12 January 1871
The Mighty Richardson
Richard Glotnik
c/o Rigby's Amazing Circus
Box 7
Coram, NY
Richard,
I hope that this letter finds you well. I am usually in good spirits when I write to you, friend, and I should be considering the joy that is to happen here tomorrow, but I find that I can’t summon my usual spirited jocularity. I wrote to you earlier about Wilson’s very sudden departure, my dismissal and severance, and the mysterious happenings leading up to Sir Cosmo’s wedding. Why, oh why, did they choose Friday the 13th to be betrothed.
I am still here in England both because I was specifically invited by his Lordship and the future Lady Copperthwaite, and because I must help clear the names of and prevent further mischief to these fine people I have known here by villainous forces all around us. I would not budge from this spot for either, but I know that both will be resolved very soon.
After that, I must say I do not know what is to become of me. The sporting life has proven largely a bust for me in this country, not that I could pursue it as I’d like in my current state anyway. I have some open ended modeling contracts, but they aren’t enough for full sustenance, and I’m not the type to stand about my entire life anyway. I have already turned away a serious opportunity at performing at what has now revealed to be a most inopportune moment.
Despite my finest attempts to blend in with the gentlemen of this nation, I am as much an outsider here as I am in my own country. I would not even find my place in the country of my birth, and considering how divided it is and how poor it remains, ‘tis the better for me for it. I know that it would be wonderful to perform alongside you again, it was fine times. But while you had and continue a performers contract and billing, I had indentured servitude, and I can never forgive Old Man Rigby for that. And I can think of nothing to do other than to black the eye of that foul little Phineus Barnum. So, no return to American Circuses for “Atlas” either.
But, perhaps you might see me there soon to visit if I cannot find another path in England. I will miss some of these headers here deeply, but I must eat, and I assume after a quiet wedding (it had BETTER be quiet) that things will at last become normal for these people, and I will have to find a means of feeding myself before all of these notes slip through my fingers, as so many have before them. Say hello to Magda, Madame Mushu, Perky, Clacky, and the girls for me. Play to the back row and I hope you leave them with smiling faces and empty pockets wherever you go this season.
Your friend,
Seamus
Proceed to These may be of some urgency
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