The Letters of Helen Dennis (6)

This letter from Helen Dennis to her English friend Miss Gosse is, like the previous one, transcribed from a handwritten original, though at present seems to lack the final part (though this may one day be found).

I include it as part of the CWL historical material because she alludes to it, although events in America, and Chicago in particular, have moved on a few years. The text follows:

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5474 East End Ave, Chicago October 8th 1911

My dear friend,

Your last letter, (I am ashamed to write the date) would have been answered long ago if thoughts could precipitate themselves on paper as good wishes could furnish oceans of ink.

I am sorry you are so over worked - Does it pay? I doubt it. I worked under just such pressure while Corr Secy of the E.S. and I am still paying for the strain. It came at a time in my life when a woman should not overtire her nervous system - are you counting this cost? I suppose not and like all overworked people, you will just keep on until something snaps and breaks. You see I got out of it suddenly when for moral reasons I found myself where I could not officially represent Mrs. Besant. So my burden was lifted at once but yours can never be lifted that way and I fear you will go on until the last straw breaks you down - Well this is not pessimism but warning!

To answer your letter as to the T.S. - no I seldom hear any news and seldom see any of the members. Those who felt as I did withdrew and no friends of mine in Chicago remained in. There are a new set of people who know nothing of the X trouble and if they do hear are told that he has repented! They do not see the farce of still regarding as a religious teacher and initiate one convicted of such unspeakable crimes! So they swallow things whole as I once did and some day will wake up as many of us did. Mr & Mrs Chidester remain in the T.S. as a matter of sentiment - they joined it long before X was heard of and believe some day the Society will right itself but [missing material].

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Transcribed and uploaded by Alan Bain, 2 July 1996.