On March 30, 1898, Alice Moore Dunbar in Brooklyn wrote to her husband Paul Laurence Dunbar in Washington, D. C., expressing her hopes for their future happiness. They had married a few weeks earlier in a secret civil ceremony and were living far apart, but Alice was planning to resign from her teaching job and join Paul at his home in Washington.
I can't write you anything tonight save I love you, I love you, I love you. You asked me had my love grown cold? Heavens no. I fear sometimes it is sinful for it is passionate, so intense, so deep. Oh Paul, we shall be ideally happy, I know; for when we are together there will be no clouds -- nothing but deep, earnest love.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Paul Laurence Dunbar, March 30, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Over the next few days, Alice expressed similar feelings in her letters to Paul. For years, they had faced obstacles in their relationship, and it seemed that the barriers between them were finally coming down.
I am so happy, so happy. The thought of coming to you soon is setting my blood afire and I am almost beside myself with joy. I sit and dream and dream and dream of the days to come, of the hours that I will spend at your side.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Paul Laurence Dunbar, March 31, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
I am all anxiety, eagerness, tenderness for the day to come when I will be with you forever. Just two weeks, darling, just two weeks. Can you imagine the day? Darling, I do love you so much. I am so happy in having you for my husband -- I am so certain that we will be the happiest two birds that ever went nesting together. I love you so much. I don't know how to say it -- It seems to me that for a week after I come to you I want to lay my head on your shoulder and say nothing -- just feel that we are together.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Paul Laurence Dunbar, April 2, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Because they lived in distant cities, Paul and Alice planned their new home by mail. Anticipating the arrival of his wife, Paul purchased five pieces of furniture for $37.
In preparation for my expected happiness, I have been looking at some bedroom furniture. I have seen a bird's eye maple dresser and washstand for you, the two for $70.00. Shall I get them? They are really beauties, though high.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Moore Dunbar, March 13, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Don't buy the maple-wood affair. I prefer white with brass trimmings or oak. Get an oak chiffonier for yourself, and a white wood affair for me. Were you able to have the twin beds? Of course they will be superfluous for the present, but later on -- say in about ten months or so -- they will be quite necessary. Dotted swiss curtains with ruffles for our room and lots of blue -- I love blue.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Paul Laurence Dunbar, March 14, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
I got the birds-eye maple things after all dear, because they are white and look much richer than the white furniture which always strikes me as cheap looking. I didn't know which you would prefer, a dresser or dressing table, so I got the former -- an oak chiffonier, too, for myself.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Moore Dunbar, March 26, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Mr. P. L. Dunbar to House & Hermann
Furniture, Carpets, Draperies, Stoves
1 W Stand 5.00
1 Dresser 16.00
1 Maple Chair 2.00
1 Rocker 2.25
1 Couch 12.0037.25
Dis .25
37.00Receipt from House & Hermann, March 26, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 2).