22 January, 1891
Mr. Reuben Crouch,It says something about your character that you figured it out at all. But yes, that was me, and that was my son with me. Your son. His name is Elliot if you don't remember, and he is very much well taken care of. My husband married me knowing I was already with another man's child. I've found there are perks to having childhood friends with deeply empathetic elder brothers.
I admit that I do not know what I expected of you when I wrote. I do not need money or family. Perhaps it is my nature to believe a man ought to know that he has a child just as much as a man deserves to know that a child is not his. In any case, I do not expect you to do anything with the knowledge, but please: do not allow anyone else to know, lest they go digging and reveal their findings publicly. I have dealt with hardship, but I would not wish the shame upon a babe whose parentage is none his fault.
