_Dear Sir_,--Eleven weeks and two days ago I heard you did not know
I was living. I am. I live in the Yorkburg Female Orphan Asylum,
and have been living here for nine years and four months and almost
a week. If you had known I was living all these years and had not
made yourself acquainted with me, I would not now write you. But I
heard, by accident, you did not know I had been born, so I am
writing to tell you I was. It happened in Natchez, Miss. I know
that much, but little more, except my father was an actor. I
worship his memory. My mother was named Mary Alden, and you are her
brother. If you would like to know more, and will write and ask me,
I think you will learn something of interest. Not about me, but
there are other people in this world.
Respectfully,