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RIGGS HOUSE, WASHINGTON, D. C. C. W. SPOFFORD, Proprietor. Oct. 21, 1882. Dear Taylor: Yesterday, with Burdette of The Hawkeye, I went over into Camden N. J. and saw Walt Whitman. I returned the night before in Philadelphia, and Burdette came from a like appointment in Harrisburg, and we swooped jointly on the "Good Gray." - And he is a good old man surely! He seems very old. A year ago we tried to see him, but failed. - that was my first appearance in Phil., introduced by Burdette, whose appearances, by-the-bye, I have never ceased to think was the occasion of the great reception I had. Anyway, my dear friend, I think of you this minute - and every other gracious one that ever comes to me. I owe you so much! Always, when you begin to think that I remember nothing, remember that I remember everything. There are no
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words to express even to you my mood to-night - but you don't need words, and so its all plausable and most eloquent wind among the leaves, "Aint it, Pip?" We only get glimpses of things we love. So you have been taken from me. - So, too, I try to think you will say "Riley has been denied me!" May be you wont say it literally, but when you get this, I wish you'd "thirst tend like it," anyhow! This season is to be a busy one with me - or so it promises. I am so hungry, my dear friend, for my own. (When I am to see you again I don't know! ...When??? Doc Cooper comes still to Indpl's once-ina-while. Aint he a "full-grown cherub?" I love him and I love you and I cant marry you both, of course! There are signs of my literary growth all the time. Am I to succeed really? Echo answers, - ( ) The tribute you wrote me - no man ever paid another a more better, or pathetic in ? Always, J. W. Riley
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Biggs House, WASHINGTON, D. C. C. W. SPOFFORD, PROPRIETOR. [postmark] WASHINGTON, D. C. OCT 22 1882 Rev. H. S. Taylor, Dayton, Ky.
