sends in his bill to me I'm going to send it to you -- and let you pay him, and I want you to tell a fib for me -- simply write him, thanking him for his kindness to your wife. Will you? Give him the impression that we have been secretly married for some time, will you?
Alice Ruth Moore to Paul Laurence Dunbar, December 18, 1897. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 1).
Paul and Alice had been engaged for nearly a year, but were not yet married. Paul agreed to go along with Alice's deception, though it was several weeks before he paid the doctor's bill. Paul planned to go to New York City for a poetry recitation and was concerned that Dr. Parrish might come to the event and reproach him.
I enclose you the Doctor's bill. Are you going to write that letter? Whenever you do, send a check, not money order. A check looks so much more stylish and dignified. Say, dear, if you do write it, send the letter to me first. I want to laugh over it, for I want to call on the Doctor demurely the next day after he receives it. I am still under his treatment. It will be some time before I am entirely well.
Alice Ruth Moore to Paul Laurence Dunbar, January 4, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Assuredly I will write the letter to the doctor and send him a check. I will settle it as soon as possible.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, January 5, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Have you attended to Dr. Parrish's bill yet? I hate to ask you about it, but you know I must.
Alice Ruth Moore to Paul Laurence Dunbar, January 22, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Haven't paid Dr. P. yet but hope to drop him a check in a week or less. Will send you the letter.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, January 26, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Don't worry about the doctor, dear. I have not paid him this week because I am so soon to see you and you must help me compose the letter to him or go on and compose it yourself and I will copy it. Another reason, I was afraid he would see me advertised to read and come to look at the brute he knows about, and I could not read if I thought he was in the audience looking at me, so I thought to let him wait until I had been and returned.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, February 9, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
I enclose the check for the doctor and the letter for him. Don't mail the doctor's letter from Brooklyn.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, February 15, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Your letter to Dr. P. was very pretty and gentle. Only you omitted to enclose the bill or mention my name, so he probably will wonder at first what you are driving at. I mailed it in New York.
Alice Ruth Moore to Paul Laurence Dunbar, February 16, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
After the bill was paid, Dr. Parrish sent a receipt to Alice and a brief letter to Paul. The doctor seemed to accept the story that Alice was married to Paul.
Please accept my thanks for check of seventeen dollars in payment of bill to Jan 1, 98. You evidently forgot to enclose the bill as it was not in the envelope. I will certainly do all that I can to bring your wife into a perfect state of health.
John W. Parrish to Paul Laurence Dunbar, February 17, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
I have a letter from Dr. Parrish which I enclose together with his bill. What do you think of the letter? It quite puffed me up -- "my wife!"
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, February 18, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Your letter enclosing Dr. P's has just come. He writes very kindly, does he not?
Alice Ruth Moore to Paul Laurence Dunbar, February 19, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
As her next visit to Dr. Parrish approached, Alice began to feel nervous about what he might say, but her worry was unnecessary.
I am all in bad shape again, and that means a trip to the Dr. Friday. I wonder what he'll say when he sees me? You know I haven't seen him since your letter to him.
Alice Ruth Moore to Paul Laurence Dunbar, February 23, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
I was in to see Dr. P. today. I was so afraid he was going to ask questions. But he didn't. He just gave me medicine. I suppose he was waiting for me to begin the conversation. But I didn't -- So!
Alice Ruth Moore to Paul Laurence Dunbar, February 28, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).