Letter from Emma Stebbins to Annie Fields, Feb 8, 1872

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[page 1] My dear Annie.
I have been long wiling [?, sic] to send you greetings, and thanks for your remembrance of me when you with others, thought I must be with Miss Cushman, during her last visit to Boston
It was pleasant to know I did not go out of your thoughts, when I left your sight. - It did not seem possible to me, to make the long cold +++ she was obliged to make. +++, that my presence because necessary here. though I heartily regretted to lose, all that took place during that visit. - Her progress since then has been equally triumphant. and what is best

[page 2] of all, notwithstanding the intensely severe weather, the long journies and the fatigue of her work. She has stood her ground barely [?], and is now taking her rest at St. Louis I hope & believe well. though I have not yet heard from her. from there
I am myself. keeping better. though much nipped, and feeling the cold to my very marrow. May I ask you dear Annie. to do me a favour with your particular friend, J. T.F? - I intended to write to him myself. but I thought I could not do better than present myself through you, thus interesting you like wire in my suit. It is more a matter of counsel & advice at present [?] than help. though if he by his large experience can suffer [?] way to help. I shall be glad.

[page 3] the question is simply this. I have in my possession the advanced sheets of a story translated from [ß] the French, by a friend in Rome. who wants to dispose of it. It is has been appearing as a serial in the Revue des deux Mondes. and has not to my knowledge been touched yet in this country. It is spirited, clever, intensely interesting and admirably translated. I have eight parts or numbers. we have been reading it aloud. Mrs Garland and myself. and we both think it as very uncommon productions. and sure to take the public taste. It is called "The revenge of +++ Noizel" by Victor Cherbouillet. my object, of course is to dispose of it to the best advantage, better as a serial for some magazine. or to some publisher to produce in book form at once. I would prefer to sell it outright if possible. If J.T.F.

[page 4 – included on page 1] can give me the benefit of his large experience in such matters and will kindly suggest to me how I ought to proceed. he will be not only doing me a great favour. but also a service. where there is need. and where it will not be thrown away.— Should he +++ the advance sheets. I will send them. An early answer in this subject will much oblige. will you make my best remembrances to your Sister, and should you see Miss Whitney as I hope you do sometimes. ask her to let me know that she still lives & thrives
The inexorable mail hour summons me.
yours always affect^ly
ES.