[San Jose,
November 20, 1894.]
Since writing you yesterday, dear Blanche, I have observed that the
benefit to * * * is not abandoned--it is to occur in the evening of
the 26th, at Golden Gate Hall, San Francisco. I recall your kind offer
to act for me in any way that I might wish to assist Miss * * *. Now,
I will not have my name connected with anything that the * * * woman
and her sister-in-evidence may do for their own glorification, but I
enclose a Wells, Fargo & Co. money order for all the money I can
presently afford--wherewith you may do as you will; buy tickets, or
hand it to the treasurer in your own name. I know Miss * * * must be
awfully needy to accept a benefit--you have no idea how sensitive and
suspicious and difficult she is. She is almost impossible. But there
are countless exactions on my lean purse, and I must do the rest with
my pen. So--I thank you.
Sincerely your friend,
AMBROSE BIERCE.
[18 Iowa Circle, Washington, D. C.,
January 1, 1901.]